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Employees Opposing Union Use Instagram to Share Information

Employees Opposing Union Use Instagram to Share Information

After NBC’s digital staff announced it would unionize, some staffers created websites and social media pages aimed at echoing management claims about organized labor.

“…a small but vocal contingent of digital staffers voluntarily set in motion to echo management’s claims and actively discourage unionization efforts.”

“Among their tactics: Complaining about unionizing in a Slack channel visible to thousands of employees; and—as first reported by The Hollywood Reporter—launching a bright, colorful “No NBC NewsGuild” Instagram account full of anti-union meme-like images warning about the risks of unionizing, including the potential for increased gym costs.”

“The Instagram page account also links to a website cataloging the alleged risks of unionizing and encouraging fellow unionization opponents to email a “nonbcnewsguild” account to inquire for more information. The anti-union page complains about the cost of mandatory dues, argues that employees risk losing merit-based raises, and threatens that everything from health-care to retirement benefits would worsen under a union.”

This is the first time I’ve seen an Instagram account used like this during a campaign. It’s a great way to use social media to communicate during a campaign and one that management could easily adapt from this example by this loyalty committee.