The Indy News Guild reached a collective bargaining agreement for a two-year contract, which was ratified WHEN. The 2026-2028 contract includes immediate raises for every member, increased minimum salaries that rewards loyal employees, safeguards against artificial intelligence replacing union work, and guaranteed pay for unit members who fill in for managers.
Pay (P. 3-4)
Reporters, Producers, Photographers
During 1st year………………………… $1,000.00 per week / $52,000 annual
During 3rd year………………………… $1,038.47 per week / $54,000.44 annual
During 5th year………………………… $1,076.93 per week / $56,000.36 annual
During 7th year…………………………. $1,115.39 per week / $58,000.28 annual
During 9th year…………………………. $1,153.85 per week / $60,000.20 annual
During 11th year………………..………. $1,211.60 per week / $63,003.20 annual
News assistants, office clericals, building services
…………………………………………….. 617.79 per week / $32,125 annual
Upon ratification, all members will get an $.80 hourly increase in pay. Starting the second year of the contract, members will receive a $0.50 increase. (Those who are bumped to a new minimum will still receive these bumps.)
Employees may be temporarily assigned by the Company to fill in as a team editor. When employees fill in for at least one full shift, they shall be paid an additional per shift rate of $20.00. There shall be no additional pay due for an employee who fills in as a team editor for less than one full shift.
Call backs (P. 5)
If an employees is called back to work after completing his/her full regular shift, regardless whether they are working from the office or not, they will receive a minimum of three hours of pay at the overtime rate. Brief calls to clarify previously submitted stories are not call backs.
Paid time off (P. 8-10)
Indy News Guild members have the following paid time off:
- Eight holidays (New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day)
- An employee required to work on a holiday shall be paid at one-and-one-half times his/her regular rate for the first three hours and double time thereafter.
- Seven personal leave days, unless an employee is in their first year. Them, they will receive:
- Four personal leave days if hired within the first quarter
- Three personal leave days if hired within the second quarter
- Two personal leave days if hired within the third quarter
- Vacation
- Year 1: One week after three months on the job
- Years 2-4: Two weeks
- Years 5-11: Three weeks
- Year 12+: Four weeks
- Sick pay + disability (See contract p. 9)
Artificial intelligence (P. 18)
“The Company shall have the right to use new technologies, processes, and equipment, including AI. Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be used to generate news content that is supplementary to local news reporting and writing and is not a replacement for it. The use of AI by all parties shall be consistent
with the Ethical Guidelines and Policy for USATC Journalists Regarding AI-generated or Assisted Content as updated from time-to-time. The Employer may provide mandatory training on the use of AI and new technologies.”
Previous contracts:
