Verbs ordinarily follow subjects. When this normal order is reversed, it is easy to become confused. Sentences beginning with there is or there are (or there was or there were) are inverted; the subject follows the verb.

The subject, worker and journalist, is plural, so the verb must be were.

Occasionally you may decide to invert a sentence for variety or effect. When you do so, check to make sure that your subject and verb agree.

The subject, penicillin and tetracycline, is plural, so the verb must be are.