New York Times Tech Guild threatens to strike ahead of election

The New York Times Tech Guild sent a letter to the Board of Directors on Friday, saying that it needs to reach an agreement before the election in order to avoid a strike.

"As the bargaining committee of the Times Tech Guild, we are writing to you to make you aware that Times representatives have demonstrated an unwillingness at the table to be reasonable on key contract demands," the Tech Guild said in the letter, which was posted on the social platform X on Friday.

The Tech Guild, which comprises roughly 700 tech workers who maintain the business side of the company, added that it has entered the third year of contract negotiations, and its members authorized a strike on Sept. 10.

On its website, the Tech Guild states that it's fighting for job security, fair hours, wages and benefits, and diversity, equity and inclusion.

"We want to reach an agreement and believe it is possible with a good faith management partner. We have made it clear that we need to reach an agreement before the election in order to avert a strike," the bargaining team wrote in the letter.

It continued, saying that if an agreement is not met, they will be headed toward a "painful and costly strike."

"Our ask to you is simple: Tell A.G., Meredith, and the rest of the masthead to stop committing unfair labor practices and secure a fair contract by the election to avoid a strike," the bargaining team wrote.

On Saturday morning, the Tech Guild posted a video on X of members holding signs and chanting near the labor movement's inflatable picket-line prop, Scabby the Rat.

"We’re at Grand Army Plaza today, Scabby in tow, to warn NYC that their hometown paper is at risk of shutting down — unless we get the contract we deserve!" the Tech Guild wrote in the post.

This comes right before The New York Times is set to issue its third-quarter financial results on Monday.

In response to a request for comment, a New York Times Company spokesperson said in an emailed statement that the company will work with the Tech Guild to reach an agreement.

"We look forward to continuing to work with 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 journalism is our top priority," the spokesperson said in the statement, adding that the timing of the strike is "one of the most consequential periods of coverage for our readers."

"There is no outlet that provides The Times's depth of reporting and analysis -- something that will be even more essential to our readers and the country if, as in 2020, the election fails to produce a clear result until days or weeks after election day," the spokesperson wrote.

"The election deadline timing is arbitrary and was a decision made unilaterally by the Tech Guild leadership. While we respect the union’s right to engage in protected actions, threatening a strike at this time, feels both unnecessary and at odds with our mission," the spokesperson added.