Tessera

Condé Union @condeunion.bsky.social · 2mo ago

VINDICATED: Condé Nast is paying the price for its illegal attempts at busting our union. Our members won a settlement that vindicates those who “marched on the boss” in November 2025. More here… nyguild.org/post/conde-w...

NEW YORK — Unionized Condé Nast workers who were illegally fired and disciplined after taking part in a “march on the boss” in November 2025 have been vindicated as part of a substantial agreement won by The NewsGuild of New York on Wednesday.

“Our fight as a union is about more than a single contract; it is about ensuring workers’ rights to a just workplace,” said Susan DeCarava, president of The NewsGuild of New York. “When employers attempt to undermine our rights, we will organize, fight back, and hold them accountable. This settlement sends a forceful message: workers united in solidarity have the power to push back against bully union-busting bosses and demand their workplaces be governed by respect rather than fear.”

Condé Nast management illegally terminated four Condé Union leaders and suspended five others for coming together to demand answers from executives at 1 World Trade Center about abrupt layoffs at multiple brands including WIRED and the consolidation at Teen Vogue.

By abruptly, and unlawfully, firing and suspending nine employees, management violated members’ contractual Just Cause protections, as well as federal labor law to engage in protected concerted activity as workers.

The NewsGuild of New York immediately filed grievances related to the firings and suspensions, as well as Unfair Labor Practice charges at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Guild members at Condé Nast were also supported by NewsGuild parent union the Communications Workers of America, through a member relief fund program that provides aid to workers targeted by union busting.

Under the terms of the settlement, three of the illegally fired workers — Alma Avalle, Ben Dewey and Jasper Lo — were:

Reinstated as employees in good standing

Awarded significant financial settlements totaling more than $400K
Provided letters of recommendation, with all disciplinary records expunged

The three reinstated workers subsequently chose to resign on their own terms. Jake Lahut, a fourth unlawfully fired employee, declined a lesser settlement offer from the Company. At the time of the dismissal, he was a probationary employee and not yet covered under the contract’s Just Cause provisions. He is, however, protected by federal labor law as a union member and the NewsGuild of New York has an active unfair labor practice charge on his behalf at the National Labor Relations Board.

“We fought because we had to, because so much of an equitable future as workers and journalists depends on our combined efforts to resist inhumane treatment,” said Jasper Lo, formerly a senior fact checker at The New Yorker. “There is no reason for us to feel disempowered by companies and work in the fear that they create. Not only can we stand up for what’s right, but we can also set the tone for what is acceptable in a workplace.”

The five illegally suspended workers were:
Awarded back pay for every day they were illegally suspended without pay
Cleared of all wrongdoing with their disciplinary records expunged

“The unpaid suspensions added another layer of egregious, illegal retaliation to this situation—and it was particularly insulting that Conde Nast never specifically articulated to any of us what they alleged that we did wrong or why we were singled out”, said Lily Newman, Senior Writer at Wired. “It is heartening that this settlement removes the discipline from my and my colleagues’ records and furnishes backpay.”

Jake Lahut @jakelahut.bsky.social · 9mo ago

“I’ll see you in court,” New York Attorney General Tish James says to Condé Nast at a rally over, well, my own firing. Reinstate the Fired Four ✊

Condé Union @condeunion.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Ben Dewey with a shout out to @kimkelly.bsky.social for teaching him about unions via this @teenvogue.com explainer.

Unions Aren't As Complicated As You Might Think

Here's how they work.

teenvogue.com

Condé Union @condeunion.bsky.social · 9mo ago

“Condé Nast I’ll see you in court” - NY AG Leticia James 🫡

Condé Union @condeunion.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Reinstatement now!

Condé Union @condeunion.bsky.social · 9mo ago

That’s a no on union busting at Condé Nast from @newyorkstateag.bsky.social

New York attorney letitia James says no to union busting at Condé Nast

Join our rally for the reinstatement of our wrongfully fired colleagues!

6 pm at 1 wtc (corner of west st and vesey st)

Condé Union @condeunion.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Today at 6! ✊✊✊✊ Will you be there?

The NewsGuild of New York@nyguild.bsky.social · 9mo ago

JOIN US WEDNESDAY: Come out and support those illegally fired and suspended by Conde Nast at a rally on Wednesday at 6PM EST outside the World Trade Center.....

Condé Union @condeunion.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Union busting isn't on the menu at today's potluck and rally for the Fired Four ✊ Stand with us by signing our petition: actionnetwork.org/petitions/te...

people enjoying food at the conde nast union rally

Condé Union @condeunion.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Are you standing with us? Sign our petition. ⬇️

Condé Union@condeunion.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Stand with Condé Nast Union 🚨 We’re calling on you to sign our petition telling management to reinstate the Fired Four, reverse the suspensions, and end the union busting. Sign here: actionnetwork.org/petitions/te...

Stand with Condé Nast Union. Sign our petition.

