On the eve of Election Day, the New York Times Tech Guild, which represents a significant portion of the newspaper's technical staff, announced a strike.
This move, which was initiated on Monday, is set to disrupt the operations of the Times, one of America's most widely read newspapers with the largest online subscription base.
As reported by Fox News, the Guild issued a statement indicating that its members would commence daily protests outside the Times headquarters from 9 a.m. Monday. This decision follows a vote on September 10th, where members agreed to strike during a pivotal period if a satisfactory agreement was not reached: Election Week. With the 2024 election drawing considerable attention, the strike could potentially impact the Times' coverage of the presidential race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, as well as numerous House and Senate races that could determine control of Washington in 2025.
The Tech Guild, comprising approximately 600 members, is responsible for the back-end systems that drive the Times' expansive digital operations. "They have left us no choice but to demonstrate the power of our labor on the picket line," stated Kathy Zhang, the Guilds unit chair, according to the New York Times. Zhang, however, emphasized the Guild's readiness to negotiate and finalize the contract.
According to the Times, negotiations continued late into Sunday, with disagreements persisting over issues such as a "just cause" provision, which would prevent termination for reasons unrelated to misconduct. Other contentious points included pay raises and return-to-office policies. The Times management informed workers on Sunday that it had proposed a 2.5 percent annual wage increase, a minimum 5 percent pay rise for promotions, and a $1,000 ratification bonus.
During a rally last week, a Guild staffer urged the company to expedite the contract process and warned of a strike if the company failed to act. He also debunked the "myth" that popular apps and services operate autonomously, without human intervention. "Our work that all of us in the Tech Guild do is as human and as directly powered by our labor as the work of our co-workers in the newsroom," he asserted.
The strike could potentially jeopardize the Times' renowned "Election Needle," which predicts the likelihood of either Trump or Harris winning the election. Tech workers also ensure the smooth functioning of the Times' apps, push alerts, and other digital mechanisms.
The negotiations have occasionally turned bitter, with the Tech Guild accusing Times managers of attempting to dissuade members from striking and providing a covert method for scabbing during a strike by remotely feeding code to a contractor. The Guild labeled such actions as "union busting" and "disgusting."
Fox News Digital sought comments from the Guild and the New York Times. A spokesperson for the Times assured that "robust plans" were in place to ensure the fulfillment of their mission and service to their readers, despite the tech staff walkout.
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