The Providence Newspaper Guild and the Vermont Journalism Trust signed a new, four-year contract March 31 for members of the Guild’s VTDigger Guild unit. The CBA raises pay, adds PTO and adds protections for employees should Artificial Intelligence be introduced in the newsroom.
Highlights of the new contract, which is retroactive to January 1, 2025 and expires December 31, 2028 include:
Some specific highlights include:
- –A 32.5 percent increase to the minimum salary for reporters, from $40,000 to $53,000, retroactive to 1/1/25.
- A 6 percent increase to the minimum salary for editors, from $50,000 to $53,000, retroactive to 1/1/25.
- The above increase, to reach the minimum, or a raise of 7 percent for those making less than $60,000, whichever is larger, retroactive to 1/1/25.
- A wage increase of 4 percent for employees making between $60,000 and $65,000 as of 1/1/25, retroactive to that date
- A wage increase of 3 percent for employees making more than $65,000 as of 1/1/25, retroactive to that date.
- A wage increase of 3.5 percent for employees making less than $60,000 as of 1/1/26, retroactive to that date.
- A wage increase of 3 percent for employees making more than $60,000 as of 1/1/26, retroactive to that date.
- Wage increases of 3.25 percent for all employees as of 1/1/27 and 1/1/28.
- For the lowest paid unit member, the increases total 27.75% over the life of the agreement.
- An increase in PTO from 31 days to 34 days, with the ability to carry over 80 hours for use as sick or vacation time. Those with more than 80 hours banked have until the end of 2026 to use it.
- An avenue for employees funded via restricted grants or via partnership with other entities to become union members after a year.
- An avenue to provide feedback in the hiring process for the Editor in Chief and Managing Editor
- Up to $300 annually for each member to attend a conference, training or professional development opportunity.
- Travel, meals, accommodations and work time paid by employer for attendance at trainings or conferences required by management
- Protections on use of Artificial Intelligence that include at least 60 days’ notice of intent to implement, ability for union to negotiate effects of AI introduction, enhanced severance of four additional weeks per year of service in the event of layoff due to AI; ability to withhold byline or raise ethical objection to use of AI in employee’s work; creation of joint Guild-management committee to formulate AI ethics policy, with mandates to make it clear that the best journalism is created by humans and clear labeling of content in which AI is used.
- Creation of a trial, joint Guild-management Professional Development Council with a $1,500 annual budget “to discuss issues and design initiatives relevant to the promotion and nurturing of education, training, and collaboration across the organization including, but not limited to, skill-sharing, mentorships, memberships, guest speakers, shadowing programs, special projects, and external partnerships.
Members of the VTDigger Guild issued the following statement:
We’re thrilled to share that the VTDigger Guild has reached a deal with our management on an updated contract. The agreement we’ve built together will make VTDigger a better place to work — and only strengthen the journalism our members produce every day and that our readers across the state rely on.
We’re grateful to our managers for listening to the concerns our members raised, and helping us take steps to solve some of the biggest challenges for journalists today.
We asked for higher pay in the face of rising costs of living — and now, our members will see as high as double-digit percent raises.
We asked for a voice in how AI tools get used in our newsroom — and now, a new committee, with reporters and managers at the table, will make sure this technology is rolled out ethically. We’re also reassured that VTDigger will make enhanced benefits available to our members in the event there are layoffs because of AI.
Some other highlights of the new Guild-management deal: more paid time off, a yearly stipend for professional development and a more formal process for reporters to voice their opinions when top newsroom leaders get hired. As a Guild, we feel confident that this contract sets VTDigger up for a strong future. And, we hope you’ll consider doing what you can to help ensure that future, too. Donate to VTDigger’s ongoing Spring Member Drive here: vtdigger.donorsupport.co/page/Spring2026. Thank you!
