Book publishing business HarperCollins has reached an agreement with its US union, that includes a pay increase and bonus for employees.
Nearly 250 members of staff, who are part of the union, have been on strike since 10 November 2022 over the terms of their contracts.
The deal included guaranteed paid overtime, annual increases to minimum salary at each level for each year of the contract, starting from $47,500 this year, $48,500 in 2024, and $50,000 in 2025, a $1,500 ratification bonus and guaranteed annual raises for staff following positive performance reviews.
HarperCollins also increased the total number of paid holiday and personal days from 15 to 17, introduced one paid volunteer day per year, and established a return-to-office date of 1 July 2023, allowing employees to work fully remotely until then if they want to.
In addition, a joint labour and management committee was established, with any time spent working on the committee and diversity and inclusion activities treated as work time and paid accordingly, as well as an increase in the number of union stewards, release time for members to attend monthly union meetings, and new hire orientation led by union members.
A HarperCollins Union spokesperson said: “We are very proud of what our strike accomplished and grateful for all the support we have received over the last three months. We will continue to use this space to educate the public on why unions are needed in book publishing and to advocate for our members' needs. We are excited to be going back to work, but we know our fight will continue every day to guarantee HarperCollins is a diverse, safe, and inclusive workplace for all of us.”
A HarperCollins spokesperson added: “HarperCollins Publishers and the Association of HarperCollins Employees affiliated with Local 2110 of the United Auto Workers, which represents more than two hundred HarperCollins employees, have reached a tentative agreement. Once ratified, the contract will extend through 31 December 2025.”
