ICYMI: New York Times workers on strike over wage dispute

• Over  1,000 New York Times workers have gone on strike over wage dispute
• Appeal that readers refrain from using any New York Times platforms.

Hundreds of workers at the New York Times went on strike Thursday, in the first industrial action of its kind in more than 40 years, their union said and announced after bargaining over their contract fell through Wednesday.

After failing to reach an agreement with the firm on a new round of contract discussions, journalists and other employees of the illustrious media outlet, frequently described to as America’s paper of record, went on a 24-hour strike, according to the union.

The management’s failure to increase salaries in pace with rising inflation, according to The NewsGuild of New York, a union that represents the striking workers, was cited as a major sticking point.

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.

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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.

“Over 1,100 New York Times workers are now officially on work stoppage, the first of this scale at the company in 4 decades,” the union tweeted early Thursday morning.

New York Times spokeswoman Danielle Rhoades Ha told US media in a statement that negotiations had not broken down and “it is disappointing that they are taking such an extreme action when we are not at an impasse.”

Phoebe Lett, a podcast producer at the media outlet, tweeted: “It is heartbreaking to have to stand with nearly 1,200 colleagues who sacrifice everything for the good of this place, hat in hand, asking @nytimes to show us they value us. But here we are.”

The union said its members were “willing to do what it takes to win a better newsroom for all.”

There’s no better feeling than canceling plans, but plan we must. Join @NYTimesGuild members, @NewsGuild + @NYGuild for a picket and rally at 1pm on Thursday! All are welcome. pic.twitter.com/3M1OiSTZMT

— NYTimesGuild (@NYTimesGuild) December 6, 2022