Tech Guild Strike at NYTimes Puts Election Day Reporting in Jeopardy

person holding a phone with text that reads The New York Times.

The New York Times Tech Guild’s threat to strike on Election Day ignites concerns over potential interruptions in critical coverage during a pivotal moment in American politics.

At a Glance

  • NY Times Tech Guild threatens strike over contract dispute.
  • The guild’s demands include job security and pay equity.
  • A strike could disrupt Election Day coverage at NYT.
  • The Times anticipates $100 million cost over three years due to demands.

Guild’s Standoff with NYT Over Election Coverage

Tech union workers at The New York Times are threatening to strike on Election Day, citing demands including pet bereavement leave, a four-day workweek, and security for non-citizens on work visas. Comprising approximately 600 tech-oriented employees, including software engineers and data analysts, the Guild plays a crucial role in the publication’s operations. Potential strike action poses a significant challenge during a peak period for election coverage.

The Times has estimated that meeting the Guild’s demands would incur over $100 million in compensation and benefits over three years. Guild members earn an average salary of $190,000, which is higher than other journalist unions at the Times. Despite this, the Guild aims to address pay disparities between white and non-white employees and between genders.

Unprecedented Impact on Election Day Operations

The strike threat coincides with the November election’s peak activity, potentially impacting the New York Times’ ability to provide timely updates and conduct their famed election-night needle analysis. Half of the Guild’s members are tasked with maintaining election-critical systems, a fact that emphasizes their bargaining position.

“Pretty much every aspect of the business is backed by digital systems that we’ve created,” said Benjamin Harnett. “If engineers with critical knowledge of those systems aren’t there, … that could really go through the whole business.”

In addition to the potential disruption, approximately 750 NYT journalists have expressed their support for the Tech Guild’s demands and urged management to reach a resolution. The Times claims to have comprehensive plans in place to ensure they can uphold their mission and serve their readers despite the strike threat.

Solidarity and Implications

The Wirecutter Union, representing journalists at the Times’ product review site, aligns with the Tech Guild. Their support highlights a broader call within the industry for fairer negotiations. Meanwhile, the Writers Guild of America recently reached a tentative agreement, offering some context to the Tech Guild’s situation.

“The best way to avoid a disruption to all of our work is for management to offer a fair contract as quickly as possible,” said the Wirecutters Union.

The Guild has faced notable resistance since announcing their union formation in 2021. Despite NYT’s assertions of conducting a large-scale analysis that found no evidence of discrimination, the Guild remains steadfast in addressing perceived pay and representation disparities.

Sources:

  1. https://nypost.com/2024/09/17/media/ny-times-tech-unions-bizarre-demands-to-avert-strike-include-higher-pay-for-non-white-workers-ban-on-scents-in-break-rooms/
  2. https://www.nyguild.org/post/leadership-of-wirecutter-union-joins-chorus-of-support-for-nyt-tech-guilds-strike-authorization
  3. https://dailycaller.com/2024/10/23/strike-nyt-election-coverage-tech-guild/
  4. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/25/business/media/hollywood-writers-strike-deal.html
  5. https://www.nytimes.com/topic/organization/writers-guild-of-america
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