I was anxious to go to the picket line at Insider’s office, but I went anyway. Before long, I had my own bullhorn and neon vest.
The author on the picket line in front of One Liberty Plaza in New York. Maddie Renbarger
It’s day 12 of Insider Union’s strike, and since the start, I’ve been picketing outside Insider’s office.
I’m a member of Insider Union and didn’t know what to expect on my first day out there, and I was nervous.
But by the end of the day, I was holding a bullhorn, wearing a neon vest, and leading chants. I’ll never forget it.
I didn’t know what to expect from our strike, but I got everything I came for and more.
Though it feels like a lifetime ago, it was just two weeks ago that we set our strike deadline with management. We informed our colleagues that if we did not reach a deal to resolve our healthcare Unfair Labor Practice and settle a fair contract by 11:59 p.m. EST on June 1, we would strike. Unfortunately for all of us, we didn’t reach that much-anticipated deal, and, as a result, we are on the twelfth day of our strike now.
It was disappointing that we couldn’t cross the finish line by our deadline, but after two years of bargaining, my colleagues and I were ready to take our fight to the next level.
During our strike, we’ve supported each other and felt the support of other unions
As we’ve taken to the picket line physically and virtually during this strike, bargaining units of other unions across the country — who have also sent us water, meals, and financial support — have doused us with messages of solidarity. Recently unionized groups that have yet to start their own fights bargaining for fair contracts and better working conditions have sent us messages of solidarity, too.
It’s not just the Insider Union currently striking; in fact, it seems to be something of a strike season, and all the unions are here to fight and to win.
I knew I could sit at home with my strike anxiety or go put it to good use on the picket line
At the picket line, the energy and enthusiasm rattles your bones and rejuvenates your soul. As I exited the subway to head to our office and literally skipped to the picket line, I heard the chants of my coworkers echoing off of the Financial District’s skyscrapers. I grabbed a sign, fell in line, and felt a weight lift off my shoulders as I chanted to my heart’s content.
And wouldn’t you know, a lifetime of middle-child noisemaking finally paid off. After a half hour of chanting, my union comrades knighted me with a neon-yellow strike-captain vest and a bullhorn. Together, we danced in the picket circle, came up with witty chants, and shared in the joyous camaraderie that comes with standing up together for what you, as a collective, deserve.
I knew that, during this strike, I could either sit with my anxiety at home, spiraling alone in my city apartment, or I could go downtown, pick up a sign, and get to work at One Liberty Plaza. I’m glad I chose the latter because I will never forget the days of picketing we’ve experienced so far.
I want to get back to work, but not until after we’ve made it a better workplace for everyone
I signed my union card a week after I accepted a position as a salaried junior reporter at Insider. After six months as a fellow with the company, I was excited to keep working as a reporter, but my rose-colored glasses had come off. The honeymoon period of new employment had ended, and I was ready to work alongside my colleagues to secure a contract with fair working conditions for all. I won’t give up until we accomplish that goal, and I know my colleagues won’t, either.
I’m eager to return to work and go back to reporting on the rest of the world, so I’ll leave upper management with this: Treat us, your colleagues, like you want to be treated — with respect and support that comes with equitable wages, good healthcare, and a fair contract.
Business Outsider is a strike publication of Insider Union which is a unit of The NewsGuild of New York.
Follow our Twitter for updates on the strike, and if you enjoyed this content and would like to throw in some cash for our members who are losing wages every day that we strike for a fair contract, feel free to visit our hardship fundraiser here. Wanna help us tell the boss to reach a deal? Let Nich Carlson and Henry Blodget know you support us by sending a letter.