Protesters at Condé Nast are making their voices heard, as videos on the union’s Twitter account capture them holding signs with messages like “Layoffs are out of fashion.” Adding a creative twist, they chant, “Say it loud, say it clear, winter’s extra cold this year,” in an apparent play on Anna Wintour’s name.
The unrest follows Condé Nast’s recent move to merge Pitchfork with GQ, leading to layoffs at the digital music publication, including the departure of editor-in-chief Puja Patel.
Anna Wintour, Vogue’s chief content officer and global editorial director, provided insight into the changes in a memo to company staff. She explained, “Today we are evolving our Pitchfork team structure by bringing the team into the GQ organization. This decision was made after a careful evaluation of Pitchfork’s performance and what we believe is the best path forward for the brand so that our coverage of music can continue to thrive within the company.”
In response, the Condé Nast Union shared potential plans for a walkout on Twitter, with nearly 400 members pledging to stop work for a 24-hour period when the bargaining committee issues the call. The union’s message to Condé Nast is clear: stop breaking the law, end union busting, and put a halt to the layoffs.
Condé Nast CEO Roger Lynch had previously announced in November 2023 that the company would be laying off over 300 employees and implementing other cost-reduction measures to enhance efficiency. The ongoing protests highlight the increasing dissatisfaction within the company’s workforce.
