Lemonada Media Union Secures First Contract with Higher Pay & Protections
Lemonada Media, a trailblazer in the podcasting world, has reached a historic milestone for its workforce. The company’s unionized employees have ratified their first collective bargaining agreement (CBA), securing higher pay, guaranteed raises, and enhanced protections. This landmark agreement comes on the heels of PodX Group acquiring a majority stake in Lemonada earlier this year, signaling both financial growth and stronger worker representation.
Union Ratification: A Victory for Podcast Industry Workers
The 15-member bargaining unit, composed of producers and engineers, unanimously approved the new three-year contract. Key highlights include:
Minimum salary set at $70,000 for junior roles
Producer starting salaries increased to $87,000
Guaranteed annual pay raises: 2% this year, 3% in the next two years
Codification of a 40-hour workweek with comprehensive comp time policies
Paid time off for part-time employees
Four-week paid sabbatical for employees with at least five years of tenure
Severance protection: minimum 12 weeks for any layoffs for employees with six months or more at the company
The union hailed the agreement as a “step toward building a stable and equitable workplace.” Full participation from employees throughout the organizing process underscored the commitment to collective action and fair treatment.
Context: Podcast Industry Challenges and Lemonada’s Response
While Lemonada Media celebrates this victory, the podcast industry is navigating a turbulent period. Many companies have faced layoffs and budget cuts amid economic pressures, making this contract a rare win for creative professionals.
The union statement highlighted:
“Our colleagues at Lemonada and beyond are making wonderful podcasts that entertain, tell great stories, and even make life suck less — all while many large companies carry out layoffs and disregard the people who built this medium.”
This contrast between Lemonada’s approach and broader industry trends demonstrates a strong commitment to valuing talent and sustaining quality content.
Timeline: From Unionization to Contract
Lemonada Media workers voted to unionize in June 2024, and management quickly recognized the union. The ratification of the first three-year CBA marks a significant milestone for both employees and the company, ensuring stability and predictability in pay and benefits.
About Lemonada Media
Founded in 2019 by Jessica Cordova Kramer and Stephanie Wittels Wachs, Lemonada Media launched with the podcast Last Day. Since then, it has expanded into a network of more than 50 original podcasts, including:
Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Fail Better with David Duchovny
Confessions of a Female Founder with Meghan
Alive with Steve Burns
The Sarah Silverman Podcast
My So-Called Midlife with Reshma Saujani
No One is Coming to Save Us
The company has become a significant voice in socially-conscious storytelling, blending entertainment with meaningful discussions.
PodX Group Acquisition: Growth and Investment
In May 2025, PodX Group, a Stockholm-based international podcast company, acquired a majority stake in Lemonada Media for approximately $30 million. This acquisition has provided:
Financial backing to expand production
Stability to support union-negotiated benefits
Resources to grow the podcast network without compromising employee welfare
The union contract ensures that this growth is shared equitably among employees, reflecting Lemonada’s commitment to its creative workforce.
Industry Comparison: Writers Guild of America East and Podcast Networks
Lemonada Media’s unionization aligns with a broader trend among podcast production companies. Other notable organizations represented by the Writers Guild of America East include:
Crooked Media
iHeart Podcast Network
Pineapple Street Studios
Pushkin Industries
The Ringer
Spotify Studios
This demonstrates a growing recognition of podcast creators’ labor rights and a shift toward formalized protections in the industry.
Employee Benefits: More Than Just Pay
The new contract addresses multiple aspects of worker well-being, not just salary increases. Highlights include:
Structured work hours and comp time: Ensuring employees are not overworked
Paid sabbaticals: Encouraging long-term commitment and creative renewal
Comprehensive severance: Offering security in uncertain times
Inclusive policies for part-time employees: Reflecting a modern and equitable workplace
These measures make Lemonada Media a model for employee-centric podcast production companies.
Industry Reactions and Significance
Union leaders and employees alike see this as a precedent-setting agreement. Analysts note that:
Podcast unions are gaining traction amid industry volatility
Employee protections can lead to higher quality content
Fair pay structures help attract top-tier talent and retain experienced staff
Lemonada Media is paving the way for other creative companies to prioritize labor rights alongside growth.
Future Outlook: Stability and Creative Growth
The new agreement positions Lemonada Media for sustainable expansion, balancing financial growth with worker satisfaction. With PodX’s backing and union protections, employees can focus on producing innovative and impactful podcasts, strengthening Lemonada’s role as a leader in socially conscious media.
First union contract ratified with full employee support
Significant salary increases and guaranteed raises
Strong worker protections including sabbaticals, severance, and paid leave
Aligns with industry-wide trend toward unionization
Demonstrates creative companies can thrive while prioritizing employee welfare
Conclusion
Lemonada Media’s newly ratified contract represents a major win for podcast creators. It reinforces the idea that fair pay, benefits, and protections are not just ethical imperatives but also strategic advantages in attracting and retaining top talent.
As the podcast industry navigates economic challenges, Lemonada Media’s model of sustainable growth and worker empowerment offers a blueprint for others in the field.
