NEW YORK – Unionized editorial staff at Forbes – who ordinarily would be staffing the launch of the magazine’s most important issue of the year, “30 Under 30” – have walked off the job. The one-day ULP work stoppage is in protest of the business magazine’s continued intransigence at the bargaining table and repeated labor law violations.
“CEO Mike Federle said at a recent town hall that management is eager to get a contract but that it seems like a very long way off. That’s because of his actions and that of management,” said Andrea Murphy, unit chair and statistics editor for Forbes. “We have been and will continue to be ready to get this contract done, including pay that recognizes the value we bring to Forbes. We walked out today, on the day of the “30 Under 30” launch, to show that value and to make it clear that we will not stand for management’s violations of labor law.”
The “30 Under 30” issue is arguably the most important day of the year for Forbes. It features 20 lists of 30 highly influential people under 30 years old who are recognized for their achievements in various industries. “30 Under 30” is not only high-profile for Forbes it’s also important financially.
But as management celebrates the launch of the issue, it continues to stall at the bargaining table. The Forbes Union organized with The NewsGuild of New York in 2021 and for nearly three years workers have been fighting for a first contract, only to be met with disrespect and illegal, union-busting tactics by Forbes management.
Critically important issues for Forbes Union include:
● Wages, including setting strong and fair salary minimums for every position
● Reductions in Force, which guarantees protections in the event of a layoff
● Severance language that establishes minimums and provides healthcare coverage.
The Forbes Union is also demanding that the company stop illegally and unilaterally pulling people out of the bargaining unit. The NewsGuild of New York filed an unfair labor practice charge against Forbes on the issue.
Union-busting behavior by management – both at the bargaining table and in the workplace – has been prevalent since Forbes Union was certified.
“Forbes’ success with ‘30 Under 30” is a direct result of our members’ hard work,” said Susan DeCarava, president of The NewsGuild of NY. “It’s long past time for management to recognize that fact with a fair contract.”
FOR THE MEDIA: Forbes Union members will be holding an in-person rally on Tuesday, December 3rd at 2 pm outside Forbes on Fifth, 24 5th Avenue, New York, New York. Following the rally, union members will picket until about 4:30 p.m.
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ABOUT THE NEWSGUILD OF NEW YORK
The NewsGuild of New York, Local 31003 of the Communications Workers of America, is a labor union representing nearly 6,000 media professionals and other employees at New York area news organizations, including The New York Times, The New Yorker, Thomson Reuters, The Nation, BuzzFeed News, TIME, PEOPLE, Wirecutter, and The Daily Beast. The NewsGuild of New York advocates for journalists to have a voice in the newsroom, for press freedom, for inclusive and diverse workplaces, and for just cause, no exceptions, for all media professionals.