To our dedicated readers,
Around the world, The Washington Post has earned a reputation for being a news organization that holds the powerful to account. Every day, we work to uncover truths big and small, to tell stories that connect you more deeply to your communities and shine a light into the world's darkest corners. We are profoundly committed to The Washington Post, to its longevity and success, and see our mission to report the news honestly and unflinchingly as essential to both.
Now, we are applying those core principles to our workplace. For 18 months, members of our union, the Post Guild, have sought to negotiate a fairer contract for us all. But management has refused to bargain in good faith and repeatedly — and illegally — shut down negotiations over key issues, such as pay equity, raises that keep pace with inflation and our competitors, remote work policies, mental health supports, and a buyout package that seeks to reduce our workforce by 10 percent.
That's why, on Dec. 7, Washington Post workers are going on strike for 24 hours. Taking this historic action is not a decision we came to lightly. We take seriously the impact it will have on the people, issues and communities we cover.
Since our last contract, Post journalists have covered two wars, an insurrection, a pandemic, gun violence in America, climate disasters, two presidential campaigns and more. We brought you perspectives that opened minds, advice that made hard decisions easier and stories that delighted even on difficult days. We kept printing during a global health crisis and made sure the news reached you, wherever you were. Our work has won international acclaim and coveted awards and made The Post lucrative again. Then our former publisher's bad business decisions squandered our profits. Instead of executives bearing the weight of this mismanagement, The Post repeatedly made workers pay the price. In the last year, the company has laid off nearly 40 people. If buyouts don't net another 240 cuts, Post leaders warned more layoffs will come.
Our contract fight means ensuring all Post workers — from news reporters to ad sales reps to print production staff — have strong job protections. It means guaranteeing no employee earns less than a living wage. It means providing retirement benefits commensurate with decades of devoted service. The Post cannot stay competitive, retain the best talent or produce the kind of elite journalism you rely on without giving its staff a fair deal.
On Dec. 7, we ask you to respect our walkout by not crossing the picket line: For 24 hours, please do not engage with any Washington Post content. That includes our print and online news stories, podcasts, videos, games and recipes. Instead, share information about our strike and send a letter to Post leaders in support of the people who make this institution run.
Thank you for your ongoing support of The Post and the people who make it, and for showing Post management that readers like you know what Washington Post employees are worth.
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