WorkFriends is an award-winning media strategy firm dedicated to empowering unions and their members. We’ve proudly collaborated with unions such as AFSCME Council 31, Amazonians United Chicagoland, Teamsters Local 705, Illinois Nurses Association, Railroad Workers United, Teamsters for a Democratic Union, and Essential Workers for Democracy. Our staff is affiliated with the NewsGuild-CWA Chicago, making WorkFriends a proudly union-affiliated shop.

Founded in 2021, WorkFriends was spurred by the need for renewed workplace organizing and a redefined relationship between unions, the media, and the public at large, as communications and media infrastructure had been left at the wayside by unions as they withdrew from public discourse. Since then, WorkFriends founder Peter Lyngso has been recognized for his efforts earning a spot on Forbes 30 Under 30. We’ve received numerous awards from the International Labor Communications Association. WorkFriends operates differently from traditional consulting firms, functioning as a worker cooperative that prioritizes agility and delivering more value while avoiding price gouging. Our work is inherently progressive, dedicated to amplifying the voices of the rank and file, and creating compelling, strategic narratives that drive change.

WorkFriends brings together a specialized collection of skills and knowledge tailored for unions. This includes expertise in bargaining, labor law, power analysis, strategic research, and an understanding of both corporate and government entities. We know how and where leverage can be applied to extract concessions, allowing us to deliver more impactful and creative services. This specialized approach sets us apart from more generalized communication shops that serve politicians or non-profits.