Andrew Janjigian
Former Senior Editor, Cook’s Illustrated
11 YEARS AT ATK

My time at ATK made me into the chef and writer I am today, but that came despite management, and not because of it. Especially in the last few years of my time there, the company became increasingly corporate and increasingly interested in the bottom line rather than the welfare of their employees, the people responsible for generating nearly all of the content.

ATK has long been loath to recognize talent within its ranks when it isn't camera-ready. Those who seek to get on TV (or who have a natural affinity for video or TV work) get groomed as "talent," while everyone else must fight for the recognition they deserve or desire. In part, this is because management has little sense of who generates the actual content they sell.

I had talents and things to say that ATK was clearly not interested in nurturing or promoting within its walls.

A union would begin to fix the imbalance of power between those who hold the purse strings and those who do the work that creates the content that actually pays the bills. It would give employees a voice in their own welfare.

Former Digital Team Member
6 YEARS AT ATK

I found myself spending too much time and energy dealing with the blowback of poor decisions made by management that directly affected my and my colleagues’ work, rather than being able to focus on executing on our projects. We were often asked to operate under unrealistic deadlines without the resources we needed to reach our goals. There were also never clear benchmarks or guidelines for how to advance in the organization, especially if you weren't interested in being a people manager.

A union would hold the company accountable and ensure that the workers are able to negotiate livable salaries. ATK actively chooses to underpay employees in every department of the organization, but the company should be especially embarrassed by the low wages it offers to the editorial and kitchen operations teams. ATK should relish the opportunity to do beyond the bare minimum for the people who create the incredible content that is at the core of the business. It's not enough for ATK to rest on its laurels—reputation doesn't pay the bills.

Former Senior Editor
7 YEARS AT ATK

ATK is a special place: the work is unique, the people are wonderful, and the fans are incredible. However, upper management has completely ruined the shining light that ATK could be . . . Some teams have FOUR executive editors all making six figures while the employees actually doing the work and developing the recipes can expect to make below industry standard (and half to a third of what the "chosen few" on their team are making). Employees can expect to be gaslit and devalued by leadership, told they're replaceable, and paid in the "prestige" being part of the brand offers.

I left ATK because I was essentially promised a promotion and then denied it when the time actually came. I was also asked to sign a non-compete agreement that would devalue my worth in the marketplace but was refused any additional compensation for signing it. I had to retain a lawyer (at my own cost) to advise me on the predatory (and potentially illegal) non-compete management asked me to sign.

The company cries poverty when presenting its workers with 2% to 3% annual increases that barely touch the cost of living. However, folks in leadership roles receive generous raises and access to a secret bonus plan. While that bonus program pays out yearly, ATK's "profit sharing plan" (if it even still exists) has never paid out to its staff . . . a union is necessary to protect the staff that makes up the heart and soul of ATK.

I think any fan of the brand would be shocked to know that ATK is such a predatory place to work.

Former Associate Editor
3 YEARS AT ATK

I left to learn and grow more in my career. I left because the environment—not the people—and the infrastructure in place were creatively stifling. And like any big company, there was a lack of transparency in terms of key decision making and internal restructuring. Above all, the pay was not commensurate with the quality and quantity of work I was putting out. Too many people were just coasting in their jobs, riding the 9-5 corporate wave, putting in the bare minimum, while a smaller minority of people like me were busting their asses and actually cared. But where did it get us? A meager 10k pay bump on top of a dog shit starting salary over 3 years, and maybe some gratuitous screen time on PBS? Cool.

It's important to have a voice for those who might not have the means or the will to advocate for what they deserve. Workers deserve transparency. Workers deserve good pay. Mostly, workers deserve to feel valued and accepted for who they are, regardless of race, religion, gender identity, or sexual orientation. ATK is run by white men in tight shirts and slick hair—and that is the crux of a problem that spans more than 20 years. A couple years' worth of reactionary virtue signaling, targeted hiring, diversity training and lip service isn't enough. The whiteness is systemic, the demonstrations of privilege and elitism are deafening. Bring value to your workers, and your workers bring value to you. Just pay the people, and watch them fly.

Former Assistant Test Cook
3 YEARS AT ATK

I loved it there. It was an amazing company to work for. For the most part, everyone there seemed to really enjoy their jobs and managers treat you very well. Work environment was positive and taught me a lot.

[I left for] financial reasons. The company didn’t pay enough to afford to live in Boston.

Unionizing would help bring awareness to higher-ups that employees who dedicate a lot of their time and energy into the company aren’t being valued the way that they should.

Former Digital Marketing Coordinator & Associate Editor
WORKED AT ATK “FOR TOO LONG”

It was not ideal at all, especially for your first professional career job. It’s disturbing to get poor mentorship because that’s what creates bad bosses. It taught me how I don’t want to be treated and to make sure I am respected at any company I move on to. Also, NEVER overstay your welcome.

[I left ATK because of] low salary, lack of recognition for hard work, poor management, and [ATK] could not maintain a diverse staff.

A union would 100% force higher-ups to hear and listen to workers. Hopefully, pay them appropriately as well. ATK workers work way too hard to get paid an unrealistic living wage.