New York Times technical staff threatens to strike on Election Day over contract disputes

Technical employees bee The New York Times can vote to quit their jobs on Tuesday if their employment requirements remain unfulfilled.
The potential Election Day work stoppage could have significant consequences for the newspaper presidential elections reporting, amid ongoing failed negotiations between parties, according to the Wall Street Journal.
“We have made it clear that we must reach an agreement before the election to avoid a strike,” the union’s negotiating team wrote to the Times board of directors, urging members to intervene .
The Guild, which represents tech professionals including software engineers, data analysts and designers at “The Gray Lady,” is demonstrating its collective influence for the first time since its founding in 2022.
Union members overwhelmingly supported this proposal strike action in September, with 95% voting in favor if their demands were not met. Their main concerns include job security given the progress AI technology And fair compensation for women and minority trade unionists.
Presidential election days traditionally generate significant increases in readership for news organizations. Similar expectations exist for Tuesday’s closely watched contest between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
A representative for the Times told the Journal that the union’s timeline seemed “arbitrary” and that choosing Election Day “feels both unnecessary and contrary to our mission.”
However, the representative assured that the newspaper has “robust plans to ensure we can fulfill our mission and serve our readers.”
Although the Guild has operated without a contract since its inception, company officials insist that members receive significant compensation, with most earning more than £100,000 annually, including compensation and share options averaging around £190,000.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the Tech Guild to reach a fair contract that takes into account that they are already among the highest-paid individual contributors in the company and that journalism is our top priority,” a Times spokesperson communicated via email on Sunday.
“We are in one of the most transformative news periods for our readers,” she added. Union members gathered at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn on Saturday to argue for their benefits. The Guild did not respond to The Post’s request for comment on Sunday.