HarperCollins US and union to begin mediation

HarperCollins US has reached an agreement with the employee union to engage an independent mediator “in the hope of clearing a path forward”. 

The publisher announced the development in a company-wide memo, Publishers Weekly reported. Union employees have been on strike since 10th November over contracts, pay and diversity.  

“We entered negotiations eager to find common ground and we have remained committed to achieving a fair and reasonable contract throughout this process,” the memo from HarperCollins’ v.p. of human resources, Zandra Magariño, said. “We are optimistic that a mutually agreed-upon mediator can help find the solutions that have eluded us so far. 

“HarperCollins has had a union for 80 years, with a long history of successful and fair contract negotiations. The company has the exact same goal now, and is actively working to achieve it.”  

The union confirmed the news in its own release. Olga Brudastova, president of Local 2110 UAW, said, “We are excited to have this opportunity to continue bargaining with HarperCollins and hope they finally are ready to put a fair offer on the table. We have been on strike for over two months. It is time for us to resolve any outstanding differences and attempt to reset our relationship.” 

The union, posting on social media, stressed the development meant its “pressure campaign is working” and said the strike would continue until a fair contract agreement was rerached. "Please continue to hold the line,” it concluded. 

The union is planning two rallies for next week: on 31st January outside HarperCollins offices and on 2nd February outside parent company NewsCorp’s offices.