A year after employees announced their intent to organize, the Duke University Press union has been certified. The union announced on Twitter that the National Labor Relations Board denied the university’s appeal of an October decision overruling the university’s objections to the election. The union joins the The NewsGuild-CWA’s Washington-Baltimore Local 32035.
University presses
Oxford University Press Union Certified
Oxford University Press USA staffers voted Friday to certify OUP USA Guild as an official union with the support of 80 percent of eligible employees. The NewsGuild-CWA says the group is the first major academic publisher to join the union. OUP USA president Niko Pfund commented: “We wanted this decision to be made via a democratic election and, now that it has been, we look forward to moving ahead to the next step. I’m grateful to all our colleagues who participated in this process, in particular for everyone’s civility and their sustained commitment to a sense of community.” The vote […]
UNC Press Responds to Chair Reappointment Controversy
The University of North Carolina Press released a statement yesterday following the refusal of the UNC System Board of Governors to reappoint the Press’s existing and renominated chair Eric Muller, who spoke out about the university’s handling of race and history. Vice chair of the UNC Press board Lisa Levenstein and director of UNC Press John Sherer write that many individuals and organizations have “rightfully voiced support for the reelection of Eric Muller,” who “served tirelessly and brilliantly as chair of the board during one of the most successful periods in the history of the Press.” While underscoring the Press’s […]
UNC Press Chair Denied Reappointment
Professor Eric Muller, chair of the University of North Carolina Press Board of Governors, announced on Twitter that the university’s board of governors has, in an unprecedented move, denied his reappointment to the board. Muller has served two five-year terms on the board, six of which as chairman. “I would hate to think it had something to do with my public commentary in recent years on matters of law, race, and history,” he wrote. “I would hate to think it had something to do with my focusing public attention on ways in which the law has ignored and harmed the […]
Unions: Oxford University Press USA Employees Form Union
New York-based employees at Oxford University Press USA have unionized, joining the NewsGuild-CWA. In a statement, they state their priorities as: Job security in a diverse workplace Dignified salary and benefits that keep pace with cost of living Defined job responsibilities, reporting structures, workload & company policies Improved career development and evaluative processes Comprehensive action to resolve issues of sexual harassment & the longstanding, unsustainable rate of attrition The new union told PL, “There are roughly 165 in-unit, and we have the support of 75% of those employees.” On Twitter, it said, “If senior management does not voluntarily recognize us, […]
Acquisitions: A Big Buy for Wiley, and More Titles for Chicago Review Press
Wiley announced the acquisition of open-access publisher Hindawi Limited, “one of the world’s fastest growing scientific research publishers,” for a total purchase price of $298 million. “The acquisition of Hindawi enables Wiley to move farther and faster toward our goal of meeting the world’s urgent and escalating need for new knowledge,” said Wiley ceo Brian Napack. London-based Hindawi expects to record $40 million in sales for 2020, with year over year growth of 50 percent. Chicago Review Press has acquired half of Fulcrum Publishing‘s list, comprising 126 new and backlist titles across graphic novel, gardening, natural history, and travel. The acquisition expands […]