Technical employees in The New York Times They can vote to leave work on Tuesday if their job demands they remain unfulfilled.
the potential Election day The work stoppage could significantly affect the newspaper’s production. presidential election coverage, amid ongoing unsuccessful negotiations between the parties, according to the Wall Street Journal.
“We have made it clear that we need to reach an agreement before the election to avoid a strike,” the union’s negotiating team wrote to the Times’ board of directors urging its members to intervene.
The Guild, which represents technical professionals including software engineers, data analysts and “The Gray Lady” designers, is demonstrating its collective influence for the first time since its creation in 2022.
Union members overwhelmingly supported strike action in September, with 95% voting in favor if their requirements were not met. His main concerns include job security, considering moving forward artificial intelligence technology and fair compensation for women and minority union members.
Presidential election days traditionally generate significant readership increases for news organizations. There are similar expectations for Tuesday’s contest between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, which will be closely watched.
A Times representative told the Journal that the union’s schedule seemed “arbitrary” and that choosing Election Day “seems unnecessary and contrary to our mission.”
However, the representative assured that the newspaper has “solid plans to ensure that we can fulfill our mission and serve our readers.”
While the Guild has operated without a contract since its formation, company officials highlight that members receive substantial compensation, with most earning more than £100,000 a year, including compensation and stock options averaging around £190,000. .
“We hope to continue working with the Technology Guild to reach a fair contract that takes into account that they are already among the Company’s highest-paid individual contributors and journalism is our top priority,” a Times spokesperson said in an email Sunday.
“We are in one of the most important coverage periods for our readers,” they added. Union members gathered Saturday at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn to defend their benefits. The Guild did not respond to the Post’s request for comment on Sunday.