Anne Hathaway took a stand in support of the Condé Nast Union’s work stoppage by walking out of a Vanity Fair photo shoot on Tuesday morning. Nearly 400 union members employed at Condé Nast initiated a 24-hour work stoppage to protest alleged unlawful negotiation practices.
Unplanned Walkout:
Upon arriving at the New York City photo shoot, Hathaway was unaware of the ongoing work stoppage. While still in hair and makeup, a SAG-AFTRA staffer notified her team about the walkout, prompting Hathaway to leave the shoot. According to a source, the photo session had not even commenced when she was made aware of the situation.
Condé Nast Union Protest:
The work stoppage unfolded concurrently with the announcement of the 2024 Oscar nominations on Tuesday morning. Union members from various Condé Nast publications, including Vanity Fair, Vogue, GQ, and others, rallied in front of the company’s New York offices. The protesters carried signs reading, “Layoffs are out of fashion” and chanted slogans in an apparent reference to Anna Wintour.
Pitchfork and GQ Merger Fallout:
Last week, Condé Nast merged Pitchfork with men’s magazine GQ, leading to layoffs at Pitchfork, including the departure of editor-in-chief Puja Patel. The union had shared its potential walkout plans, emphasizing solidarity against perceived union-busting and layoffs.
Condé Nast CEO’s Previous Announcement:
In November 2023, Condé Nast CEO Roger Lynch disclosed plans for laying off over 300 employees and implementing cost-reduction measures to enhance efficiency. The company’s restructuring decisions have been met with criticism, leading to heightened tensions with the union.
Conclusion: Anne Hathaway’s spontaneous walkout from the Vanity Fair photo shoot served as a visible expression of support for the Condé Nast Union’s grievances. The ongoing dispute between the union and Condé Nast reflects broader concerns within the media industry regarding negotiation practices, job security, and the impact of corporate decisions on employees.
Author of Social News Outlet, Tanvi Garg weaves compelling narratives that illuminate the human stories behind headlines.
