The New York Times Tech Guild Is on Strike
What Happened?
On Thursday, December 8th, 2022, the New York Times Tech Guild, representing over 1,100 employees in the technology department, went on strike. The Tech Guild is composed of software engineers, data scientists, product managers, designers, and other technical professionals employed by The New York Times Company.
The strike is the culmination of months of negotiations between the Guild and the Company over a new contract. Key issues include pay, benefits, and working conditions.
Why Are They Striking?
The Guild has cited several reasons for the strike, including:
- Low pay: The Guild claims that The New York Times pays its tech workers less than comparable companies, such as Google and Meta.
- Inadequate benefits: The Guild says that The New York Times' health insurance and retirement plans are not competitive with other companies in the industry.
- Poor working conditions: The Guild alleges that The New York Times has failed to address concerns about long hours, high stress, and a lack of diversity and inclusion in the tech department.
What Does the Company Say?
In a statement, The New York Times Company said that it is "disappointed" by the Guild's decision to strike. The Company said that it has offered the Guild a "fair and equitable" contract that includes "significant wage increases, enhanced benefits, and improved working conditions."
The Company also said that it is committed to "maintaining a productive and respectful relationship with our employees" and that it is "hopeful that we can reach a resolution to this dispute soon."
What's Next?
The strike is expected to continue until a new contract is negotiated between the Guild and the Company. It is unclear how long the strike will last, but it could have a significant impact on The New York Times' operations.
The strike has already caused delays in the publication of some of The New York Times' digital products, including its website and mobile app. The Company has said that it is working to minimize the impact of the strike on its readers and advertisers.
Conclusion
The New York Times Tech Guild strike is a significant event in the ongoing labor movement in the tech industry. The strike highlights the growing dissatisfaction among tech workers with low pay, inadequate benefits, and poor working conditions. It remains to be seen how the strike will end, but it is clear that the Guild is determined to fight for its members' rights.
