Condé Nast and the union representing hundreds of its workers have reached a tentative deal on key issues, successfully avoiding a potential strike that could have disrupted the Met Gala.
Negotiations between Condé Nast and the Condé Union, representing approximately 550 staffers across various brands including Vogue, Vanity Fair, GQ, and others, went down to the wire on Sunday night. The two parties announced the provisional agreement on Monday, signaling a significant breakthrough. This deal, once ratified by the union’s membership, will mark the first labor contract for this group of workers. (It’s worth noting that writers at The New Yorker and Wired are represented by different unions.)
While specific details of the agreement were not immediately disclosed, it is understood that remaining issues such as minimum salaries, health care coverage for transgender staffers, and layoff protections were addressed during the negotiations.
In a memo sent to employees on Monday morning, Condé Nast expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “We are happy to have a contract that reflects and supports our core values — our content and journalism; our commitment to diversity and professional development; our industry-leading hiring practices and our competitive wages and benefits.”
Mark Alan Burger, Vanity Fair’s social media manager and a member of the Condé Union bargaining team, expressed relief and satisfaction with the resolution. Burger highlighted the union’s dedication to securing a fair contract, emphasizing their willingness to take action, including the possibility of a strike ahead of the Met Gala. He stated, “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.”
The successful resolution of these negotiations not only ensures stability and fairness for Condé Nast employees but also allows the prestigious Met Gala event to proceed without disruption. As both parties move forward, the tentative agreement represents a significant step towards fostering a positive and collaborative working relationship.
