After three-month strike, HarperCollins and striking workers reach tentative agreement

Following a nearly three-month-long work stoppage, HarperCollins Publishers and a union representing more than 200 employees announced that they had tentatively reached an agreement on a new labour deal.

The workers who went on strike on November 10 still need to approve the agreement. Olga Brudastova, head of United Auto Workers Local 2110, announced on Thursday night that the union will not protest on Friday outside the lower Manhattan office where the publisher is based.

According to the two parties, the deal also includes a one-time $1,500 payout to union members after the contract is approved, as well as “increases to minimum salary across levels over the length of the agreement.”

The beginning salary was raised from $45,000 to $50,000 as part of earlier union demands, and a stronger commitment to a more diverse staff was also made. The agreement would be in effect until December 31, 2025, if approved. Since April 2022, the union has been operating without a contract.

Employees in the editorial, sales, and publicity departments are among those the union represents.

News Corp. owns both HarperCollins Publishers and The Wall Street Journal. HarperCollins Publishers’ sales declined 14% and segment profitability fell 52% during the three months that concluded on December 31, according to a report released by News Corp on Thursday.

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According to News Corp Chief Executive Robert Thomson, the fall was due to a slowdown in book purchases following a pandemic-inspired upswing as well as the ongoing effects of Amazon.com Inc.’s logistical problems. The business said a quarter ago that HarperCollins’ physical book sales on the platform had decreased as a result of Amazon’s decision to reduce inventory levels and close facilities.