The HarperCollins Union has ratified a new contract, including the highest starting pay in publishing.

After months of bargaining and a long strike in 2022-2023, the HarperCollins Union’s membership voted “overwhelmingly” to ratify a new contract. New pay increases will bring the “lowest annual compensation” for junior employees up to $57,000 for a 38-hour week, which will be the highest starting salary in the industry, according to the union’s press release.

“The material benefits and community support that come from being in a union in this industry cannot be overstated,” said Sophia Kaufman, an Associate Editor at Harper and a union steward and bargaining committee member, “Our union makes our jobs more sustainable.”

This new contract is the first negotiated since the union went on an over three month long strike in 2022-2023. The new three-year agreement includes the aforementioned increase to base salary, as well as ratification bonuses based on seniority, overtime pay, and new benefits standards, including improved severance, parental leave, promotions, and an enhanced equal rights clause to protect from discrimination.

HarperCollins employees have had a union for over 80 years, and are currently the only major publisher in the US with a union. HarperCollins Union are members of Technical, Office and Professional Union UAW Local 2110, which also represents museum, university, and nonprofit workers, among others.

Congratulations to the union on their successful negotiation. To quote Kaufman again, “I hope publishing workers at other houses, agencies, and organizations are encouraged to organize their own workplaces to protect themselves and their jobs.”