ProPublica doubles down on steward denials, refuses representation for third union member

This week, ProPublica management confirmed that a third bargaining unit member will be placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) and that, like others, this member will be denied steward representation.

This employee joins two others who were previously told they must meet with managers to receive PIPs without union representation. This would bring the total steward denials up to four this year as the company also denied steward representation at a similar meeting in March.

At the bargaining table yesterday, our Bargaining Committee once again pressed management’s representatives to defend this policy. Management failed. Despite repeated questioning, the company could not identify a single venue where an employee can challenge the terms of an unreasonable or unfair PIP or explain what harm would come from including stewards in one of the most consequential conversations in an employee’s career.

Steward representation at the outset is essential to ensure that our workplace is fair and transparent. There is still time for ProPublica management to do the right thing.