Grindr employees look to unionize

Driven in part by the nationwide hostility towards the LGBTQ community, Grindr employees announced a unionization effort on July 20. 

Employees at the LGBTQ dating app are mounting the labor effort together as Grindr United and working with the Communications Workers of America, one of the United States’ largest unions dedicated to helping those in the news media, the airlines, broadcast and cable television, public service, higher education, health care, manufacturing, high tech, and more. 

Workers say the nationwide attacks prompted them to focus on fighting for numerous changes to their work experience such as gift-matching, pay increases to keep up with the economy, a professional development budget, and severance protocols.

“Through our union we will preserve and expand the things we love about Grindr, like trans-inclusive health care and remote work options,” said Erick Cortez, knowledge specialist and union member. “Additionally, we seek clear protections against layoffs in the midst of an evolving industry. Lastly, we want to foster a workplace where everyone can speak up without fear of retaliation and find opportunities for career growth. Together, we’re committed to creating a stronger, more inclusive Grindr for workers and users.”

The fight for unionization coincides with a recent change in power within the company. Grindr is now led by George Arison, the CEO of the dating platform.

Arison has been seen tweeting online about his support for conservatives such as former president Donald Trump and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, both of whom have been known for their anti-LGBTQ policies, despite Arison himself being a gay man with a husband and children. In 2022, Arison even commented that Youngkin should run for president, while in 2020 he noted his support for “some Trump policies.”

Grindr employees explained that their reasoning for unionizing was also attributed to the way in which “leadership has not adequately taken a stand against discrimination, disenfranchisement, or the erosion of the rights of trans individuals CEO and his beliefs. They said they want to not only protect their own rights as workers and, largely, LGBTQ individuals, but also those who use their app. 

The workers unionizing cover a wide range of departments that are behind the functioning, creation, and utilization of the dating platform, such as cloud engineering, customer experience, design, engineering, IT, marketing, privacy, product, and quality assurance.