Home / Business and Economy / Union Strike Looms Over Hearst Magazine Contract
Union Strike Looms Over Hearst Magazine Contract
12 Feb
Summary
- 410 union employees at 29 Hearst publications are ready to strike.
- Demands include job protections and against AI use.
- Strike authorization follows rallies in multiple cities.
A potential strike is on the horizon for more than 400 unionized employees across 29 Hearst Magazine publications. The Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) has authorized a strike, set to commence if a fair contract renewal is not agreed upon by Friday, February 13th. Negotiations have been ongoing for over two months, with the union expressing dissatisfaction with Hearst's offers regarding job security and AI protections.
Workers at prominent magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Elle, Esquire, Harper's Bazaar, and Good Housekeeping are united in their demands. Over 85% of union members have signed a strike pledge, and thousands have voiced support through letters to management. Previous actions include walkouts and rallies held on February 3rd at Hearst Tower in New York City and other locations in Los Angeles, Easton, Pa., Ann Arbor, Mich., and Birmingham, Ala.
The Hearst Magazines Union, established in 2019, represents staff from a wide array of titles, including Autoweek, Car and Driver, Delish, Men's Health, and Seventeen. The WGA East's Online Media Sector also represents employees at numerous other media companies. The union emphasizes the need for sustainable careers and meaningful protections during a challenging period for journalism.
