RBmedia Lays Off 22 Graphic Audio Employees Amid Union Bargaining

In February 2024 RBmedia, the Maryland parent of the Rockville-based audiobook studio Graphic Audio, terminated 22 employees—half of the 46-person bargaining unit—including all four members of the collective-bargaining committee. The cuts came after Graphic Audio’s staff voted overwhelmingly to unionize with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 2108 in August 2023 and entered bargaining. RBmedia told staff it was pivoting to a “full-cast productions of bestsellers” model, which would require fewer titles and therefore fewer workers. The layoffs occurred amid ongoing negotiations on wages, benefits, and job security.

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A company spokesperson said RBmedia is shifting to a model that concentrates on full-cast productions of best-selling titles and that staffing levels are linked to the number of such audiobooks produced. The spokesperson described the layoffs as a legitimate business decision based on seniority and said the company respects employees’ right to organize. RBmedia also announced severance, continuation of health benefits, and outplacement services for the affected workers.

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Creative director Megan Hastie called the layoffs suspect, noting the loss of half the bargaining unit and the entire committee. She said the company’s rapid hiring before the union vote created a short-term profit strategy that jeopardized long-term sustainability. Administrative director Lisa Fazzini of the CWA District 2-13 described the timing as unexpected and expressed doubts about the business rationale. Documents show RBmedia paid $31,351 to Employer Labor Solutions, a Texas-based anti-union consulting firm, in 2023, fueling further suspicion of anti-union motives.

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RBmedia frames the layoffs as a cost-management measure linked to a reduced production slate. Union representatives argue the action may breach the “status-quo” protections that limit unilateral changes during bargaining. No legal ruling has been issued, and RBmedia has not confirmed whether the cuts were retaliatory.

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• “What they told us was that they are pivoting their business model,” — Megan Hastie, Creative Director, Graphic Audio

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• “Since full-cast audiobooks are expensive to produce, it’s important that we invest resources carefully,” — RBmedia spokesperson

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• “RBmedia respects the rights of Graphic Audio employees to unionize,” — RBmedia spokesperson

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• “We had scheduled sessions. We had gone through one day of full bargaining, and then it was like the next day that they dropped this bomb—giving no indication in any of these talks.” — Lisa Fazzini, Administrative Director, CWA District 2-13

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• “To me, [the rapid hiring] felt like a recipe for short-term profit at the expense of long-term sustainability,” — Megan Hastie, Creative Director, Graphic Audio

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Graphic Audio staff are rebuilding the bargaining committee and plan to resume contract talks in June 2024. The union and RBmedia remain engaged in negotiations, while laid-off employees receive severance and outplacement assistance.

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