New Yorker Employees Protest Netflix Documentary Premiere Due to Alleged 'Union Busting' by Condé Nast

On Thursday evening, numerous unionized staff members of The New Yorker staged a protest outside the premiere of Netflixs documentary "The New Yorker at 100", expressing outrage over recent controversial terminations by their parent company, Cond Nast.

The New Yorker Union issued a statement on X, saying, Tonight, at New York Citys Paris Theater, many of our union members distributed flyers to attendees at the premiere of 'The New Yorker at 100'. We will not be intimidated by union-busting and will continue advocating for the reinstatement of our colleagues. The magazines legacy and future depend on it.

Protesters handed out leaflets and stickers urging attendees to wear them during the screening. The materials criticized Cond Nast for union-busting like its 1925, referencing the magazines centennial celebrated in the documentary. The flyers also accused the company of retaliating against union staff who questioned layoffs, allegedly breaching both company contracts and federal labor law.

Directed by Marshall Curry, the documentary provides an inside look at the publication as it marks its 100th anniversary in 2025. Narrated by Julianne Moore, the film previously premiered at the Telluride Film Festival in August and will be released on Netflix this Friday.

Video obtained exclusively by TheWrap on November 6 captured a tense encounter between Cond Nast editorial staff and the head of HR, resulting in four employees being terminated for what the company described as extreme misconduct. Those dismissed included Jasper Lo, a senior fact checker at The New Yorker; Jake Lahut, senior politics reporter at WIRED; Alma Avalle, a digital staffer at Bon Apptit; and Ben Dewey, a video staffer at Cond Nast Entertainment.

Cond Nast also filed a federal complaint with the National Labor Relations Board against the unions parent organization, the NewsGuild of New York, citing contract violations. The company stated, Extreme misconduct is unacceptable in any professional setting. We are committed to maintaining a workplace free from harassment and disruption while addressing behavior that crosses professional boundaries.

However, the union contended that the video evidence did not demonstrate extreme or threatening conduct and argued that the company violated employees contract protections and federally protected union rights. As journalists, our members duty is to challenge authority and ask difficult questions, the union stated in November.

Susan DeCarava, president of the NewsGuild of New York, added that the footage speaks for itself, highlighting the unions position on the controversy. The protest at the documentary premiere was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

Author’s Analysis

The protest at the premiere of “The New Yorker at 100” highlights a growing conflict between unionized editorial staff and Condé Nast management. The demonstration was not only a symbolic action during a high-profile event but also a continuation of a dispute that began after the termination of four employees following an internal confrontation with the company’s HR leadership.

From the union’s perspective, the dismissals represent retaliation against workers who questioned layoffs and raised concerns about internal decisions. Union representatives argue that the available video evidence does not demonstrate the level of misconduct described by the company and claim that the terminations may violate contractual protections and federal labor law governing union activity.

Condé Nast, however, maintains that the dismissals were justified and linked to what it described as “extreme misconduct.” The company has also escalated the dispute by filing a federal complaint with the National Labor Relations Board against the NewsGuild of New York, alleging contract violations by the union’s parent organization.

The situation reflects broader tensions in the media industry as news organizations navigate restructuring, layoffs, and increasingly active newsroom unions. The public protest during a documentary celebrating the magazine’s centennial underscores how labor disputes can intersect with moments intended to highlight institutional legacy and achievements.

Sources:

• Dozens of New Yorker Staffers Protest Netflix Doc Red Carpet Over Condé Nast’s Alleged ‘Union Busting’

Author: Olivia Parker
Olivia Parker is a journalist and editor with over 8 years in media. She focuses on culture, arts, and social issues, skilled in feature writing and critical reviews.