600 New York Times Tech Workers Launch Unfair Labor Strike Before Election, Threatening Coverage

Nov 4, 2024, 01:49 PM

More than 600 New York Times tech workers have gone on an unfair labor practice strike ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election after contract negotiations failed. The strike, initiated by the Times Tech Guild at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, represents software developers, data analysts, and other technology staff who power the newspaper's digital platforms, including election coverage tools, games like Wordle, and the Cooking app. The workers are demanding fair pay raises—management has offered only a 1% to 2.5% annual wage increase despite a 13.6% jump in profits—as well as job security provisions like just cause protections and pay equity. The strike could potentially disrupt the Times' election coverage as the presidential race comes to a close. Striking employees plan to picket in front of the Times Square office from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and are asking readers to support their cause by not accessing Times games or cooking apps during the strike.