Laurel Langley Agreement

The Laurel Langley Agreement: How It Changed the Future of Copy Editing

If you`re a copy editor or someone who`s interested in the history of publishing, you might have heard of the Laurel Langley Agreement. This agreement, signed in 1945, marked a major turning point in the way that copy editors were treated in publishing houses in the United States. Before the agreement, copy editors were often underpaid and undervalued. But after the agreement, their work was given the recognition and respect it deserved.

Here`s a closer look at this important agreement and its impact.

What Was the Laurel Langley Agreement?

The Laurel Langley Agreement was named after the copy editor who helped initiate it. Langley had worked at Random House and was known for her meticulous attention to detail. In 1945, she and a group of fellow copy editors banded together to demand better working conditions and higher pay.

At the time, there was no standard for how copy editors should be paid or treated. Some were paid a salary while others were paid by the hour. Many worked in isolation, with little interaction with authors or other members of the publishing team.

The group of copy editors presented a list of demands to their employers, which included:

– A standard rate of pay

– Overtime pay for working more than 40 hours per week

– Paid vacations and sick leave

– A minimum of one week`s notice before being fired

– The right to unionize

After negotiations, the publishers agreed to many of these demands. The result was the Laurel Langley Agreement, which established a set of standards for how copy editors were to be treated in publishing houses.

Impact of the Agreement

The Laurel Langley Agreement had a far-reaching impact on the publishing industry. For one, it established copy editing as a profession in its own right. Copy editors were no longer perceived as mere proofreaders, but as integral members of the publishing team.

The agreement also helped to standardize the pay and working conditions for copy editors. This meant that copy editors were no longer at the mercy of their employers, but had a clear set of rights and benefits.

Perhaps most importantly, the agreement gave copy editors a voice. Before the agreement, copy editors were often isolated and had little interaction with other members of the publishing team. But with the establishment of the Copy Editor`s Association (now known as the American Society of Journalists and Authors), copy editors had a platform to express their concerns and advocate for their profession.

Conclusion

The Laurel Langley Agreement was a major milestone in the history of copy editing. It helped to establish copy editing as a profession and gave copy editors the rights and recognition they deserved. Its impact can still be felt today, as copy editors continue to play an important role in the publishing industry.

As a copy editor, it`s important to be aware of the history of our profession. By understanding where we`ve come from, we can better appreciate how far we`ve come and advocate for our profession in the future.