WASHINGTON — Over 700 Washington Post reporters, editors, copy editors, clerical workers and employees in the paper’s commercial and advertising departments staged a one-day strike Dec. 7. It was the largest labor protest at the company since a bitter strike in 1975-76.
After 18 months contract negotiations between the Washington Post Guild, the union at the paper, and the Jeff Bezos-led management have stalled. The key issues are jobs and wages. “Our salary floor does not pay a living wage in D.C.,” Post copy editor Colleen Neely told Fox News. “We deserve better, especially being owned by one of the richest men in the world.”
The bosses say they want to cut 240 jobs — 10% of the workforce. A voluntary buyout package is being offered, along with the threat of layoffs.
A group of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 members joined the noisy protest. “Show your solidarity, because it’s needed,” said Troy Barnes, an organizer for the union, which represents Metro subway and bus operators.
“When the workers unite, we are powerful,” said Antonio Pollard, a veteran of the 2019 Amalgamated Transit Union strike at the Cinder Bed Road in Lorton, Virginia.