Texas Tribune journalists win AI job protections in first union contract
The Texas Tribune's union staff secured a three-year contract that prohibits layoffs tied to artificial intelligence use, guarantees pay raises, and sets minimum salaries for newsroom positions.
More than 54 union members-reporters, photographers, editors, and support staff-ratified the agreement this week with roughly 90% participation. The contract marks the first agreement since the Texas Tribune Guild formed in January 2024.
What the contract covers
Management committed to not laying off union journalists to replace their work with AI. Non-journalist union members receive eight additional weeks of severance pay if they lose their jobs due to AI implementation.
New reporters, newsroom staff, and business employees will earn at least $62,000 annually. The organization previously had no set salary minimums, though the lowest-paid workers earned around $58,600.
All union employees receive raises of at least 1% in 2027 and 2028. Most workers get a 3% raise this year. The contract also standardizes pay increases-previously awarded at management's discretion-with 2% retention raises for every three years of employment.
Staff gain 20 days of paid time off, 10 sick days, and 10 bereavement days. The agreement locks in retirement contributions and insurance premium rates.
AI guidelines in the newsroom
The Tribune established rules for AI use as part of the deal. The newsroom encourages staff to experiment with AI for data analysis, transcription, and headline writing, but journalists must verify AI outputs and disclose significant AI use to editors and readers.
The contract also requires 21 days' notice before planned layoffs or terminations and adds protections around mental health, safety, and work authorization processes.
Alejandro Serrano, the guild's chair, said the contract "reflects and rewards our staff's contributions with pay and policies that are more transparent and fair."
The nonprofit newsroom, founded in 2009, voluntarily recognized the union after staff members organized in 2024 following layoffs the previous year. Negotiations took two years.
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