NYT Guild presents new contract proposals on diversity, remote work and safety

The New York Times union, the NewsGuild of New York, said it has presented proposals on diversity, remote work and safety for its new contract in the first negotiating session.

“The team delivered a petition signed by over 1,000 Guild members in support of our issues platform: equitable pay, improved health care, resources to foster diversity and inclusion, clear career growth opportunities, and protections for remote work,” the union tweeted on Thursday.

The team delivered a petition signed by over 1,000 Guild members in support of our issues platform: equitable pay, improved health care, resources to foster diversity and inclusion, clear career growth opportunities, and protections for remote work.

— NYTimesGuild (@NYTimesGuild) March 25, 2021

The first proposal dealt with diversity after a NYT diversity report found that the work environment was “difficult” for people of color.

The second proposal highlighted remote work, which the union said was “an area we unexpectedly and quite successfully navigated for the last year and seek to further refine and codify.”

The third proposal highlights health and safety and aims “to protect our workers from violence and harassment targeting the press and to prevent our workplaces from being incubators for infectious disease.”

In this proposal, the union is asking that nondisclosure agreements be terminated if it involves an incident of harassment or discrimination.

The current contract between the union and NYT expires at the end of March. 

“This contract is for all of us, by all of us. The Times is thriving because of our hard work, and we look forward to securing a contract that reflects our contributions,” the union said.

The Hill has reached out to The New York Times for comment. 

Updated: 7:35 p.m.