John Maher writes for Publishers Weekly:
At 9:00 a.m. on a day expected to reach a heat index of 99˚F, roughly 100 HarperCollins union workers and others were already on the picket line for the first time in decades in front of the publisher’s headquarters in Manhattan’s Financial District. The union is seeking higher pay, improved family leave benefits, a greater commitment to diversifying staff, and stronger union protection.
“It’s really devastating that the workers’ contribution to the financial success of the institution is not acknowledged in their salaries,” said Olga Brudastova, president-elect of Local 2110 United Auto Workers, which represents HC union workers. “We’ve been arguing since December. We know that HarperCollins reported record-breaking profits in the past three years. We’re asking for a decent wage that allows people to exist in a city like New York.”