HarperCollins US staff vote to strike

Representatives for unionised HarperCollins US employees will go on strike on 7 November, reports Publishers Weekly.

Employees have been negotiating for 11 months for a new employment agreement but have so far been unable to reach a contract with the publisher. It’s the second strike for unionised employees this year after they held a one-day strike in July.

UAW Local 2110, a union for technical, office and professional workers, represents more than 250 HarperCollins employees in the design, editorial, marketing, publicity and sales departments, who are currently working without a contract. Negotiations with management began in December last year, with the union bargaining for higher pay, improved family leave benefits, a greater commitment to diversifying staff and stronger union protection.

‘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,’ said union chair and senior production editor Laura Harshberger. ‘This time, our mandate is even stronger, with even greater participation across union membership.’

Earlier this week, HarperCollins US CEO Brian Murphy said in a memo to staff the company had eliminated ‘a small number of positions’, and is reducing non-essential travel and expenses, due to slowing industry sales and rising costs.

Category: International news