Home » US Employment News » Washington Post staff walk out over potential layoffs

Washington Post staff walk out over potential layoffs

By Nithya Bose in US Employment News, posted December 8, 2023

More than 750 journalists and staff at The Washington Post held a day-long strike against the company’s decision to cut jobs while contract talks were paused.

The move on Thursday, December 7, represents the biggest labor action at the newspaper in decades.

It followed the announcement by acting CEO Patty Stonesifer to slash 240 jobs, equating to 10 percent of the workforce, through voluntary buyouts.

Stonesifer said involuntary layoffs with less favorable terms would happen if additional buyouts were not accepted soon.

This strike amplifies concerns surrounding mismanagement.

"We care deeply about the work we do, the people, the communities, the stories we cover"

Post reporter Marissa Lang, who covers housing and serves on the union's bargaining team, said: "We did not come to this decision to do this walkout lightly.

"We all work at The Washington Post because we believe in its mission and we believe in what we do.

“And we care deeply about the work we do, the people, the communities, the stories we cover.

"I think this indicates how seriously we all are taking this, how deeply felt a lot of these concerns are in the Washington Post newsroom and in the company at large.”

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Journalists criticized former CEO Fred Ryan for allegedly making misguided decisions that led to financial losses.

The company has failed to replicate the success seen at The New York Times.

The Post faces backlash for prioritizing profits over the welfare of its workers and jeopardizing coverage of local news.

The privately-owned Post is under the ownership of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

The walkout is a manifestation of frustrations over compensation and working conditions and part of a broader trend of labor activism sweeping the media industry.

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Union members cite successful actions at various outlets, including The New York Times, Gannett, Business Insider, and others.

A Post spokesperson said: "We respect the rights of our Guild-covered colleagues to engage in this planned one-day strike.

“We will make sure our readers and customers are as unaffected as possible.

“The Post's goal remains the same as it has from the start of our negotiations: to reach an agreement with the Guild that meets the needs of our employees and the needs of our business."

Meanwhile, union members remain skeptical, rejecting what the company deems a "comprehensive contract offer."

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