Movie star Anne Hathaway left a Vanity Fair photo shoot in New York on Tuesday to demonstrate support for striking employees at Condé Nast, the magazine's publisher.
Despite being fully prepared with makeup and hairstyling, Hathaway had not commenced the photoshoot when she was informed that media workers were engaged in a 24-hour work stoppage as part of their protest against alleged unlawful negotiation practices. This revelation, first reported by Variety magazine, prompted the actress to abandon the shoot.
Anne Hathaway Joins Condé Nast Union Protest
Nearly 400 members of the union at Condé Nast are currently participating in the 24-hour work stoppage to voice their opposition to negotiation practices they believe to be unlawful.
Hathaway, initially unaware of the ongoing work stoppage upon her arrival in New York, was still in the midst of her hair and makeup routine when her team was notified by a representative from SAG-AFTRA to advise her to support the workers' cause.
According to a source cited by Variety, Hathaway made the decision to leave as soon as she became aware of the situation, stating, "They hadn't even started taking photos yet. Once Anne was made aware of what was going on, she just got up from hair and makeup and left."
The timing of the work stoppage coincided with the announcement of the 2024 Oscar nominations on Tuesday morning. Employees from various Condé Nast publications, including Vanity Fair, Vogue, GQ, and others, walked out to hold a rally in front of the company's offices in New York.
Videos shared on the union's social media platform showed protesters holding signs with slogans like "Layoffs are out of fashion" and chanting phrases, including a play on Anna Wintour's name.
The recent merger of Pitchfork with GQ, leading to layoffs at Pitchfork, including the exit of editor-in-chief Puja Patel, added fuel to the fire. In a memo to company staff, Anna Wintour, Condé Nast's chief content officer and global editorial director of Vogue, explained the decision, emphasizing the careful evaluation of Pitchfork's performance and the company's commitment to ensuring the brand's continued success, according to Chicago Tribune.
Condé Nast Union Threat
Last week, the Condé Nast Union hinted at potential walkout plans, emphasizing their commitment to stopping work in protest against what they perceive as union busting, illegal practices, and layoffs by Condé Nast. CEO Roger Lynch had announced layoffs of over 300 employees in November 2023, as part of cost-reduction measures.
Hathaway, aged 41, reportedly had no knowledge of the walkout by nearly 400 Condé Nast union members from the company's New York headquarters shortly before her scheduled arrival on Tuesday. Once informed of the situation, she promptly left the building in solidarity with the striking workers.
The official union social media account expressed gratitude to Hathaway, referencing her iconic role in "The Devil Wears Prada" with a touch of humor, stating, "Thank you, Anne Hathaway, for not crossing our picket line."
Condé Nast employees, disapproving of the recent staff cuts and mergers, held a rally outside the New York offices on Tuesday, emphasizing their opposition with signs and chants.
The union's vice-chair, Ben Dewey, explained the choice of Tuesday for the walkout, coinciding with the 2024 Oscars nominations, to underscore the importance of union members in covering major events for Condé Nast. Dewey urged readers to boycott Condé Nast publications until their message is acknowledged, US Magazine reported.
