Harper Collins Union Strikes Through Groundhog Day

The HarperCollins Union hit Day 62 of its strike on Friday, 3 February 2023.

Just a day earlier the world’s most famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil spotted his shadow.

Will we see eight more weeks of striking? The workers at HarperCollins have reached Day 62 of their strike “for higher pay, a greater commitment to diversifying staff, and stronger union protection.” The strike, authorized in October, comes after months of little progress toward a new contract and a one-day strike in July.

Let's hope the union groundhog doesn't see his shadow today! #GroundhogDay #HCPONSTRIKE pic.twitter.com/4wqbwBENPC

— HarperCollins Union on strike since 11/10/22 (@hcpunion) February 2, 2023

As the year end holidays came and went, the workers at Harper Collins held the line. President and CEO Brian Murray has shown little interest in coming to the negotiating table, and seems more concerned with lobbying authors and agents to side with management. See his open letter to authors and agents back in December.

A mediation commenced on February 1st in an attempt to spur talks. Strikers shared the goals they were striking for at a recent rally:

At yesterday's rally, Erika shared that during mediation, she really wants us to lock down union security in our contract, because being on strike has shown her that it's only through union protections and power that we have any hope of getting a contract we deserve. pic.twitter.com/OjR8QcjMr8

— HarperCollins Union on strike since 11/10/22 (@hcpunion) February 1, 2023

Mediation is happening RIGHT NOW! Yesterday we asked union members to share what they hoped would come out of the meetings. Genessee hopes that HarperCollins will remember that we, the striking workers, are just people trying to make ends meet. pic.twitter.com/y6Zk6smUjv

— HarperCollins Union on strike since 11/10/22 (@hcpunion) February 1, 2023

The latest word from HCU? Hold the line!

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