Condé Nast Employees Consider Walking Off Job Before Met Gala

Less than a day before the highly anticipated Met Gala, a potential showdown looms as employees of Vogue and other Condé Nast publications threaten to walk off the job over contract negotiations. The union representing these employees has been engaged in a vocal campaign leading up to the event, warning management to come to the bargaining table or face protests at the prestigious event.

The Condé Nast Union, which represents employees from titles including Vanity Fair, GQ, and Architectural Digest, has been in negotiations for over a year to create their first contract. The union is pushing for just cause as the basis for firing employees and hoping to avoid proposed layoffs that could affect nearly 100 employees.

The threat of a protest at the Met Gala, known as “fashion’s biggest night out,” comes after a one-day work stoppage in January and increased pressure from union members. The union has participated in rallies and distributed fliers in an effort to bring attention to their cause.

Mark Alan Burger, a unit chair for the Condé Nast Union, expressed the electric energy among members and the hope for a resolution before the Met Gala. While no contract resolution had been reached as of Sunday evening, negotiations were ongoing.

Representatives for Condé Nast and the union have been engaged in marathon bargaining sessions, with both sides hopeful for a tentative agreement. The union is prepared to take whatever action is necessary on Monday if an agreement is not reached.

The employees at Condé Nast are passionate about their work and the culture they help shape, but they believe they are not receiving the dignity and respect they deserve. The union sees the contract negotiations as a way to ensure fair compensation for employees who work extra hours for events like the Met Gala.

As the deadline approaches, the tension between the union and management at Condé Nast continues to escalate, with the possibility of protests at the Met Gala looming large. The outcome of the negotiations will not only impact the employees of Vogue and other Condé Nast publications but could also disrupt one of the most glamorous events of the year.