Radio Free Asia (RFA) employees represented by the Washington-Baltimore News Guild were told today that 75% of the staff would be put on unpaid leave due to the funding cuts by the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM). Management said the furloughs would start on Friday, March 21, 2025.
Under the Guild’s contract with RFA, furloughs are not permitted — instead, RFA would be required to immediately lay off employees with severance. However, layoffs would be permanent, eliminating the possibility of affected employees returning if funding is restored.
In response, the Guild is holding a vote to determine whether furloughs should be allowed, giving employees the chance to preserve their jobs should USAGM reinstate funding. The Guild recommends allowing furloughs to keep that possibility open. If layoffs become necessary in the future, employees will still receive severance under the existing contract.
“This decision underscores the devastating consequences of Trump’s executive order last week,” said Washington-Baltimore News Guild President Dan Gabor. “The Guild stands in full solidarity with our members at Radio Free Asia and calls for funding to be restored to protect the critical journalism our members provide.”
For further inquiries, please contact Dylan Manshack at dmanshack@wbng.org.