NEW YORK, N.Y.—Ebony Media Organization and its parent Clear View Group have failed to pay
$30,000 they owe 14 freelance writers, the National Writers Union said Oct. 16. The Chicago-based magazine made the first two payments it agreed to in a February out-of-court settlement with the union to cover what it owed 44 writers for articles they’d had published since 2016, but missed the third, due Sept. 30. The company had agreed to pay all 44 writers a total of about $80,000 by the end of the year, but has only paid about one-third of them, the NWU said. NWU President Larry Goldbetter said the union is prepared to sue Ebony and CVG if the September payment is not made this week. “Some of the Ebony freelancers have been waiting nearly two years to receive the money they’re owed,” he said. “This is bigger than Ebony’s failure to remain consistent with the agreement,” writer Shanita Hubbard, a plaintiff in the case, said in a statement released by the NWU. “This is about Ebony’s failure to remain consistent to their commitment to elevating Black voices at a time where it’s desperately needed.” Read more
