The Washington Post is set for a 24-hour walk-off on Thursday after failed attempts to secure a fresh deal over working conditions, including pay and remote work. This was announced by the union representing these workers who criticized the newspaper’s management for refusing to negotiate “in good faith.” According to the Washington Post Guild, which consists of about 1,000 staff members from both the newsroom and commercial departments, the decision to stage the strike was not taken lightly.
The newspaper, owned by Amazon’s founder Jeff Bezos, had hinted at possible layoffs, following a period of unsuccessful negotiations that have spanned 18 months. The union stated that the management had “repeatedly and unlawfully shut down discussions on key issues.” They also emphasised the importance of fair treatment for the staff in order to maintain top-tier journalism.
This demonstration follows a series of recent strikes across various industries in the United States. Other media outlets faced similar actions earlier this year, with workers from Gannett, the country’s largest newspaper publisher, and New York Times staging walk-outs. Last month, Associated Press staff also initiated a “short break” over a lack of contract, rejecting a proposed 2 percent raise from management.
