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The most compelling story in publishing this fall isnt the latestliterarysensationor agossipy celebrity memoir.
Its 250 employees at the second-largest book publisher in the countrygoing on striketo demand a fair contract.
Workers are still pushing contract proposals for higher pay, more union security, and codifying diversity protections.
HarperCollins is currently the only major publisher with unionized employees.
Theres no money on the table.
Our proposal right now would only increase payroll by less than a million dollars in the first year.
Managements proposal is only $14,000.
In the third quarter of 2022, ending September 30, the companys earnings were $39 million.
The starting salary at HarperCollins is $45,000 per year pretax.
HarperCollinsstated via emailthat it would not engage in further bargaining sessions.
Youre told that if you just work really hard, you’ve got the option to do it.
But then you have to live the reality of living on $45,000 pre-taxes in New York City.
(A box of croissants had arrived from friends at Penguin Random House that morning.)
A few years ago, PRH raised its starting salary, and HarperCollins soon followed.
There would be a ripple effect if we had pay improved, Harshberger noted.
Theres just no excuse for $45,000, and yet that is the standard across the entire industry.
They have created this model where they underpaid people on purpose.
Many of HarperCollinss own high-profile authors are standing with the union.
The reason for their support, along with that of literary agents, is simple.
How the HarperCollins strike might affect other publishing houses is still unknown.
Everybody is so invigorated and cheering us on, said Guerdon.
I have so many friends at different houses who are like, Im rooting for you.
