One Week Ahead of the Met Gala, Condé Nast Employees Threaten to Strike [Updated]

Just days after handing out flyers that read "Anna wears Prada/Workers get nada" during a demonstration in Anna Wintour's New York City neighborhood, unionized Condé Nast employees have declared they are "ready to walk off the job."

Condé Union and NewsGuild of New York delivered a video announcement to management members Monday threatening to strike if the publisher doesn't move forward with negotiating a fair contract. The Guild describes the move as "a kick off to what promises to be a week of union actions," per a press release.

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"Management apparently thinks it's acceptable to threaten us with more job losses and waste our time at the bargaining table," said Alma Avalle, a writer and producer for Bon Appétit, in a statement. "We are ready to do whatever it takes to get our contract and protect jobs. It's up to management to decide what happens next."

Since announcing plans to lay off over 5% of employees in November 2023, members of the Condé Union have staged several calls to action, alleging that Condé Nast management's bargaining practices violate labor law. According to Monday's press release, management has since added additional positions to its layoff list.

This announcement comes one week ahead of the Met Gala — a major fundraiser at the Metropolitan Museum of Art attended by celebrities, industry figures and billionaires. The annual event is chaired by Anna Wintour and is largely produced and supported by Vogue staffers.

"Our members are committed to getting this contract," said Susan DeCarava, President of the NewsGuild of New York. "They will not settle for anything less than a deal that honors the value they bring and their contributions to Condé’s success."

UPDATE, Monday, May 6, 10:40 a.m.: Per an email sent out Monday morning, Condé Union and NewsGuild of New York announced that unionized employees will not walk off the job due to reaching a tentative agreement with management.

Highlighted terms of the negotiation include wage increases, longer parental leave, guaranteed severance and layoff protections. (The union still has to vote to ratify the contract.)

"Our pledge to take any action necessary to get our contract, including walking off the job ahead of the Met Gala, and all the actions we took this week, pushed the company to really negotiate. We made every effort this week to meet with them and get this contract completed and we're thrilled to say we did it," said Mark Alan Burger, Vanity Fair social media manager and a member of the Condé Union bargaining team, in a statement.

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