NY Times tech workers plan walkout amid union fight

Tech workers at The New York Times are planning a walkout on Wednesday in protest of what they see as the news company’s attempts to hinder their unionization efforts.

“As tech workers, we create the tools that power the @nytimes,” the New York Times Tech Guild wrote in a Tuesday tweet. “We work together, build together, and are ready to vote yes for our union. If management insists on engaging in Unfair Labor Practices and dividing us, we will have no choice but to walk out together tomorrow at noon.”

As tech workers, we create the tools that power the @nytimes. We work together, build together, and are ready to vote yes for our union. If management insists on engaging in Unfair Labor Practices and dividing us, we will have no choice but to walk out together tomorrow at noon.

— New York Times Tech Guild (@NYTGuildTech) August 10, 2021

The plan came about on Monday after employees caught wind of Times management’s attempt to exclude staff such as data analysts and designers from a unionization vote, Bloomberg reports.

Among those who expressed support for the Times workers was New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D), who called on the company management to work with their employees to “ensure a fair election and democratic election.”

I support the @nytimes tech workers who are fighting with their union to create a more equitable workplace. Times management and @nytguildtech should work together to ensure a fair election and democratic election.

— Jamaal Bowman (@JamaalBowmanNY) August 10, 2021

The planned walkout comes two months after the NewsGuild of New York, a union for news professionals, filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge against the Times with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

The Times has denied the accusations brought against them.

“It’s disappointing that the union is more focused on attention-seeking tactics than in having constructive dialogue with the company over the critical issue of who is eligible for the proposed bargaining unit — a standard part of the NLRB election process,” New York Times spokesperson Danielle Rhoades Ha told The Hill.

Rhoades Ha added that the company is acting legally, and is “committed to working with the union in good faith to determine the appropriate unit and schedule an election.”