Letter for Harper Collins Union

Dear Mr. Murray:

We, the undersigned members of the New York State Senate, urge you to come back to the table and negotiate in good faith with Local 2110 UAW members. We are aware that contract negotiations are at a standstill, leading to a strike that has now lasted 50 days.

The striking workers, who come from a broad array of departments and have steadfastly executed the arduous day in, day out work that enabled HarperCollins profit to increase 42 percent in the last fiscal year, have three simple demands: (1) increase the minimum salary from $45,000 to $50,000; (2) enhance diversity in the workforce; and (3) provide more security for unionized workers.

Love of literature should not come at the expense of a living wage. HarperCollins employees’ current contract does not reflect HarperCollins’s profits, the current cost of living, or salaries paid by peer media and publishing companies. To meaningfully resolve these longstanding issues, and cultivate underrepresented voices, we encourage you to promptly return to the bargaining table and negotiate in good faith with Local 2110 UAW members for a fair contract.

Sincerely,

Brad Hoylman New York State Senate District 27

Cordell Cleare New York State Senate District 30

Anna Kaplan New York State Senate District 7

Liz Krueger New York State Senate District 28

Julia Salazar New York State Senate District 18

Shelley Mayer New York State Senate District 37

Pete Harckham New York State Senate District 40

Michelle Hinchey New York State Senate District 46

Gustavo Rivera New York State Senate District 33

Jessica Ramos New York State Senate District 13

Andrew Gounardes New York State Senate District 22