As a seasoned gamer with years of experience navigating through digital landscapes and labor disputes, I can’t help but draw parallels between my favorite MMO games and the ongoing saga at The New Yorker. Just like in those games, where guilds band together to fight for better loot and fair treatment, unionized employees are taking a stand against their management, demanding a fair contract that values their work.
Over three years ago, the staff at The New Yorker who were part of a union announced and warned they might go on strike during a challenging first contract negotiation. This standoff reached a peak when numerous demonstrators gathered outside the Greenwich Village residence of Condé Nast executive Anna Wintour, just before an agreement was finally made.
Currently, the union representing the workforce is in talks for their second contract with parent company Condé Nast. In a vote that transpired on Wednesday, it has been learned through The Hollywood Reporter that all participating members of the negotiating group have elected to authorize a potential strike. Out of 101 eligible voters, 100 exercised their right to vote, with each casting a yes ballot, as stated by the union.
A strike authorization vote empowers a union to organize a strike if they consider it essential, but it doesn’t automatically imply that a strike will happen.
According to Hannah Aizenman, the Union chair at The New Yorker, we showed our management a commitment signed by 99% of our members, promising to do whatever is necessary to secure a fair contract. Since then, we’ve been increasing the pressure – we’ve staged protests at the boss’s office and have made our presence known throughout the workplace. Unfortunately, we haven’t observed the progress at the negotiating table that we believe is essential.
It’s no accident that the authorization vote is taking place now, as it happens just under a month before The New Yorker Festival (October 25 to 27). Notable guests at this year’s event include Rachel Maddow, Julianne Moore, Liz Cheney, Jean Smart, Dax Shepard, and Sara Bareilles. During their last contract negotiations, the union disrupted a similar high-profile event with a “digital picket” campaign, causing U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Elizabeth Warren to withdraw from the festival.
In our initial negotiations, it was the united and focused effort that ultimately secured us the favorable terms we’re aiming for this time, explains Aizenman. He also notes that the union successfully fought for a “just cause” contract clause following their previous strike at a festival. The staffers’ first union agreement was finally signed after a two-year-long process with several extended months.
According to union’s bargaining committee member and associate photo editor Allie Monck, the festival presents an excellent chance for us to directly influence the magazine, as well as the broader industry.
THR has reached out to Condé Nast and The New Yorker for comment.
The union that represents various roles at The New Yorker magazine, including fact-checkers, copy editors, story editors, and photo editors (among others), has been in discussions with Condé Nast over their latest agreement for approximately six months now. It’s important to note that the magazine’s staff writers are not included in this union. The union claims that its initial contract expired on March 31, and any “no-strike” provisions within it were only valid until July 28, which means they can potentially stage a work stoppage if necessary.
At present, negotiations between labor and management are stalled over the specifics of an agreement concerning tasks that employees can undertake outside the magazine, as per the union’s assertion. The union alleges that the company is pushing for excessive and intrusive limitations on work done outside their control. Both parties are at an impasse regarding layoff protections and matters pertaining to minimum salaries and overall wage adjustments. On September 30th, the union publicly stated via a tweet that management had proposed a new minimum salary of $61,500, which is $1,500 higher than the previous minimum. However, the union’s demand stands at $67,000.
Previously this year, while another labor conflict was ongoing, the New Yorker Union – which falls under the larger labor group, the NewsGuild of New York – engaged in a separate labor dispute with Condé Nast. The union responsible for staff at GQ, Vanity Fair, and Vogue publications led a 24-hour work stoppage on the day of Academy Award nominations announcement, and later hinted at a potential strike during the Met Gala. Fortunately, a strike was prevented just hours before the annual fashion event commenced.
In her statement, Susan DeCarava, president of NewsGuild of New York, made it clear that the same strategies could be implemented at The New Yorker come fall. If Condé Nast management fails to acknowledge the worth of their employees’ work in a contract, she warned, they can expect to see union members at The New Yorker Festival later this month. In essence, DeCarava stated that they don’t need to buy tickets; they plan on attending as guests with an invitation.
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2024-10-03 17:55