Staff at University of Chicago Press Organize, Join Chicago News Guild

Employees at the University of Chicago Press have officially moved to unionize, aligning with the Chicago News Guild (TNG-CWA Local 34071) in a push for improved workplace standards and greater transparency.

The newly formed group, known as the UCP Workers Guild, is seeking voluntary recognition from press leadership. Its platform centers on key priorities including fair pay, sustainable working conditions, and clearer communication across the organization.

In a statement, guild member Griffin Reed described both the appeal and the challenges of working in academic publishing. While expressing pride in being part of a respected institution, Reed noted that passion for the field can sometimes be used to justify difficult working conditions. Concerns raised by staff include stagnant wages, inconsistent policies around remote work, and uncertainty tied to layoffs, outsourcing, and the growing role of AI in publishing workflows.

Workers say unionization is a way to establish stronger protections and ensure that employees are compensated fairly for their contributions, particularly as the press continues to generate revenue from its publishing programs.

The move comes amid a broader wave of labor organizing across the publishing industry. In recent weeks, employees at other major organizations—including Hachette Book Group and Catapult—have also taken steps to unionize, signaling a continued shift toward collective bargaining in the field.

As of now, the University of Chicago Press has not publicly responded to the union’s request for recognition.