WGAE Members at Hearst Magazines Begin Negotiations for Second Union Contract
New York, NY (December 8, 2025)—Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) members at Hearst Magazines today began negotiations with management on a second collective bargaining agreement.
The Hearst Magazines Union will be negotiating for fairer pay, protections against Artificial Intelligence, codification of a hybrid work schedule, enhanced protections in the event of layoffs or termination, retirement and healthcare protections, among other critical items. The 415-member bargaining unit is working to secure a new union contract that ensures members have both the protections and the compensation to build stable careers.
The Hearst Magazines Union committee said, “Our union has weathered significant changes in recent years, and it’s time to ensure our members have the stability and security they deserve. These negotiations are an opportunity to codify those protections—from fair pay to AI safeguards to a hybrid schedule that supports work–life balance. We’re ready to move forward and work together with Hearst management on a contract that strengthens our team and supports the work we do best.”
Tom Fontana, President of the Writers Guild of America East, said, “WGAE members at Hearst Magazines work tirelessly to build some of the most recognizable media outlets. Hearst boasts their world-class brands, now it’s time they value their world-class employees. The WGAE is watching in solidarity as Hearst Magazines workers fight to win a contract that restores work-life balance and wins important workplace gains.”
Negotiations begin shortly after Hearst Magazines management conducted multiple rounds of layoffs across various brands including Cosmopolitan, Elle Decor, Oprah Daily and House Beautiful.
The full list of Hearst Magazine publications include Autoweek, Best Products, Bicycling, Car and Driver, Cosmopolitan, Country Living, Delish, ELLE, ELLE Decor, Esquire, Food Network Magazine, Good Housekeeping, Harper’s Bazaar, HGTV Magazine, HOT ROD, House Beautiful, Men’s Health, MotorTrend, Oprah Daily, The Pioneer Woman, Popular Mechanics, Prevention, Road & Track, Runner’s World, Seventeen, Town & Country, Veranda, Woman’s Day, and Women’s Health.
In addition to Hearst Magazines, the WGA East’s Online Media Sector includes the Bustle Digital Group, Civic News Group, CNET, Committee to Protect Journalists, Fast Company, Future PLC, Gizmodo Media Group, HuffPost, Inc., Jewish Currents, NowThis, Onion Inc., Refinery29, Salon, Slate, Talking Points Media, The Dodo, The Intercept, Thrillist, Vox Media and VICE.
ABOUT THE WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA EAST
The Writers Guild of America East, AFL-CIO, is a labor union of more than 7,500 members working in film, television, news, podcasts and online media. The Guild negotiates and administers contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of its members; conducts programs, seminars and events on issues of interest to writers; and presents writers’ views to various bodies of government. For more information on the Writers Guild of America East, visit wgaeast.org.
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