HarperCollins to cut 5% of its North American workforce

In the US, HarperCollins plans to cut 5% of its employees in North American by 30 June, reports Publishers Weekly.

In a memo to employees, HarperCollins CEO Brian Murray said the sales surge from the pandemic has ‘slowed significantly as of late’, with lagging demand compounded by ‘unprecedented supply chain and inflationary pressures caused by the pandemic, including increasing paper, manufacturing, labour and distribution costs’.

‘We must pause to recognise the depth of the core issues we currently face,’ he wrote, calling it ‘a critical juncture for the organization’.

News of the layoffs comes after the publisher and the union representing its striking employees recently agreed to have an independent mediator take over ongoing labour negotiations.

Category: International news