Unions at both Forbes and the New York Daily News have planned walkouts to protest tactics from management amid recent mass layoffs at other large publications.
At Forbes, a walkout we be a first in the 106-year history of the outlet, according to Axios’ Sara Fischer. “We are taking this unprecedented step to show that we will not allow such disrespectful behavior towards our negotiations to continue,” a statement from the union read. The Forbes Union, which joined forces with the NewsGuild of New York in 2021, has been angling for a contract with management for two years.
The plan is currently for Forbes employees to walk off the job until Monday at 11:59 PM ET.
“We are disappointed by the Union’s decision to stage a walkout, but respect their right to take this action,” a statement from the publication read.
At the New York Daily News, employees are walking out for the first time since 1991 in protest of cuts expected from parent company Alden Global Capital.
“Alden wants to act as if we are not being chiseled,” said NewsGuild of New York union steward Michael Gartland. “We’re not going to engage in that intellectual dishonesty. In reality, we’re being crushed for cash. As a result, staff is diminished, which means our ability to cover the city is diminished. We believe this is bad for New York.”
According to the news union, the Daily News once boasted 4,000 employees, but has since withered away to just 54 employees represented by the NewsGuild.
