The European Federation of Journalists sent a letter to Politico CEO Jim VandeHei Thursday, expressing a number of concerns:
About reports it “is hiring journalists to cover Europe who are actually based in the ‘right-to-work’ state of Virginia.”
What the union characterizes as VandeHei’s “refusal to acknowledge the union drive occuring in your own newsroom.”
And finally, “news reports suggesting that Mike Elk, Labor reporter at POLITICO and union organizer, has been fired.” (Presumably, the union means news reports like this one. And this one. And this one…)
Politico Europe launched this past April with an office in Brussels. Reached by email, Elk said he was “just enjoying vacation” and directed me to labor lawyer Bruce Jett for clarity on his employment status. I’ve requested comment from him, and from Politico, and will update with anything I hear back.
Andrew Beaujon joined Washingtonian in late 2014. He was previously with the Poynter Institute, TBD.com, and Washington City Paper. He lives in Del Ray.
European Journalists’ Union Raises Concerns About Politico Europe
The European Federation of Journalists sent a letter to Politico CEO Jim VandeHei Thursday, expressing a number of concerns:
Politico Europe launched this past April with an office in Brussels. Reached by email, Elk said he was “just enjoying vacation” and directed me to labor lawyer Bruce Jett for clarity on his employment status. I’ve requested comment from him, and from Politico, and will update with anything I hear back.
Here’s the letter:
European Federation of Journalists Letter to Politico by Andrew Beaujon
Andrew Beaujon joined Washingtonian in late 2014. He was previously with the Poynter Institute, TBD.com, and Washington City Paper. He lives in Del Ray.
Most Popular in News & Politics
Washington DC’s 500 Most Influential People of 2025
Rock Creek Isn’t Safe to Swim In. RFK Jr. Did It Anyway.
Johnson Says Congress Will Fix DC’s Budget Eventually, Pete Hegseth Used Signal More Than We Thought, and Locals Won Pulitzers
Jeanine Pirro: 5 Things to Know About the Fox News Host Trump Picked to Be DC’s Top Prosecutor
Trump Fires Librarian of Congress, Fox News Host to Be Next Top DC Prosecutor, Possibly Rabid Actual Fox Terrorizes Arlington
Washingtonian Magazine
May Issue: 52 Perfect Saturdays
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
DC Might Be Getting a Watergate Museum
DC-Area Universities Are Offering Trump Classes This Fall
Viral DC-Area Food Truck Flavor Hive Has It in the Bag
Slugging Makes a Comeback for DC Area Commuters
More from News & Politics
A New Book About Joe Biden Has Washington Chattering, the Library Wars Continue, and the Wizards Lost Out in the Draft
Meet the Duck Whisperer of DC
Rock Creek Isn’t Safe to Swim In. RFK Jr. Did It Anyway.
Humorless Scolds Fret About Trump’s Free Plane From Qatar, RFK Jr. Swam in Rock Creek, and We’ve Got 20 New Restaurants for You to Get Excited About
This Pop-Up Museum Is All About the Teenage Experience
Jeanine Pirro: 5 Things to Know About the Fox News Host Trump Picked to Be DC’s Top Prosecutor
Trump Fires Librarian of Congress, Fox News Host to Be Next Top DC Prosecutor, Possibly Rabid Actual Fox Terrorizes Arlington
9 Embassies to Check Out During the EU Open Houses This Weekend