New York Times tech worker strike extends to Election Day

The New York Times woke up to Election Day with hundreds of its technical staff still on strike on the most important news day of the year.

“We’re back on the picket line today,” the Times Tech Guild wrote on X. “We know it’s a tough day to strike for our members, but we want to be clear: We’re here because of the decisions of the @NYTimes management.”

The Tech Guild’s 600 members, who control the back-end systems that power the paper’s extensive digital operations, went on strike after failing to reach a contract agreement after months of negotiations.

The strikers who spoke to Fox News Digital As they demonstrated outside the New York Times building on Monday, they acknowledged that the timing of the strike could jeopardize one of the most visited news sites of any American news outlet on the day the country chooses its next president.

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“It’s our peak when we see the most people coming to The New York Times is during a presidential election, so that’s why months ago we gave management a deadline saying we wanted a contract before the election or we’re going on strike,” said Times software engineer Sarah Duncan. “They wouldn’t give us what we demanded, so we’ve already made enough compromises. We’re done compromising, so we’re out here until we get a fair contract.”

The Times’ famous “Election Needle,” which shows the likelihood of Donald Trump or Kamala Harris winning the election, could be jeopardized by the dropout. Strikers have also urged Times readers and app users not to play games like Wordle or engage with the site in solidarity with their movement.

A New York Times technician calls for a contract while on strike outside the company’s headquarters on November 4, 2024. (Fox News)

Some other Times Newsroom members have also called on management to strike a deal to help them do their jobs. More than 750 Times reporters urged publisher AG Sulzberger and other Times brass to strike a deal ahead of Election Day, writes the Washington Post.

“We can’t do our jobs without the Tech Guild,” the pledge states. “Can you imagine if our voting pin didn’t work, the app didn’t open or the website crashed?”

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According to the Times, talks entered late Sunday and remained at odds over issues such as a “due process” provision that would prevent termination for reasons unrelated to misconduct, as well as raises and returns to office. Times management told workers on Sunday that they had offered a 2.5% annual salary increase, a minimum 5% salary increase for promotions and a $1,000 ratification bonus.

Reached for comment, New York Times Company spokeswoman Danielle Rhoades-Ha referred Fox News Digital to her earlier statement expressing disappointment at the timing of the strike.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the Tech Guild to reach a fair contract that takes into account that they are already among the highest paid individual contributors in the company and journalism is our top priority,” said spokesman Rhoades – Huh.

Americans may not be able to rely on The New York Times for Election Day information and analysis if hundreds of the giant paper’s disgruntled tech workers continue to strike. (Fox News Digital)

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“We are in one of the most consequential periods of coverage for our readers and have robust plans in place to ensure we are able to fulfill our mission and serve our readers,” she continued. “While we respect the union’s right to engage in protected action, we are disappointed that colleagues would strike at this time, which is both unnecessary and contrary to our mission.”

Fox News’ Brian Flood, Hannah Lambert, Nikolas Lanum and Kendall Tietz contributed to this report.