‘Industry-leading’ first contract at Noisy Creek, Inc

Contract secures wage increases, improvements to working conditions, and expansive Labor Harmony provisions

SEATTLE, WA (December 15, 2025) — Workers at The Stranger, Portland Mercury, EverOut, and Bold Type Tickets–all part of Noisy Creek, Inc–ratified a first contract this month, described as “industry-leading” by bargaining unit members.

“The bargaining team hopes our contract will help set a precedent for other workers in the media industry, who all deserve to be treated and compensated fairly for all the work they do,” said Taylor Griggs, a reporter at the Portland Mercury.

The collective bargaining agreement guarantees 3% yearly raises for Washington-based employees and 2.5% yearly raises for Oregon-based employees, establishes salary minimums based on years of service, sets protections around the use of artificial intelligence, increases vacation time and adds just cause protections, per the workers’ union, the Pacific Northwest Newspaper Guild.

The contract also lays out terms for future Noisy Creek, Inc acquisitions as well. Per the union:

“Importantly, this agreement set the tone for all purchases Noisy Creek makes in the future due to the Seattle Labor Council’s (MLK Labor) Labor Harmony Agreement negotiated with Noisy Creek. In that agreement, all newly purchased entities of Noisy Creek’s will have a “card check” or be given voluntary recognition with a first contract guaranteed in 6 months of certification. Noisy Creek recently purchased the already union Chicago Reader and they will begin bargaining a new CBA in January which they can base off the incredible wins of the PNW workers.”

Workers at Noisy Creek, Inc organized nearly two years ago. But even before securing a first contract, these union workers had taken action together to improve working conditions.

“Our company has seen a lot of changes, and the union has helped employees navigate them,” said Griggs, the Portland Mercury reporter. “Last fall, the union helped workers secure unprecedented pay raises. Now, with the completion of our first collective bargaining agreement, Noisy Union members have an industry-leading contract.”