America’s Test Kitchen Workers Vote to Join CWA
PRESS RELEASE
After the Company Failed to Voluntarily Recognize Their Union, an Overwhelming Majority of the Dedicated Team of Workers Behind the Famous Brand Voted to Join CWA
Boston, Mass. — In a historic win for worker organizing in the media industry, an overwhelming majority of workers at America’s Test Kitchen (ATK) have voted for union representation with the Communications Workers of America in a National Labor Relations Board election. The workers, members of ATK United (CWA Local 1400), will now seek to bargain a fair contract that recognizes the value of their contribution to the famous brand and their consumers.
“I am ecstatic about this win,” said Jackie Gochenouer, a photo test cook at ATK. “The executive team says they are willing to negotiate in good faith, and now it’s time to hold them accountable for this. Now is the time to show that we, the heart of the company, can be trusted with more transparency and a more powerful voice in the big decisions.”
For months, workers have been organizing around the low pay, expensive health care costs, understaffing, high turnover, and other working conditions that ATK had failed to effectively address. Now, the new unit that includes editors, test cooks, and video, tv, and podcast producers will be seeking to negotiate a fair contract that includes competitive salaries; affordable healthcare plans; improved benefits and wellness programs; increased subsidization of commuting costs; transparent and consistent processes for hiring, performance reviews, promotions, and pay raises; a sincere commitment to diversity at all levels; a continuation of remote work flexibility; and the establishment of processes for employee input regarding in-office policies.
“It’s been beyond heart warming and faith-instilling to see so many of my coworkers stand up and show up for one another,” said Emily Rahravan, an assistant editor at ATK. “Many have gone out of their way to ensure other people and departments are cared for and listened to. I am so excited to see how much more positive change ATK United can make in the future when we have a say in how the company’s resources are used.”
For nearly 30 years, America’s Test Kitchen, which includes Cook’s Illustrated and Cook’s Country magazines, as well as America’s Test Kitchen Kids, award-winning podcasts, and the upcoming Amazon-produced reality TV series ATK: The Next Generation, has been teaching home cooks the skills they need to be confident and capable in the kitchen. The dedicated team of workers behind the famous brand help produce and support ATK’s award-winning content in multiple ways.
Members of ATK United (CWA Local 1400) are proud to be part of and stand in solidarity with the growing movement of workers among similar media companies such as Condé Nast, the New York Times Wirecutter, and Gimlet Media, organizing to transform the food media landscape for the future.
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About CWA: The Communications Workers of America represents working people in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech, and other fields.
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