(NEW YORK CITY) – The Times Tech Guild - the Union that includes Software Engineers, Product Managers, Data Analysts, Project Managers and Designers at The New York Times - has have voted to authorize a Strike just as the Presidential Election shifts into high gear.  

The Times Tech Guild is a Bargaining Unit of The NewsGuild of New York, which represents nearly 6,000 Media Workers - including two other Units at The New York Times.  The Tech Guild is also the largest Union of Tech Workers with collective bargaining rights in the country.  The Strike Authorization Vote concluded with 89% of the Union’s Members voting and 95% approving the Strike. 

The timing of the Times Tech Strike Authorization Vote is no accident.

Roughly half of the Workers in the Bargaining Unit work on critical election programs.

“We are sending Times management a strong message with our vote,” said Kathy Zhang, a Senior Analytics Manager at The Times and Unit Chair of the Tech Guild. “Our work produces incredible value in this company.  Our Members have earned a fair contract and we’re ready to do whatever it takes to make sure we get it.” 

Among the major issues at stake for the Tech Guild is job security, which is under threat from the rise of Artificial Intelligence and the company’s discriminatory practices around discipline and termination.

The NYGuild has filed several Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) Charges against The Times at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for unlawful actions - including failure to bargain in good faith and unilateral changes to working conditions.

NewsGuild of New York President Susan DeCarava said: “Readers and subscribers of The New York Times depend heavily on the often invisible labor of our Times Tech Guild Membership for digital access to news, games and, especially during this election cycle, timely updates from Times Guild-represented Journalists.  Far Times management appears unwilling to recognize the critical value of Tech Guild labor.  Our Union stands united in supporting Tech Guild’s efforts to accomplish a fair and just contract, including the possibility of a Strike.  We’re ready to hit the picket line.  It’s up to Times management to decide what happens next.” 

The Times Tech Guild is the second largest Bargaining Unit of The NewsGuild of New York, just behind the Times Guild, which represents Journalists, Editorial, Advertising and Administrative Staff.

The NewsGuild of New York is the largest The NewsGuild-Communications Workers of America (TNG-CWA) Local in the United States.

To Read This Labor News Story In Its Entirety, Go To: NEW YORK TIMES TECH GUILD VOTES YES TO STRIKE (nyguild.org)