The New York Times Tech Guild has warned that a strike could occur around Election Day.
The strike could significantly impact the newspaper’s ability to deliver timely election coverage, including updates, results and forecasts. According to In the Washington Post. Benjamin Harnett, principal software engineer and shop steward at the Tech Guild, said critical services such as the NYT’s famous election night needle, live blogging, and push notifications could be compromised without a technical team. emphasized.
The technology union, which represents about 600 members, overwhelmingly approved the strike in September, the newspaper reported. The union, made up of software engineers, product managers, data analysts and designers, is in its first contract negotiations with the NYT since 2022, with the heart of the dispute centered on job security and pay equity. are. Both sides have accused the other of stalling negotiations.
Approximately 750 colleagues @NYTimes Newsrooms have signed a pledge to support us. They urge AG Sulzberger and executives to negotiate now… pic.twitter.com/viAck12Ny6
— New York Times Tech Guild (@NYTGildTech) October 21, 2024
“Almost every aspect of our business is powered by the digital systems we have created,” Harnett said, The Washington Post reported. “I’ve been at the New York Times for 12 and a half years. I’ve been on standby for every presidential election and midterm election in that time, and things don’t go well overnight. If you don’t have a knowledgeable engineer there, it can really disrupt your entire business.”
The Washington Post reported that the union had strategically adjusted the timing of its strike authorization, noting that about half of its members maintained programs critical to the election. Despite the threat, the NYT insists it has a plan to minimize disruption. (Related: Harris calls rare reporter to promote latest controversial John Kerry attack on Trump)
“We have robust plans in place to ensure we can fulfill our mission and serve our readers,” NYT spokesperson Daniel Rhodes Ha said, as reported by the Washington Post.
Approximately 750 NYT journalists signed the petition. pledge It appealed to senior management on Monday, urging them to reach an agreement with the tech guild. “The Times’ jobs and reputation are at stake. Our high-tech workers deserve a strong union contract that reflects the invaluable value their work brings to the Times,” the journalists said in a statement. .
The NYT’s other unions, including the wire cutters union, support the Tech Guild and criticize management’s seven-hour collective bargaining session in September, the newspaper reported. The NYT disputed this claim and said that after 14 hours of negotiation, significant disagreements between the parties remained.
The NYT and Tech Guild did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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