Dear MSNBC colleagues:

We wanted to write to share our excitement about the formation of our union and go over the next steps in the process to formal recognition. Over 200 of us came together to passionately and publicly declare our intent to make MSNBC and The Choice an even better place to work. We are so proud to stand with all of you.

It is important that this remains an open and ongoing conversation. We invite you to come to an MSNBC Union meeting to hear from current Writers Guild members, learn more about next steps, and ask questions. We’ll meet on Sunday, June 27 at 7pm ET (a recording of the meeting will be available for those who can’t attend on Sunday evening). Please RSVP here.

Since our announcement, we’ve received incredible support from hosts, elected officials, and labor leaders: Joy Reid, Chris Hayes, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ), and so many more.

While we are excited by the overwhelming support, we are also disappointed that MSNBC did not remain true to its commitment to progressive values by respecting its employees’ decision and recognizing our union promptly. The company refused to have a neutral arbitrator verify that a supermajority of us have signed the petition.

This week, we will be filing for an election with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). While it’s unfortunate that MSNBC executives are forcing a third-party institution to become involved in a re-vote, we know that a strong majority of us want a union. Once we file with the NLRB, which is a governmental agency, it will trigger a process that will culminate in a secret ballot election administered by the agency. The NLRB will help management and our union determine the composition of the bargaining unit. There are also specific NLRB mandated timelines around scheduling an election, and those timelines should result in a vote (almost certainly a mail-in ballot) within weeks. We expect MSNBC to cooperate and not create further unnecessary delays in this election process.

 We hoped we wouldn’t have to deal with misinformation in addition to delays in this process. However, many of us have had team meetings over the last several days that included some clearly inaccurate information. Here’s a refresher to share with colleagues (in addition to the rest of our FAQs on our union website):

Myth: “The union is an outside third party. Why don’t you ask the Writers Guild what they’re offering you?”

FACT: We are the union! We know our contributions have earned us a seat at the table where we can advocate for a safe and fair workplace, and we know our voices are key to making MSNBC the best news network it can be for both its audience and its workers. Writers Guild staff representatives will guide us through the process, but we will set the priorities and lead the effort to negotiate a fair contract that we’ll all get a chance to vote on.

Myth: “Dues are expensive and might not be worth it.”

FACT: Dues are $40/quarter, plus 1.5% of salary. All initiation fees are waived for new shops, like ours. But none of us will be responsible for union dues until we’ve negotiated and voted to ratify a contract. Why would any of us vote to ratify a contract that wasn’t worth it? 

Myth: “You could lose some of the great things you have now and wind up worse off!”

FACT: Once our union is official, management can’t unilaterally reduce benefits or compensation. We will all fill out bargaining surveys, elect a representative bargaining committee of our peers, and negotiate a contract according to the priorities we set. None of us would negotiate and vote to ratify a contract that makes things worse.

Myth: “The union could make it impossible for people to grow in their roles or try new things. We would lose flexibility.”

FACT: Again, we will negotiate a contract that reflects our desire to set minimum standards and allow for all of us to receive fair compensation for taking on new roles. Learning on the job is important to many of us, and we want to grow and be flexible—with protection from exploitation.

Myth: “MSNBC can’t give raises if you bring in the union.”

FACT: MSNBC can give any raises it wants at any time.

In case you missed it, we have launched a Twitter account as well as a website that includes an FAQ section addressing some talking points raised by management.

Please remember to RSVP for the meeting on Sunday. While it’s frustrating that we can’t be together in person, this is an exciting time. So let’s do everything we can to support one another and continue to build our union. This will be an historic victory for us, our network, and our industry. If you’re interested in joining the organizing committee, please reach out!

In Solidarity,

MSNBC Union Organizing Committee

Renjini Antony, The Rachel Maddow Show

Alison Bonaviso, Morning Joe

Stephanie Brumsey, The Cross Connection with Tiffany Cross and The Sunday Show with Jonathan Capehart

Kimani Bunch, Zerlina

Hank Butler, The ReidOut

Christopher Carney, The Cross Connection with Tiffany Cross and The Sunday Show with Jonathan Capehart

Kayla Chadwick, PoliticsNation

Tiffany Champion, All In With Chris Hayes

Cece Charendoff, MTP Daily

Ayan Chatterjee, Deadline: White House

Rebecca Cheng, The 11th Hour With Brian Williams

Maura Daly, The 11th Hour With Brian Williams

Aisha Elkheshin, The Last Word With Lawrence O’Donnell

Sydnee Fried, The Beat With Ari Melber

Kim Fucci, Reiser and Gibson Report

B.J. Gunts, All In With Chris Hayes

Sam Henneberry, The Rachel Maddow Show

Dan Holway, Craig Melvin Reports

Natalie Johnson, The Cross Connection with Tiffany Cross and The Sunday Show with Jonathan Capehart

Andrew Joyce, The Rachel Maddow Show

Mirjam Lablans, The Beat With Ari Melber

Alec Lafavore, Katy Tur Reports

Kat McCullough, Yasmin Vossoughian Reports

MaryBeth Neil, Yasmin Vossoughian Reports

Annie Pei, Velshi

Miguel Pineda, Alex Witt Reports

Odeya Pinkus, Katy Tur Reports

Elizabeth Sedran, MSNBC Breaking News Team

Traci Tillman, The Rachel Maddow Show

Sam Ulan, Katy Tur Reports

Caroline Ulwick, Ayman Mohyeldin Reports

Rachel Witkin, The ReidOut

Christina Yendall, Morning Joe