BookTok creators show their support for HarperCollins strike
New York, New York - As hundreds of HarperCollins employees continue to strike, BookTok creators are using their platforms to show their support for the labor movement.
Over 200 HarperCollins employees walked out last Thursday and began protesting outside the publishing giant's New York headquarters.
The employees, who are represented by Local 2110 United Auto Workers Union, are on indefinite strike until they are able to reach a new contract.
Despite the publishing house's record profits in 2021, many employees continue to make less than $50,000. The union is seeking better contracts that secure higher wages, improved benefits, and diversity initiatives.
The strike at HarperCollins illustrates rampant issues in the notoriously low-paying and overwhelmingly white publishing industry.
As increasingly influential players in the book industry, BookTok creators are using their platform to bolster support of the strike.
BookTok creators show their support for the HarperCollins strike
TikTok creator @jamieisreading, who is an Editorial Assistant at an imprint of HarperCollins, has shared several videos highlighting the motivations for the strike as well as videos documenting her experience on the picket line so far.
The BookTok community has largely rallied behind her and other employees. Many videos from Jamie have been stitched by other BookTok creators to spread the union's message and encourage readers to boycott HarperCollins until the strike is over.
BookTok creator @tomesandtextiles also used her platform to promote the cause. She encouraged her followers to donate to the strike fund and share the union's message on social media.
Several creators in the community also encouraged their fellow BookTokers to withhold reviews of HarperCollins books on their accounts until the strike ends.
Given the growing power of BookTok in the industry, their support for this movement is a major step in the right direction.
Cover photo: collage: screenshot/TikTok/@cookiecat.herine & SPENCER PLATT / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP