Condé Nast Pays 3 Fired Staffers $400,000, Ending Labor Dispute Over 2025 Protest
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · May 27
Condé Nast Pays 3 Fired Staffers $400,000, Ending Labor Dispute Over 2025 Protest
4 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · May 27
$400,000-plus will go to three Condé Nast employees fired after a November 2025 confrontation with the company’s HR chief, while five suspended workers also had records cleared and received back pay.
The settlement expunged discipline for Jasper Lo, Alma Avalle and Ben Dewey after the union challenged the firings before the National Labor Relations Board over a clash tied to cuts including Teen Vogue’s closure.
Those three workers resigned under the deal rather than return, despite the union describing the outcome as reinstatement; Condé Nast told staff both sides denied wrongdoing and said the employees will no longer be at the company.
Jake Lahut of Wired rejected a smaller offer of four months’ back pay and is still pursuing his case, leaving one piece of the broader dispute unresolved.
After a $400,000 settlement, why is Condé Nast laying off more unionized workers just one day later?
Why did one journalist reject a hefty payout to challenge Condé Nast in a legally vulnerable labor system?
Is this settlement a labor victory or a strategic move allowing Condé Nast's continued downsizing?