The NewsGuild of New York @nyguild.bsky.social · 9mo ago

You can also support the workers who were illegally fired by Conde Nast by contributing to this Go Fund Me www.gofundme.com/f/support-th...

Donate to Support the Fired Four: Alma, Ben, Jake, Jasper, organized by Louryn Strampe

On November 5, 2025, Conde Nast management illegally fired four union l… Louryn Strampe needs your support for Support the Fired Four: Alma, Ben, Jake, Jasper

gofundme.com

The New Yorker Union @newyorkerunion.bsky.social · 9mo ago

On Wednesday, Conde Nast management illegally fired four union leaders. While our union fights these illegal dismissals, the “Fired Four” have been left with no severance or COBRA coverage. Please donate to help cover their living expenses at the link below.

Donate to Support the Fired Four: Alma, Ben, Jake, Jasper, organized by Louryn Strampe

On November 5, 2025, Conde Nast management illegally fired four union l… Louryn Strampe needs your support for Support the Fired Four: Alma, Ben, Jake, Jasper

gofundme.com

The NewsGuild of New York @nyguild.bsky.social · 9mo ago

And you can sign the petition demanding that Conde Nast reverse the firings and suspensions and stop union busting NOW! actionnetwork.org/petitions/te...

Tell Condé bosses to reinstate the Fired Four, reverse the suspensions and end the union-busting

On Nov. 5, 2025 in an egregious attempt at union-busting, Condé Nast management illegally terminated four union members – Alma Avalle, Jake Lahut, Jasper Lo and Ben Dewey – for participating in federa...

actionnetwork.org

Condé Union @condeunion.bsky.social · 9mo ago

🗣️ See you Wednesday 🚨

The NewsGuild of New York@nyguild.bsky.social · 9mo ago

JOIN US WEDNESDAY: Come out and support those illegally fired and suspended by Conde Nast at a rally on Wednesday at 6PM EST outside the World Trade Center.....

The NewsGuild of New York @nyguild.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Nearly a 1,000 people have signed the @condeunion.bsky.social and @newyorkerunion.bsky.social petition to reinstate the Fired Four and reverse the suspensions. JOIN US in standing up for workers' rights and tell Conde Nast that union-busting is DISGUSTING actionnetwork.org/petitions/te...

Tell Condé bosses to reinstate the Fired Four, reverse the suspensions and end the union-busting

On Nov. 5, 2025 in an egregious attempt at union-busting, Condé Nast management illegally terminated four union members – Alma Avalle, Jake Lahut, Jasper Lo and Ben Dewey – for participating in federa...

actionnetwork.org

Law360 Union @law360union.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Please sign this petition in support of our siblings at @condeunion.bsky.social who were fired in the most cowardly way we've ever seen. We are only getting started fighting back.

Condé Union@condeunion.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Stand with Condé Nast Union 🚨 We’re calling on you to sign our petition telling management to reinstate the Fired Four, reverse the suspensions, and end the union busting. Sign here: actionnetwork.org/petitions/te...

Freelance Solidarity Project @fspnwu.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Sign the petition to reinstate the Fired Four!

Condé Union@condeunion.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Stand with Condé Nast Union 🚨 We’re calling on you to sign our petition telling management to reinstate the Fired Four, reverse the suspensions, and end the union busting. Sign here: actionnetwork.org/petitions/te...

Condé Union @condeunion.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Stand with Condé Nast Union 🚨 We’re calling on you to sign our petition telling management to reinstate the Fired Four, reverse the suspensions, and end the union busting. Sign here: actionnetwork.org/petitions/te...

Condé Union @condeunion.bsky.social · 9mo ago

We sent a message to management today with a Slack icon change. More than half of our union participated and are demanding management reinstate the four people who were unjustly fired. Ready to show your own support? Reach out to Condé Nast management telling them to reinstate the fired four.

Four fists with text that says reinstate the fired four

Condé Union @condeunion.bsky.social · 9mo ago

✊

The NewsGuild of New York@nyguild.bsky.social · 9mo ago

How do you like our new profile pic, @condeunion.bsky.social ?

Jake Lahut @jakelahut.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Hey everyone, thank you so much for the outpouring of support. I need to pay rent, and I launched a GoFundMe spot.fund/LahutRentFund

Click here to support Jake Lahut's story *LahutRentFund

*spotfund is the easiest place to create beautiful and free online fundraisers. It takes just minutes to start raising money today.

spot.fund

The NewsGuild of New York @nyguild.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Our union has zero tolerance for bully bosses who harass, target and disrespect our members. Read our joint statement with @condeunion.bsky.social .... nyguild.org/post/stateme...

