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:

• 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.

Here’s the letter:

European Federation of Journalists Letter to Politico by Andrew Beaujon

Andrew Beaujon

Senior editor

Andrew Beaujon joined Washingtonian in late 2014. He was previously with the Poynter Institute, TBD.com, and Washington City Paper. His book A Bigger Field Awaits Us: The Scottish Soccer Team That Fought the Great War was published in 2018. He lives in Del Ray.