By John Ikani
Hundreds of journalists at the New York Times went on strike Thursday, their union announced, after bargaining over their contract fell through Wednesday.
The historic 24-hour walkout, which reportedly began at midnight Thursday, represents the first strike of its kind at the newspaper in more than 40 years.
Newsroom employees and other members of The NewsGuild of New York say they were tired of bargaining with the Times Company as negotiations had dragged on since their last contract expired in March 2021.
The contract between The Times and The New York Times Guild expired in March 2021, and about 40 bargaining sessions have been held since. Negotiators have failed to come to an agreement on salaries, health and retirement benefits, and other issues.
The union announced last week that more than 1,100 employees would stage a 24-hour work stoppage starting at 12:01 a.m. Thursday unless the two sides reach a contract deal.
“Today we were ready to work for as long as it took to reach a fair deal, but management walked away from the table with five hours to go,” the NYT Guild tweeted Wednesday night. “It’s official: @NYTimesGuild members are walking out for 24 hours on Thursday. We know what we’re worth,” the union said.
The NewsGuild also said the company told employees planning to strike they would not get paid for the duration of the walkout. Members were also asked to work extra hours get work done ahead of the strike, according to the union.
Reacting to the industrial action, the New York Times said representatives were in the midst of negotiations when they were told the strike was confirmed.
“It is disappointing that they are taking such an extreme action when we are not at an impasse,” Times spokesperson Danielle Rhoades Ha said.
It was unclear how Thursday’s coverage would be affected, but the strike’s supporters include members of the fast-paced live-news desk, which covers breaking news for the digital paper. Employees were planning a rally for the afternoon outside the newspaper’s offices near Times Square.
Rhoades Ha told The Associated Press the company has “solid plans in place” to continue producing content, including relying on international reporters and other journalists who are not union members.
The New York Times has seen other, shorter walkouts in recent years, including a half-day protest in August by a new union representing technology workers who claimed unfair labor practices.
Meanwhile, Union workers are asking supporters not to cross the digital picket line by abstaining from all New York Times platforms on Thursday.
“Read local news. Make something from a cookbook. Break your Wordle streak,” the union members are sharing on Twitter.
