In a sternly worded release, the 26,000-member Newspaper Guild has called for all unpaid writers at The Huffington Post to go on strike.
Here’s more from the release: “The Newspaper Guild is calling on unpaid writers of the Huffington Post to withhold their work in support of a strike launched by Visual Arts Source in response to the company’s practice of using unpaid labor. In addition, we are asking that our members and all supporters of fair and equitable compensation for journalists join us in shining a light on the unprofessional and unethical practices of this company. Just as we would ask writers to stand fast and not cross a physical picket line, we ask that they honor this electronic picket line … Working for free does not benefit workers and undermines quality journalism.”
Do you think this tactic will change the way writers are paid online? Earlier this month, Visual Art Source publisher Bill Lasarow called for unpaid HuffPo bloggers to strike. According to The Wrap, Arianna Huffington told unhappy bloggers “Go ahead, go on strike” at a conference–arguing that her site employs 183 journalists. (Via Newsfeed)