UCP Workers Guild

We’re unionizing! Workers at UCP are forming a union with the Chicago NewsGuild, TNG-CWA Local 34071, joining the nationwide movement for a stronger publishing industry.

When should I talk to a steward? In this final post of our stewards series, we have some examples of situations in which you may want to speak with your steward. Still have questions about stewards' role in our union? Reach out to yours today!

What does a steward do? Next up, we'll learn about what stewards do and why they're so important in helping the union understand what's happening across the workplace.

What is a union steward? This series of posts covers what it means to have a steward in your corner! Unions are strongest when members know their rights, communicate with one another, and support each other. Your steward is one part of that network, acting as a resource you can turn to when in need.

You have rights: If a manager requests an investigatory meeting that you have reasonable cause to believe may result in disciplinary action, you have the right to representation. These are your Weingarten Rights! Save this card for future reference!

And finally, meet our bargaining lead, Tamara (she/her)! 👋

Meet Sierra (she/her), our second unit co-chair! 👋

This week, meet our unit co-chairs. So hi to Rosemary (she/her)! 👋

Next up, meet co-chief steward Owen Cook (he/him)! 👋

Next up, meet our co-chief stewards! First, Matt Lang (he/him)! 👋

Meet our unit recording secretary, Livv Reece (she/her)! 👋

Meet our unit leaders! 👋 We’ll be introducing unit leadership over the next few weeks. First up: Adrienne Meyers (she/her), secretary for communications!

🚨BREAKING🚨 Workers at the University of Chicago Press voted a whopping 89% in favor of unionizing with @chicagonewsguild.bsky.social a day after workers at Hachette Book Group voted to unionize. @ucpworkersguild.bsky.social newsguild.org/university-o...

🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨 We did it! Workers, keep an eye out for more information headed your way soon! To all our supporters here and in person, THANK YOU! Bound together, solidarity forever!

We know we're a bit nerdy, so let's take a look at how votes will be counted this week! Only two days to go! ✊

We have the power 🩵✊❤️

One step forward, two steps back. Management wants us to think our annual increases are reflect our hard work and dedication. So why do we end up further behind each year we work at the press? We deserve raise schedules that we can rely on and compensation packages that remain fair in the long term.

Everyone has different dreams for the future, but we all have them. This week, we’re looking at how a union can help us protect those dreams.

Workers should have a voice in how their workplace operates and in the policies that directly affect them, from compensation to career advancement to remote work arrangements. UCP Workers Guild is fighting for a seat at the table to make the press a more transparent, democratic, and fair workplace.

We believe that we, the people who make sales, manage journals, handle contracts, design books, support authors/clients, keep editorial standards high, secure publicity for publications, staff exhibits, and more should be informed about how our business works and included in discussions.

As voting begins this week, we're discussing transparency. We're the workers who make the press run, and we should also have a say in policies that directly impact our work and our lives.

We believe integrity is key in our workplace. This week, we’re looking at what that means for how we treat our staff.

Support so nice, some get to vote twice! The university tried to divide us by imposing arbitrary and absurd classifications on our unit. But we are bound together, and stronger together. Vote YES!

"People think... you must ‘pick a cause.’ But this is a myth. It is the illusion of a monstrous future that wants to swallow you whole." Read Mike Corrao on @ucpworkersguild.bsky.social's unionization campaign. chireviewofbooks.com/2026/05/29/t...

While a letter workers received from management this week states that the press is not anti-union, it goes on to outline anti-union talking points and to advocate for a union-free future at the press. But we're looking forward to our election and to winning our union!

Hear from a few of our members about why we’re unionizing and what unionizing means to them!

Just as a rising tide lifts all boats, unions benefit managers too. Employee management is a pain point for managers and staff alike; moving employee relations to the forefront makes the press a better place for employees of all levels to work.

We’re burned out. This week, we’re looking at the cyclical problems that are causing staff burnout.

ATTN UCPWG members: Let’s go to the polls! Employees who work on campus must vote in person, while fully remote workers will be mailed ballots. The NLRB does not allow for absentee ballots. Not sure how you’ll be voting? Please reach out to the organizing committee immediately.

Read more about our upcoming election at chicagomaroon.com/52526/news/u...

We're grateful for the support of our UCP authors! Read more messages of support at cwalocals.org/ucp-workers-...

Workers often enter publishing because of a genuine love for books—and we’re asked to endure meager pay and inconsistent policies because we’re “lucky” to do what we do. But passion alone does not pay the bills, and we cannot sustain our work without improvements to our working conditions.

The publishing industry has a history of inequality, and we know that low salaries contribute to this. Making this industry more accessible for those without generational wealth or high-earning partners, for those with health conditions, and for parents and caretakers will require equitable wages.

We acknowledge financial constraints, but we also know there’s more to the story. Salary increases secured by other campus unions show us there is room for improvement, and salaries of the highest paid employees reveal that the university has the ability to pay well above COL when they choose to.

While we're disappointed that the university decided not to voluntary recognize us, we're still bound together and ready to go. Let's be honest, we love voting (especially for labor rights)! 🩵✊❤️

UCP’s starting pay for a FT employee is less than $40K. This doesn’t line up with Chicago's COL or its average rent and home prices. We understand the value we bring to our jobs, and we believe our wages should align with the real costs of living a comfortable life in the city where we work.

We’re fighting for a more equitable workplace. This week, we’re looking at what pay equity looks like for our workplace, the cost of living in Chicago, and UChicago’s budget myths.

Chicago's a union town with a long history of labor activism. We launched our public campaign on the 140th anniv. of the Haymarket Affair, honoring the legacy of brave Chicagoans who took a stand to improve their conditions & those of workers across the country. Source: www.wttw.com/chicago-work....

One job should be enough. Read The Chicago Maroon's piece on our union here: chicagomaroon.com/52249/news/u...

It truly is the summer of publishing unions! Go have a read at this article just dropped by Literary Hub: lithub.com/unions-are-h...

There’s a lot of misinformation out there about unions and their impact on the workforce. The truth is much simpler: We, the workers of the University of Chicago Press, are the union.

Workers celebrated with @chicagonewsguild.bsky.social today, coming together stronger than ever! New swag, good food, and great coworkers standing in solidarity! ✊📚🩵 (Peep the last photo for a sneak peek of our favorite piece of swag!)

Hear from one of our members about why we’re unionizing and what unionizing means to them:

Read more about our union in the Chicago Sun-Times: chicago.suntimes.com/work/2026/05...

Less than a week after Hachette employees went public with their union drive, the UCP Workers Guild has announced it has joined the Chicago News Guild and is requesting voluntary recognition from the nonprofit publisher.

Huge news today that the incredible staff at the University of Chicago Press is unionizing with The NewsGuild! ✊ The workers @ucpworkersguild.bsky.social are joining the nationwide labor movement for a stronger publishing industry. Read the full release here: newsguild.org/university-o...

Have you read our mission statement yet? Crafted by UCP Workers Guild members across divisions at the press, it outlines our vision for our union. Read more here about our goals for pay equity, sustainability, and transparency. And check out the full statement at cwalocals.org/ucp-workers-....

We know we’re stronger together as we work toward a more equitable, sustainable, and transparent workplace. ✊ Please repost, share, and support our union via our Action Network campaign: actionnetwork.org/letters/were...