HarperCollins US staff walk out again in open-ended strike

HarperCollins in the US has said it will continue to discuss proposals made by the United Auto Workers Union (UAW), as employees walked out on strike again over contracts, pay and diversity. 

Unionised employees of the US publisher walked out on 10th November and intend to remain on strike indefinitely until an agreement is reached. It is the second strike the union has organised over contract negotiations.

Union members formed picket lines at 195 Broadway in Manhattan’s Financial District, where the publishers offices are located, beginning at 8.30am. PIcketers have said they intend to return on consecutive days, and remain until new contracts are greenlit by their employer. 

A spokesperson for the company said: “HarperCollins has agreed to a number of proposals that the United Auto Workers Union is seeking to include in a new contract. We are disappointed an agreement has not been reached and will continue to negotiate in good faith.”

Union Local 2110 of the UAW represents more than 250 employees in the editorial, sales, publicity, design, legal and marketing departments. 

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.

The average salary at the company is $55,000 annually, and the majority of employees are women, the union says. HarperCollins, which is owned by News Corp, reported a fall in global revenue for the three months to September 30th.