Seattle Times files ULP against workers

“Management not only does not have a wage proposal ready, but they also filed a ULP against us. Shameful, just shameful,” wrote one journalist

SEATTLE, WA (July 10, 2026) — Last month, the union newsroom workers at the Seattle Times filed an unfair labor practice charge (ULP) with the National Labor Relations Board, citing months of negotiations with the newspaper and still no wage proposal from the company as evidence of failure to bargain in good faith. Workers first gave their own wage proposal in March; well into June, the company was refusing to respond, claiming all other economic issues needed to be settled before they would start to discuss wages, per the Seattle Times Union. But the Seattle Times’ response to this charge was not to get serious in negotiations. Instead, the company filed their own ULP against the workers.

“We are ready and eager to discuss wages with the company — that’s why we filed our ULP in the first place,” posted the union on social media. “Instead of taking this opportunity to come to the table with a wage proposal, the company has chosen to drag its feet and further delay talks by filing a charge against us.”

Photo: Seattle Times Union via Instagram

Since negotiations began, workers have been clear that raising current low wages is a central priority this contract cycle. By refusing to negotiate wages until workers have agreed to all other economic proposals, the company is pushing workers to agree to contract provisions with costs that may limit what they’re able to secure in pay increases. It’s not uncommon for management to claim that increasing health or retirement benefits, for example, means the employer cannot afford significant wage gains.

Workers have been responding to Seattle Times management’s choice to bring charges rather than wages with shock, disappointment, and disgust.

“I’m proud to work in this newsroom, and it’s inspiring to see my colleagues support each other, but I can’t tell you how deflating it is to log in on a Sunday afternoon and see this,” wrote news producer Jon Christon in a Slack post shared by the union. “We work day and night for this paper, and you can’t even give us the decency of a wage proposal (let alone actual livable wages)? And then you have the audacity to file a ULP against us? That is ridiculous.”

“Here I am working on a Friday night (alongside so many of my colleagues) to cover the World Cup, rather than spending this time with my children for dinner and their bedtime,” wrote video journalist Lauren Frohne. “And meanwhile, management not only does not have a wage proposal ready, but they also filed a ULP against us. Shameful, just shameful.”

As workers continue to push for better wages and a fair contract, they’re encouraging supporters to send an email to Seattle Times publisher Ryan Blethen letting him know that readers of the Seattle Times support the workers.

TAKE A STAND: Email Ryan Blethen at rbelthen@seattletimes.com and tell him to negotiate fair wages with workers.