Dark Horse workers seek to unionize amid job insecurity

Employees of Dark Horse Media, the third-largest comic book publisher in the US, announced their intention to form the union Dark Horse Workers United (DHWU). They are asking the interim CEO to voluntarily recognize the organization before June 3rd. They seek improvements in job security, wages, and benefits, as well as greater transparency and participation in critical decisions.

dark horse media office interior, workers gathering around a desk holding union flyers and clipboards, one employee typing on a wacom cintiq while another gestures at a spreadsheet on a monitor showing salary data, comic book pages and storyboards pinned on corkboard in background, cinematic photorealistic style, soft fluorescent overhead lighting, serious determined expressions, scattered drawing tablets and coffee cups, technical illustration with visible ink bottles and drawing tools, action of collective decision-making during a union organization meeting

Technology as a tool for pressure and organization 🤖

The union initiative arises in a context of technological and labor changes. Workers point out that the implementation of artificial intelligence, return-to-office policies, and salary freezes motivated the organization. They use digital platforms to coordinate actions and spread their message, demonstrating that technology can be a double-edged sword: used by the company to cut costs and by employees to defend their rights.

Ironies of a publisher that defends creators, but not its own 😅

Dark Horse has been characterized by defending the rights of comic book creators, but it seems that philosophy does not apply in-house. Workers report being underpaid and undervalued, while the company publishes stories of heroes fighting against oppressive systems. Perhaps the next comic should be titled The Rebellion of the Office Workers, although we fear the ending won't be as epic as that of its characters.