HarperCollins Workers Pass 40 Days on Strike with No Response from Company

Workers at HarperCollins Publishers entered 2023 still on strike, more than 40 days after about 250 employees at the publishing giant walked out when contract negotiations broke down in November. UAW Local 2110, which represents the workers, believes that HC intends to hire temporary workers, such as editors, designers, marketers and sales reps to temporarily replace striking employees. But striking book editors, sales associates, designers, marketers and other workers have stayed on their picket line in the Financial District, and workers say their resolve has only strengthened.

“The longer the strike goes the more resolve and determination the rank and file seem to have,” Stephanie Guerdan, an associate editor in the children’s books department told The Chief. “People who might've been a difficult ‘yes’ on the strike vote are now some of our most engaged and passionate members.”

Workers, who have been without a contract since April, are asking for higher wages, stronger commitments to diversifying staff and better family leave. The mainly women workers average $55,000 annually, with a starting salary of $45,000. Many employees cite pressure to work extra hours without additional compensation. The company, one of the top five book publishers globally, reported record-setting profits in the past two years.

Read more in The Chief, follow the workers on Twitter for updates and click here to sign a Solidarity letter!