Verso Books Guild Secures Second Contract

The Verso Books Guild (US) has unanimously voted to ratify its 2nd contract. The new agreement raises the publisher's salary floor, which will top $60,000 by the end of the contract period in 2028, and, notably, includes protections against the "insidious spread of AI." 

Other provisions include:

• "predictable and automatic" annual salary increases at the start of each year
• expanded benefits for out-of-pocket medical expenses, 401K contributions, and paid leave
• an article that "puts workers firmly in control of AI and bans any implementation of the technology that results in the replacement of a unit member"
• a designation of sales and design as bargaining unit work
• an extension of the grievance period by 1 working week, up to a total of 20 days, to give workers greater agency over their right to strike 
• a new article on gender identity protections
• further layoff protections and recall rights 

"We are proud of this contract, our unit, and the commitments of our house. We are also proud of our colleagues throughout publishing who are starting to talk with their coworkers about what this industry could be," the Guild said. "To those comrades, the Verso Union offers both our solidarity and a helping hand—know that our door is always open. Together we can raise the bar for workers in this industry and beyond."