The Ringer Union announced the ratification of their new contract, garnering 100% approval from members. The agreement boasts several key provisions, including significant raises totaling over $300,000 for Year 1.
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The company logo of Swedish music streaming giant Spotify is pictured on a smartphone in Berlin on January 23, 2023.
Ratifying New Contract
The Ringer union just approved a new contract with Spotify. It took a week of talks after the old contract ended. The new deal includes better pay and protections about how Spotify uses AI. The union made sure Spotify needs permission to use their voices or names for AI.
But they also agreed to let Spotify translate Ringer podcasts using AI. The union shared the rules about AI use, making it clear that Spotify can't copy their voices without permission. This is important because AI could eventually sound just like a real person.
Notably, employees earning below $110,000 will receive a minimum raise of $4,500, while the average increase for all employees amounts to 6.4%. Moreover, the minimum salary for union members has been raised to $65,000, representing a substantial victory for lower-paid staff.
Recognizing the instability prevalent in the industry due to frequent job cuts, the new contract also includes enhanced severance packages. Long-tenured employees may receive up to 26 weeks of severance pay, while newer members are guaranteed a minimum of 11 weeks' severance in the event of layoffs.
Key AI Protections Amidst Generative AI Concerns
A significant consideration arises concerning AI-powered translations. Spotify is not required to obtain consent from its employees to translate their audio into different languages using digital replicas of their voices.
However, as a compromise, employees can request a disclaimer to be included in the episode stating that the voice was generated by AI. The union, which falls under the Writer's Guild of America, East, highlighted AI as a major obstacle in reaching an agreement.
This presents a victory for The Ringer's staff, yet it also highlights Spotify's priorities. Spotify launched its podcast translation tool last fall, and feedback on the quality of these translations has been varied.
However, industry insiders suggest that if these translations can overcome certain challenges, it could revolutionize the podcast landscape.
As a global platform, Spotify has the potential to expand a podcast's audience by making it accessible to diverse markets. Thus, it's understandable that they would seek to safeguard this capability, particularly concerning their own podcasts.
Previously, The Verge reported that the union took a firm stance on translations, emphasizing the importance of obtaining consent from hosts and including a disclaimer about the use of AI.
While they succeeded in securing disclosure requirements, they compromised on consent. This negotiation outcome sheds light on the nuanced role of AI in podcasting. It suggests that reputable companies are unlikely to fully embrace AI-generated podcasts.
However, AI technology is gradually infiltrating various aspects of content creation, from generating pickups to creating voiceovers for social media snippets.
The terms of The Ringer contract may serve as a model in this evolving landscape. While it sets boundaries by prohibiting the cloning of employees' voices, it also allows for practical applications of AI in podcast production.
