Science News Media Guild authorizes strike as union marks 500 days of bargaining with no contract

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 5, 2025

Media Contact: Dylan Manshack, dmanshack@wbng.org | 202-445-4033

WASHINGTON – Members of the Science News Media Guild, workers who publish Science News and Science News Explores, mark 500 days of bargaining for their first contract with the management of the Society for Science.

Members of SNMG recently voted by 92% to authorize a strike against the Society for Science if necessary. 

“For the past 8 years, I’ve worked at Science News Media Group with a newsroom full of talented, dedicated journalists who care deeply about making science accessible and understandable to the public,” said Maria Temming, Assistant Managing Editor at Science News. 

“500 days is far too long for my colleagues and I to wait for a contract that fairly compensates us for our work.”

Workers continue to seek pay equity and transparency, as well as a rational remote work arrangement. Management so far has been trying to implement a system far more restrictive than pre-COVID.

“The 15 months that I have worked at Science News without a contract don’t even cover the full 500 days that some of my colleagues have spent asking our company for reasonable protections and fair compensation,” said Haley Weiss, Associate News Editor at Science News.

“The talented and creative people making our magazine deserve to feel that their work is valued.”

Bargaining continues as they seek a fair contract that recognizes the immense talent of the staff. Supporters are encouraged to join hundreds of others in signing their petition demanding a fair contract.