Dark Horse Workers United Hits a Bump in its Negotiations with Dark Horse – Graphic Policy

In May 2026, Dark Horse Workers United was launched to unionize Dark Horse staff. It was focused on five principles with three goals to improve working conditions for the publisher’s employees. In June, Dark Horse voluntarily recognized the union, preventing a protracted and drawn out process. As we said in that article, there were many steps to go and it could be a daunting process. In an update, Dark Horse Workers United states that’s exactly what’s going on.

In posts, the union has said Dark Horse leadership is “attempting to reduce union membership by claiming supervisory status for Senior Editors.” In general, non-managerial employees may form and join labor unions. So, who is and isn’t “managerial” can become a point of contention. Designating individuals and jobs as “managerial” is a tactic to shrink the influence and reach of the union.

Dark Horse Workers United state that Senior Editors for Dark Horse were given “job clarifications” that changed their job descriptions which include management tasks. If they agree to that, they sacrifice their union eligibility. If they don’t accept it, they’d be demoted and receive a “significant pay cut.”

While the union calls it an “underhanded attempt to reduce (the) union membership,” it could also be a lack of clarification in the job role but also opens up the publisher to questions as to what those editors might have been missing as far as benefits if they were indeed “management” but not designated. It could also be an attempt to decrease the membership. It’s also not an unusual issue and point of contention in these negotiations.

Even when this matter is settled, there’s still a long way to go and this could drag out for years before the first union contract is ratified.

Source: Graphic Policy