Striking Out

Although it may be resolved by the time this post gets published, apparently 250-ish workers at Haper Collins are on strike.  They are striking for "higher wages, stronger commitments to diversifying staff and better family leave."

So my take is likely to be unpopular with a number of other writers and much of the traditional publishing world - what else is new? - but my first question is, has anyone really noticed?  Has this strike affected the publication of eagerly anticipated novels or made it into anyone's conscience outside of those intimately involved in the publishing industry?  Honestly, I'd never heard of this strike, a strike that began over two months ago, until I ran across it on The Passive Voice.  Still, I've seen no shortage of books at my local bookstore, and no one I know has complained about not being able to get hold of something they wanted to read.

Part of this may come from the fact that three of the four major publishers are not unionized.  Some writers are sending letters of support to the striking workers, but if they really wanted to help, they could send cash.  Or they could refuse to publish books, and that means at all publishing houses to show solidarity,  Maybe some are, but it sure seems like folks like supporting with words but not actions.  Amazing how solidarity ends when it hits one's own finances.

One of the funniest reasons for the strike is the claim that the workforce isn't diversified enough.  First off, unless the publishing house is going to somehow open up a multitude of new positions, it sounds like many of these striking workers are lobbying for their own jobs to be replaced by someone of a more diverse background.  How else does one get more diversity in the company?  Or do they just want others to be replaced with a more diverse workforce while they get to keep their jobs?  Second, the publishing industry is one of the most woke industries out there, so the finger wagging over diversity is hysterical to me.  It's like church members yelling at the pastor and deacons that they aren't religious enough.

The salaries in question are decent salaries...unless one lives in New York.  However, that seems to be a sticking point here.  With the infusion of remote work possibilities, living in one of the world's most expensive cities doesn't seem particularly wise to me.  If the pay is that important, maybe move somewhere it's easier to stretch a buck.