New Yorker Union Unanimously Votes ‘YES’ to Strike

Editorial workers at the New Yorker last week unanimously voted to authorize a strike less than a month ahead of the magazine’s most star-studded and high-profile event—the 25th annual New Yorker Festival. The New Yorker Union represents editorial workers at the legendary magazine, owned by publisher Condé Nast, and is a bargaining unit of The NewsGuild of New York (TNG-CWA Local 31003). A total of 100 out of 101 members voted, and all 100 voted in favor of a strike.

Negotiations for a successor contract began in March. Throughout the bargaining process, Condé Nast management has tried to revoke many key benefits from the first contract and resisted improvements that members see as critical. The terms of the first contract expired on July 28. Members have also publicly committed to strike in their own words.

“We’ve been working without a contract for six months and a day. We’re fed up, and we won’t settle for a subpar contract. We’re ready to strike. It’s up to Condé Nast management what happens next,” said Douglas Watson, a copy editor for the New Yorker and a member of the union’s mobilizing team.

If the New Yorker Union embarks on a strike, it will mark the 35th strike by NewsGuild-CWA members in 2024.