CWA Local 1180 Members Fight for Reinstatement of Laid Off Workers

StoryCorps, a nonprofit organization that records, preserves, and shares American stories, laid off five union workers in October without prior notice to the Union, including an active shop steward who has been an outspoken advocate for their coworkers.

The workers, members of CWA Local 1180, are not taking the unilateral dismissals lying down.

Despite being the most senior person in his department, having a stellar performance record, no disciplinary marks, and years of dedicated service and contributions to StoryCorps’ mission, StoryCorps management targeted the shop steward in what the members feel is a retaliatory move. Other laid-off employees had recently filed grievances concerning discrimination in the workplace and being denied a contractual cost of living increase.

On December 15th hundreds of StoryCorps workers, CWA Local 1180 members, and supporters from other CWA locals and New York City unions rallied in front of the StoryCorps office in Brooklyn, NY to demand reinstatement of the dismissed workers. The rally included a large TV screen on which remote workers based outside of New York were able to join over Zoom. 

CWA also filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board in November over the layoffs, alleging retaliation and breach of contract. 

“I knew from day one at StoryCorps that I had the best job in the world,” said Jey Born, a CWA shop steward and one of the workers who was laid off, to the rally crowd. “ I never thought I’d be standing here.” 

You can help! Click here to send an email to StoryCorps leadership, and follow the workers’ efforts on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.