Writers Guild of America East (WGAE)-represented Members employed at Hearst Magazines held a half-day walkout last week after management failed to reach a deal on a second contract with the 400-Member Bargaining Unit. Their first contract expired on Saturday, January 31st (2026). The Hearst Magazines Union held actions at Hearst Tower in Manhattan and at Hearst Offices in: Los Angeles, California; Easton, Pennsylvania; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Birmingham, Alabama. Union Members were joined at the Hearst Tower walkout by New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and New York City AFL-CIO Central Labor Council President Brendan Griffith. The collective action came after a month of negotiations where management proposed lower raises than Members received in their last contract, increased in-office expectations without any guarantees of flexibility and offered absolutely no protections against Artificial Intelligence (AI). The Hearst Magazines Union Bargaining Committee and Contract Action Team said: “The Members of the Hearst Magazines Union (walked) off the job because our contract has expired and management is still refusing to address all of our concerns/demands. We believe a fair deal for all Union Members is not just possible, but imperative.” The Guild also announced 85% of the Hearst Magazines Union Bargaining Unit have signed a Strike pledge. In addition, more than 2,200 Union Members and supporters of the Hearst Magazines Union had written letters to management urging them to agree to a fair and just contract for WGAE Members at Hearst before the January 31st contract expiration date.

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Photo Courtesy Of The New York City AFL-CIO Central Labor Council.