Striking Insider staffers threw back drinks at Margaritaville in Times Square after a tentative deal was reached to end the prolonged walkout.
Many of the NewsGuild members wasted away their last hours at the Jimmy Buffett-themed bar before having to report back Thursday and cheered a new three-year contract that will boost salaries.
“Thrilled about the win, convinced of the power of organized labor and excited to get back to work, but concerned that it took a historic 13-day strike to get there,” an employee told The Post on Thursday. “What kind of employer lets that happen?”
The strike forced editors — including Insider CEO Henry Blodget and editor-in-chief Nich Carlson — to crank out copy while reporters picketed Insider’s headquarters in New York’s Financial District.
Things got ugly when Carlson was caught on tape by union members tearing down pro-union flyers posted in his Brooklyn neighborhood of Windsor Terrace that targeted him as the strike dragged on.
Roughly 24 hours after The Post published the exclusive video and report on the incident, Insider’s management struck an agreement with the union, which includes a $65,000 minimum salary for employees, on par with such publications as the New York Times.
NewsGuild announced the deal via Twitter late Wednesday, writing: “We have a tentative agreement on a contract that will give our members more money and job protections and resolve our ULP [unfair labor practices]. The strike is now over and workers will return to the office tomorrow.”
An Insider rep added: “Insider is pleased to have reached an agreement with its newsroom union on a Collective Bargaining Agreement. The CBA formalizes many of the company’s existing practices, policies and benefits, including top of the market competitive pay, freedom to work from anywhere in the US, 16 weeks of parental leave and many successful DEI initiatives. With this contract, we will continue to offer pay and benefits at the high-end of our industry.”
Aside from the new salary floor, which was raised $10,000 to $65,000, the new contract also includes a just-cause clause, a layoff moratorium through the end of the year, raises of over 10% during the term of the contract and more than $400,000 in health care reimbursements.
It also includes $2,200 in tax-free cash for employees to spend on mental health and prescriptions, as well as a revised raise structure.
Workers will also receive a 3.5% raise if they have not already gotten a raise this year.
Those who already had received a raise will get a 2% raise.
In 2024, union members will receive a guaranteed 3.75% raise, which will be followed by a 3% raise in 2025.
Insider workers will also be able to work from anywhere, including fully remote work.
