Condé Nast Union Threatens Strike Ahead of Met Gala

After months of negotiations over its first contract and proposed layoffs, the Condé Nast Union introduced a majority of members — representing titles together with Vainness Truthful, GQ, Glamour and Bon Appétit — have pledged “to stroll off the job” if progress will not be made on contract negotiations, which have “moved at a glacial tempo” in keeping with a press release from the NewsGuild of New York, the union’s organising physique.

The union delivered the announcement by way of a video at a bargaining session at present, promising “every week of union actions” within the assertion. It comes every week earlier than the Met Gala, which is sponsored by Condé Nast, hosted by Anna Wintour, Vogue editor-in-chief and Condé Nast chief content material officer and is traditionally staffed by Vogue workers.

”Our members are dedicated to getting this contract,” stated Susan DeCarava, president of the NewsGuild of New York within the assertion. “They won’t accept something lower than a deal that honours the worth they convey and their contributions to Condé’s success.”

Condé Nast didn’t reply to a request for remark.

The union has been negotiating its first contract with Condé Nast administration since its formation in 2022. In November 2023, Condé Nast introduced plans to lay off five percent of its workforce, which incorporates 17 % of the union’s members. Since then, tense negotiations over the contract and layoffs have ensued, and in keeping with the union, have lately stalled. Each the NewsGuild and Condé Nast administration have lodged unfair labour follow complaints in opposition to each other with the Nationwide Labor Relations Board over their respective bargaining practices.

As negotiations have continued, the union has tried to show up the stress on Condé Nast administration. In January, 400 staffers staged a one-day stroll out on the day Oscar nominations had been introduced, a high traffic day for a lot of Condé properties. Final week, on April 25, members marched by way of Wintour’s neighbourhood, New York’s Greenwich Village, chanting “Condé Nasty you may’t disguise, we are able to see your grasping aspect,” and carrying posters that learn “Bosses Put on Prada, Staff Get Nada.”

Study extra:

Condé Nast Set to Lay Off 5 Percent of Workforce

The writer of titles like Vogue and Vainness Truthful introduced in a observe despatched to workers on Tuesday that it will lay off 5 % of its workforce — round 270 workers, primarily in its video division, Condé Nast Leisure — following a restructuring.