Hundreds of authors give support to striking workers at HarperCollins

https://www.npr.org/2022/12/08/ [login to see] /hundreds-of-authors-give-support-to-striking-workers-at-harpercollins
More than 500 authors have signed a letter supporting members of the HarperCollins Union, who are currently on strike. The signees include HarperCollins' own authors and those associated with other publishers, including names such as Barbara Kingsolver, Jacqueline Woodson, Kwame Alexander, and more.

The letter was sent to HarperCollins Publishing CEO Brian Collins and HarperCollins Children's Books President Suzanne Murphy on Thursday morning.

"We stand with the people who mold and champion our work and ask that they be compensated justly and fairly for their labor," the letter reads. "Our hope is that HarperCollins will not be satisfied with meeting an industry standard that is far too low to retain top talent."

Union members at HarperCollins, one of the biggest publishers in the country, have been on strike since November 10, and have been working without a contract since April. The workers are demanding stronger union protections, better family leave policies, and better pay. According to a recent report done by the New York City Mayor's office looking at the economic impact of the publishing industry, the median annual salary for an editor is $85,000.