NEW YORK BRACING FOR 24-HOURS

NEWSROOM STRIKE FOR INCREASING WAGES AND REMOTE WORK HOURS

The New York Times is bracing for a 24-hours walkout today, hundreds of journalists and other employees, in more than 40 years it would be the first strike of its kind at the newspaper.

The NewsGuild of New York, newsroom employees and other members say that they are fed up from this bargaining that has dragged on since their last contract was expired in March 2021. Unless the two sides make a contract deal, the union has announced last week that more than 1,100 employees would stage a 24-hours work stoppage starting at 12.01 am Thursday.

For more than 12 hours negotiation held late Tuesday and continued Wednesday, but both sides remained same on issues including wage increase and remote-work policies.

Stacy Cowley, a finance reporter and union representative said, “It’s looking very likely that we are walking on Thursday,” “There is still a pretty wide gulf between us on both economic and a number of issues.”

Until now it’s unclear to know how long day’s coverage would affected, but strike supporters included members of the fast paced live-news desk, who covers breaking news for the digital paper. Employees are planning a rally for Thursday afternoon outside the newspaper’s office near Times Square.

Danielle Rhoades Ha, New York Times spokesperson told The Associated Press that, the company has “solid plans in place” to continue producing content, that include relying on international reporters and other journalists who are not union members.

In a separate statement, Rhoades Ha stated that, “While we are disappointed that the NewsGuild is threatening to strike, we are prepared to ensure The Times continues to serve our readers without disruption.”

On Tuesday night in a note sent to Guild-represented staff, Deputy Managing Editor, Cliff Levy called it planned strike “puzzling” and “an unsettling moment in negotiations on a new contract.” Since 1981 it would be the first strike in the bargaining unit, he said and “comes despite intensifying efforts by the company to make progress.”