700 Washington Post employees walk out over contract and layoff concerns

In an unprecedented move, approximately 700 employees of The Washington Post walked off the job for 24 hours on Thursday, 7 December, 2023. The protest aimed to draw attention to the stalled union contract negotiations and anticipated layoffs, marking the first strike at The Post since the 19070s, as reported by the union leaders.

The Post Guild, representing over 1,000 employees, including journalists and business-side personnel, revealed that the negotiations had spanned 18 months. However, the management, accused of failing to bargain in good faith, abruptly halted discussions on critical issues. The union’s action underscores growing dissatisfaction within the workforce.

The Post’s management, led by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, acknowledged the strike, expressing respect for the union members’ right to protest. A company spokeswoman assured readers and customers that efforts would be made to minimize disruptions, emphasizing the commitment to reaching an agreement that aligns with both employee and business needs.

The publication has faced challenges in the post-Trump era, witnessing a decline in online subscriptions from a peak of three million in 2020 to about 2.5 million in 2023. Financial difficulties loom, with projections indicating a potential $100 million loss in 2023.

Despite its renowned Pulitzer Prize-winning journalism, The Post has experienced a significant departure of top-tier journalists and business executives in recent years. Interim CEO Patty Stonesifer, who succeeded Fred Ryan, announced plans to cut 240 jobs, initially through voluntary buyouts. However, the possibility of layoffs emerged as a means to achieve this reduction.

The appointment of Will Lewis, former publisher of The Wall Street Journal, as the incoming CEO and publisher is slated for 2 January 2023. The new leadership faces the challenging task of navigating The Post through turbulent times.

Sarah Kaplan, a climate reporter and chief steward of the Post Guild, shed light on a key point of contention—the issue of wages. The Post’s proposed 2.25% increase was criticized as tantamount to a pay cut when factoring in inflation. Kaplan highlighted concerns about institutional weakening due to mismanagement, referencing buyouts and an insufficient contract proposal.

Kaplan emphasized the collective desire of employees to influence The Washington Post’s future positively. The union, urging readers to refrain from engaging with any Post content in print or online during the strike, emphasized the gravity of their historic decision, signaling a profound concern for the newspaper’s trajectory.