July 21, 2022
The News Media Guild met with The Associated Press on Tuesday, to review its “recommended Social Media Policy.” No agreements were reached.
The Guild said it was concerned about the process AP used to develop its Social Media and Online Harassment Policies, by appointing Guild members to its committees rather than negotiating directly with the Guild. Four were part of the Social Media Policy. The AP said it will review the Guild’s concerns.
The union requested copies of all the Social Media Policy team notes since Guild members were involved in the process. The company is considering the request. (The Guild learned after the meeting that nine unit-covered employees were part of the Online Harassment Policy team, so a request for that team’s notes will be requested also.)
The Guild noted that it offered to renegotiate the Social Media Policy last year when a firing alarmed the unit, but AP did not accept that offer.
The Guild asked that the proposed policy changes be presented to the union as they have been for decades, with deleted language struck-out and new language underlined. The company is considering the request.
The Guild representatives said there were safety concerns with requiring employees to identify themselves as AP journalists on all platforms. AP employees who monitor extremist channels, for example, could be targets of coordinated online attacks and doxxing. Concerns were also raised about that requirement for AP employees who use personal accounts for work, such as watching video links for verification, but do not engage in source gathering. The AP representatives indicated they would discuss the concerns.
The Guild representatives asked why the company was changing the “should” wording in the policy that has worked for years to “must.” The AP representatives indicated they had examples that they would discuss sharing.
The Guild representatives asked for clarification on the change concerning social media accounts and seeking customer service assistance. The AP representatives indicated they would discuss the concerns.
The Guild representatives said there were concerns with the wording of the section requiring employee posts aimed at gathering opinions to look for voices on all sides of an issue. The AP said employees with any concerns should bring them to their managers.
The Guild representatives suggested making the Social Media Policy and the online harassment guidance into a single policy. The AP said it was not necessary or required.
The company urged the union to provide a list of questions in writing before the next meeting.
Representing the Guild were Michelle Monroe, a newsperson on the West Desk; John Braunreiter, a customer support specialist in Milwaukee; Mike Warren, a newsperson on the South Desk; Sophia Tulp, a newsperson on the News Verification team in New York; Bobby Caina Calvan, a newsperson in New York City; and Guild administrative officer Kevin Keane.
Representing the AP were Teresita Seeberger, senior director of global human resources; Noreen Gillespie, global business editor; David Scott, vice president of news strategy and operations; Keisa Caesar, human resources manager; Jean Maye, human resources director; Amanda Barrett, vice president head of news audience; and attorney Steve Macri.