New Yorker, Pitchfork, Ars Technica vote to authorize strike

Employees of the New Yorker and sister Condé Nast titles Pitchfork and Ars Technica announced Friday they are willing to strike if they can’t reach an agreement with management, according to an announcement from the NewsGuild of New York, the union that represents them.

“We are now in our third year of bargaining with Condé Nast and the company has not negotiated in good faith,” the union said in another statement posted to Twitter. “From Day One, management has delayed and undermined the bargaining process by refusing to respond to proposals and information requests for months at a time (or at all), and showing up to our sessions late and unprepared.”

“If the status quo were working, we would not have unionized in the first place,” the union added.

The union is demanding wage minimums in line with the industry, a humane salary floor and regular annual increases matching the cost of living. It also pressed the company on other issues, including professional development, diversity and inclusion commitments, and editorial integrity.

When asked about the vote, a Condé Nast spokesperson in a statement praised the progress of negotiations and listed terms that the company and the union have already agreed on.

“Over the course of negotiations, The New Yorker, Pitchfork, Ars Technica, and their respective unions have reached agreement on issues ranging from Just Cause to additional paid time off to training and professional development,” the spokesperson wrote.

The company said it’s willing to give raises to everyone in the respective bargaining units and will increase entry-level employees’ minimum salaries by nearly 20 percent. It is also offering annual raises for all members.