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A statement from Pitchfork Union: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRLLqpWucHhU764quRtzhkmVlCEoUGW15n7Cvie3MR5XeAFn1vYqIeHg4CMhlfxWS7Dcv40-7uN9cdg/pub
Today, the @PitchforkUnion is engaging in a half-day work stoppage. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Eastern, union members will not publish or promote any new content on the website in protest of a blatant act of union-busting by @CondeNast and @Pitchfork management. 1/
On May 13 @CondeNast engaged in company-wide layoffs. The only person in our union targeted was our Unit Chair & only Senior Editor of color, @staceykanderson, illustrating the larger pattern of employees of color being targeted throughout the company. 2/
We categorically opposed her layoff. We immediately began looking into alternatives, like those implemented at @bfnewsunion @latimes. 3/
We presented a plan to @CondeNast @Pitchfork management ( @senari @amyhphillips) as a way to keep jobs intact while achieving their target savings for this year—within 3 months! We also made staff schedules to avoid any workflow disruption. We've yet to receive a response. 4/
This is the same management team that has stonewalled us at the bargaining table. We are negotiating hard for diversity & inclusion contract language that ensures 50% of those interviewed for jobs at Pitchfork come from underrepresented backgrounds. 5/
. @CondeNast and @Pitchfork counsel rejected our proposal because “for certain positions it’s hard to find qualified applicants from underrepresented backgrounds” and “not every job is created equal.” We condemn these racist statements. 6/
When it comes to diversity and inclusion, @CondeNast has been broken for a long time. This includes @Pitchfork. Stacey’s removal would be the second layoff of a Senior Editor of color in under 18 months. 7/
We need to change the culture of Pitchfork and hold management accountable for their decisions. We also need to acknowledge our own complicity in these systemic failures so we, as coworkers, can improve. 8/
We demand @CondeNast reverse their decision to target our Unit Chair and agree to our counter-proposal to achieve both parties’ goals and re-center our attention on other issues—like making sure P4k and other CN brands uproot all their pre-existing racist power structures. 9/
