Unions

An “overwhelming majority” of eligible employees at Catapult, Counterpoint, Soft Skull, and Hawthorne Books voted to form a union with the National Labor Relations Board, the union announced on social media. They are part of UAW Local 2110, the same union that represents employees at Harper Collins and Abrams. They will now bargain for a contract with the company, in which they hope to gain higher salaries, increased job security, and more transparency from management. The union comprises approximately 20 employees.    

Dark Horse Comics has voluntarily recognized the workers’ union with the National Labor Relations Board. In a statement, interim ceo Jay Komas noted that, “Voluntary recognition is an unusual step for employers, but in doing so Dark Horse intends to reaffirm its commitment that this new leadership wants to do things differently and enter into good-faith bargaining.” “I understand the employees’ disappointment with how issues have historically been addressed. You’ve taken this step because you believe Dark Horse can be better. So do I,” Komas wrote. “Over the years, this company has asked a great deal of its employees. People […]

In a vote of 77–4, employees at the American Library Association approved the creation of their union, American Libraries magazine reports. ALA Workers United will join the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31 and will begin collective bargaining with management. Separately, workers at comics publisher Dark Horse Media are asking management to voluntarily recognize their union, Dark Horse Workers United. The DHWU aims to “improve job security, wages, and benefits,” “create a transparent and equitable workplace culture,” and “acquire a seat at the table when critical decisions are made.”

The University of Chicago Press declined to voluntarily recognize the union its workers formed earlier this month. Employees will hold a hybrid election in June, with in-person workers based in the main office voting in person, and remote workers and Chicago Distribution center workers voting by mail. If the workers win the election, the union will become a unit of the Chicago News Guild, TNG-CWA Local 3407. The UCP Workers guild writes in its mission statement that’s it’s fighting for “pay equity, sustainability, and transparency.” A letter-writing campaign has resulted in 3,000 letters of support.

Hachette Book Group has launched a campaign telling employees, “Why we believe Hachette is stronger without a union,” distributing flyers through its company portal and in its common spaces. Earlier this month, the company declined to voluntarily recognize the union being organized by the Hachette Workers Coalition. At the time, the company said in a statement, “Hachette Book Group respects employees’ right to engage in the unionization process.” They said of a secret union ballot, “We believe this is the most appropriate way for every eligible employee to make an informed and private choice, and ensure their voice is heard […]

The Hachette Workers Coalition, the body of workers unionizing Hachette Book Group, says the publisher has denied voluntary recognition. The Coalition will proceed with an election, a yes or no vote over whether to unionize. HBG wrote in a statement to PL: “Hachette Book Group respects employees’ right to engage in the unionization process. The Washington-Baltimore News Guild has filed a petition with the NLRB seeking a secret ballot election in conjunction with its request for voluntary recognition, and Hachette has decided to follow the well-established process for a secret ballot election. We believe this is the most appropriate way […]