Our vote for union recognition is one week away! The HR team at @springernature.com stated their stance: “We hope you will conclude that voting “no” is the right choice for you.” We’re confident we deserve fair and equitable workplace representation and are excited to vote YES on Tuesday June 2nd. ✊
Today, @springernature.com has invited staff to a third “informational meeting” with union-buster Ronn English. Who knew “union avoidance” was a recognized skill on LinkedIn?
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Thanks to @springernature.com HR and their representatives, we’ve heard a lot of silly union-busting comments and we’re close to hitting bingo! We can’t wait for tomorrow to say we’ve voted YES to recognition.
Why did the Scientific American union choose mitochondria as our symbol? A key part of working at @sciam.bsky.social is caring about getting good science to people. To that end, please enjoy some mitochondria fun facts! 1/🧵
For example, a telltale sign of an unhealthy mitochondrion is an irregular inner membrane folding pattern. But when in contact with with other mitochondria, those folds realign into a healthier pattern.
It’s official! @springernature.com refused voluntary recognition and is requiring a vote on June 2. 🙄 An overwhelming majority of staff signed union cards, so forcing a vote disrespects our voices. We’re not fooled, we know a union-busting tactic when we see it—but it won’t work! 👊
Mitochondria are dynamic. They can morph from one shape to another, swell and contract, and even divide and recombine. Recent research has revealed complex interactions between mitochondria.
Mitochondria are widely known as the “powerhouse of the cell,” a phrase popularized by an article from P. Siekevitz in the July 1957 issue of Scientific American. The nickname reflects their ability to convert oxygen and foodstuffs into ATP—a form of usable energy.
As biologist M. Picard wrote in the June 2025 issue of Scientific American, “Mitochondria communicate, both within their own cells and among other cells, reaching out to support one another in times of need and generally helping the community flourish.” We’re proud to help @sciam.bsky.social thrive!
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As Siekevitz put it, “Some of the energy of ATP is used in the mitochondrion, but most of the ATP is immediately shot out to power the other activities of the cell.”
