Reinstate the Fired Four! NewsGuild-CWA and CWA District 1 Rally to Demand a Return to Work for Unjustly Terminated Workers

The NewsGuild of New York-CWA held a huge rally outside of 1 World Trade Center last week alongside CWA District 1, the Writers Guild of America East, the NYC Central Labor Council, and a number of legislative leaders to demand the immediate reinstatement of Alma Avalle, Jake Lahut, Jasper Lo, and Ben Dewey, NewsGuild-CWA members who were illegally fired by media conglomerate Conde Nast on November 5th.

​​The background:

• Condé Nast, which oversees a number of media brands, abruptly announced the consolidation of several publications along with staff layoffs.
• NewsGuild-CWA members made repeated attempts to meet with the head of HR and other executives to talk through concerns about multiple rounds of layoffs and a seeming shift away from critical coverage at several prominent Condé brands. Executives ignored those requests.
• On November 5th, a group of nearly 20 members approached the head of HR to seek answers. Condé Nast management responded by firing four prominent leaders, and then, on November 7th, additionally suspended without pay five more employees who were present.

The company is attempting to silence its workers in any way possible and flex its muscles at a time when the National Labor Relations Board — the federal body whose role is to hold employers accountable — is weakened and without the quorum it needs to make decisions.“Management must reinstate the Fired Four and our suspended five without further delay,” said Susan DeCarava, president of The NewsGuild of New York. “Condé Nast management’s actions are an egregious attempt at union-busting and violate not only labor law but the terms of our contracts."

“This isn’t just an egregious example of union busting,” said Billy Gallagher, CWA District 1 Assistant to the Vice President. “It’s an attack on journalism and free speech. And we’re not going to stand for it! You are the workers who make this city run. Your voices, your reporting are essential. Your work matters. Your rights matter. And more importantly, YOU matter!”

The rally drew several prominent NYC legislators who spoke out in support, including City Councilmember Chi Ossé, State Assemblymembers Jabari Brisport and Claire Valdez, State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

“The power lies in the hands of the people,” said AG James. “Power comes from the ground up, and not the top down. We stand together, shoulder-to-shoulder, arm-in-arm, with no space between us, standing up for what is right. And what is right is these individuals, who simply asked the question of their employer, ‘What is going on?’ Union-busting in this state will not be tolerated.”