MASSIVE Mobilization by NewsGuild-CWA Tells New York Times: TIME IS RUNNING OUT

WALK OUT! Today several hundred NewsGuild-CWA members at the New York Times, joined by a huge swell of support from CWA District 1 locals and leadership, picketed in front of the New York Times building in Midtown Manhattan to issue a warning to the New York Times: Time is running out to avoid a strike.

Following a strike authorization vote by the Times Tech Guild – the union that includes software engineers, product managers, data analysts, and designers at the New York Times – in mid-September, the workers have been stepping up their fight for a first contract. Among the major issues at stake is job security, which is under threat from the rise of AI, and “Just Cause” protections due to the company’s discriminatory practices around discipline and termination.

"I really wanted you to understand why Just Cause is so critical to us getting a deal," said NY NewsGuild-CWA President Susan DeCarava, speaking to the crowd of workers several hundred deep. "Someone from Labor Relations, on Management's side, actually thought it was a good idea to come down here today and threaten discipline for you engaging in collective action! To say that that is unacceptable is probably the understatement of the year!"

The 600 member Tech Guild is the largest unit of tech workers with collective bargaining rights in the country. Roughly half of the workers in the bargaining unit work on election critical programs - crucial in the final week of the 2024 Election season.

New York Times management has been dragging their feet at the bargaining table since the workers first joined the NewsGuild-CWA in 2022, despite the Union’s best efforts to increase the pace of bargaining and schedule more sessions. On September 10th, the workers voted overwhelmingly to strike if necessary.

"CWA District 1 is strong, we're united, we're together, and we have your backs!" said CWA District 1 Vice President Dennis Trainor at today's event. "We take strikes very seriously. If there's a strike [at the New York Times], we'll be with you, we'll have your backs, and we won't stop until we get the contract we deserve."

“Our work produces incredible value in this company,” said Kathy Zhang, a Senior Analytics Manager at The New York Times and unit chair of the Tech Guild. “Our members have earned a fair contract and we’re ready to do whatever it takes to make sure we get it.”

The NYGuild has filed several Unfair Labor Practice charges against the New York Times at the National Labor Relations Board for unlawful actions including failure to bargain in good faith and unilateral changes to working conditions.

And the Union’s efforts are spreading - last week, nearly 750 New York Times journalists and NewsGuild-CWA members signed a pledge pressing Times management to bargain and reach a fair contract by Election Day.