Unionized Journalists Walk Out On Forbes Magazine’s Biggest Day Of The Year

Unionized editorial staff at Forbes – who ordinarily would be staffing the launch of the magazine’s most important issue of the year, “30 Under 30” – have walked off the job. The one-day ULP work stoppage is in protest of the business magazine’s continued intransigence at the bargaining table and repeated labor law violations.  

“CEO Mike Federle said at a recent town hall that management is eager to get a contract but that it seems like a very long way off. That’s because of his actions and that of management,” said Andrea Murphy, unit chair and statistics editor for Forbes. “We have been and will continue to be ready to get this contract done, including pay that recognizes the value we bring to Forbes. We walked out today, on the day of the “30 Under 30” launch, to show that value and to make it clear that we will not stand for management’s violations of labor law.”

The “30 Under 30” issue is arguably the most important day of the year for Forbes. It features 20 lists of 30 highly influential people under 30 years old who are recognized for their achievements in various industries. “30 Under 30” is not only high-profile for Forbes it’s also important financially.

But as management celebrates the launch of the issue, it continues to stall at the bargaining table. The Forbes Union organized with The NewsGuild of New York in 2021 and for nearly three years workers have been fighting for a first contract, only to be met with disrespect and illegal, union-busting tactics by Forbes management. Read more here, in The Guardian, and The Wrap.