HarperCollins US staff vote for second strike and criticise layoffs

HarperCollins employees in the US have voted to go out on strike for a second time over contract negotiations, while also criticising the publisher’s recent announcement of layoffs.

Union Local 2110 of the UAW, which represents more than 250 employees in the editorial, sales, publicity, design, legal and marketing departments, said 95.1% of balloted members backed a fresh strike. The industrial action will take place on 7th November if the publisher does not agree to a “fair contract”. 

The union first led its members out on strike in July over demands for higher pay, a greater commitment to diversifying staff and stronger union protection. It says negotiations started last December and unionised employees have been working without a contract since April 2022. The union has also filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board, saying the company has refused to provide information for bargaining.

Laura Harshberger, a senior production editor in children’s books and the union chairperson, said: “We have been bargaining for 11 months toward an agreement that would make HarperCollins a more accessible, equitable and just workplace. Once again, the members voted to authorise a strike because the company refuses to agree to a fair contract for the employees that make it so successful. This time, our mandate is even stronger, with even greater participation across union membership.”

The union said a recent announcement of layoffs at the firm came while members were voting on strike action. Chief executive officer Brian Murray told US staff last week the company would pause hiring and a small number of staff would lose their jobs. “With continued cost pressures across all areas of the supply chain, and ongoing uncertainty through the remainder of the fiscal year, we need to control costs and operate as efficiently as possible,” he said.

Stephanie Guerdan, an associate editor in children’s books, said of the announcement: “Management is citing cost-cutting as the motivation for these layoffs, but they fail to specify what other measures have been considered and implemented before putting employees’ livelihoods on the chopping block. Brian Murray’s announcement on Thursday also mentioned hiring freezes, which the company denied were happening earlier this fall. It is no surprise that our members do not trust management and want to see their commitments reflected in a union contract. We need a tangible change and not empty promises.”

The union says its workers’ salaries (mainly women) average around $55,000 annually, with a starting salary of $45,000. It also says the many employees are pressured to work extra hours without additional compensation.

HarperCollins US did not respond to a request for comment.