Condé Union @condeunion.bsky.social · 9mo ago

A statement from Wired's Conde Union Members

WIRED is doing some of the most impactful political reporting of this administration. That’s made possible by our subscribers, who signal to our employer, Conde Nast, that this work is worth protecting. Conde has never told us what to report and has stood behind our work, but it is also true that how a company treats its workers is political. The Conde Union has been working tirelessly to bring that same spirit of accountability to all of Conde Nast and must continue to do so. —WIRED’s Conde Union Members

Jake Lahut @jakelahut.bsky.social · 9mo ago

I was one of the four people who got canned. In the interim, you can subscribe to my newsletter, Straight From The Hut. No paywall, but feel free to choose the pay to support model. I'm not going anywhere — the show goes on, and I'll be back on MSNBC Saturday night. straightfromthehut.substack.com

StraightFromThe Hut | Jake Lahut | Substack

A campaign and communications strategy newsletter, plus a home for Jake Lahut's freelance feature reporting and other notebook items (no paywalls, but pay to support). Click to read StraightFromThe Hu...

straightfromthehut.substack.com

max tani @maxtani.bsky.social · 9mo ago

New: Conde Nast fired four employees who were among a group that confronted the company's head of human resources on Wednesday over the decision to fold Teen Vogue into Vogue/recent cuts. Employees who were fired included journalists from the New Yorker, Wired, and Bon Appétit.

Alma Avalle @goodbyealma.bsky.social · 9mo ago

I'm one of the four fired employees. I was a writer & producer at Bon Appétit for nearly five years, during which I helped organize our union and sat on our bargaining committee. I am, to my knowledge, the only trans woman in our union and the only trans woman on editorial who doesn't work at Them

max tani @maxtani.bsky.social · 9mo ago

New: Conde Nast fired four employees who were among a group that confronted the company's head of human resources on Wednesday over the decision to fold Teen Vogue into Vogue/recent cuts. Employees who were fired included journalists from the New Yorker, Wired, and Bon Appétit.

Condé Union @condeunion.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Breaking News: Late last night Conde Nast illegally fired 4 union organizers who asked company execs to explain the downsizing of Teen Vogue and continued layoffs. We’ve filed a grievance.

Statement from The NewsGuild of New York and Condé United
on illegal firing of four union leaders who demanded answers about this week’s layoffs at Teen Vogue, other brands
Late Wednesday night, Condé Nast’s VP of Labor Relations notified the Guild that the Company was immediately terminating four Condé United leaders for engaging in the protected concerted activity of gathering in their 1 World Trade Center office to demand answers on this week’s abrupt layoffs at multiple brands including WIRED and the consolidation at Teen Vogue.
These egregious terminations are a flagrant breach of the Just Cause terms of our contract and an unprecedented violation of their federally protected rights as union members to participate in a collective action.
Through these illegal terminations, Condé Nast management is attempting to intimidate and silence our members' advocacy for the courageous cultural and political journalism of Teen Vogue, as well as diverting attention away from the obvious lack of corporate leadership at the company.
Condé United members illegally fired are:
Alma Avalle: Writer, digital producer at Bon Appetit; NewsGuild of New York first vice president, trans activist, and union leader
Jake Lahut: Wired senior reporter covering the Trump White House
Jasper Lo: Senior fact checker at The New Yorker and US Army veteran: outgoing first vice chair of The New Yorker Union
Ben Dewey: Videographer at Condé Nast Entertainment, former vice chair of the CNE unit
“Management’s attempt at union-busting, using intimidation and grossly illegal tactics to try to suppress protected union activity, will not stand,” said Susan DeCarava, president of The NewsGuild of New York. “The NewsGuild of New York has zero tolerance for bad bosses who harass, target and disrespect our fellow Guild members. We represent nearly 6,000 media workers across the tri-state area and we stand firmly in solidarity, ready to fight for the rights of our members illegally fired from their jobs at …

Condé Union @condeunion.bsky.social · 9mo ago

We strongly condemn @CondéNast’s consolidation plans for Teen Vogue, a move that is clearly designed to blunt the award-winning magazine’s insightful journalism at a time when it is needed the most. More from our statement:

Condé Union @condeunion.bsky.social · 12mo ago

UNACCEPTABLE: Our members are flooding Slack, demanding answers after we were notified by Condé Nast management that they AGAIN want to lay off union members.

Condé Union @condeunion.bsky.social · 12mo ago

More than 130 of Stan, Roger, and Anna's employees showed up yesterday hoping to meet with their executives. The execs never RSVPed no, instead they stood us up. But we spent the time productively without them, and they will be hearing about the results of the meeting soon.

Empty chairs inside of a conference room

Condé Union @condeunion.bsky.social · 12mo ago

Our lunch town hall is tomorrow! We invited Condé CEO Roger Lynch and Stan Duncan to come and answer our questions.

Condé Union @condeunion.bsky.social · last yr.

🧵CONDE NAST SQUID GAMES: Today Conde Nast held a company-wide meeting. Nearly a week in advance, our members submitted a list of questions about the future of the company, RTO policies, and enforcement and staffing; we received no answers.