By ALEXANDRA OLSON
NEW YORK (AP) — Hundreds of journalists and different staff at The New York Times started a 24-hour walkout Thursday, the primary strike of its variety on the newspaper in additional than 40 years.
Newsroom staff and different members of The NewsGuild of New York say they’re fed up with bargaining that has dragged on since their final contract expired in March 2021. The union introduced final week that greater than 1,100 staff would stage a 24-hour work stoppage beginning at 12:01 a.m. Thursday except the 2 sides attain a contract deal.
The NewsGuild tweeted Thursday morning that staff, “are now officially on work stoppage, the first of this scale at the company in 4 decades. It’s never an easy decision to refuse to do work you love, but our members are willing to do what it takes to win a better newsroom for all.”
Negotiations came about Tuesday and a few of Wednesday, however the sides remained far aside on points together with wage will increase and remote-work insurance policies.
On Wednesday night the union stated through Twitter {that a} deal had not been reached and the walkout was taking place. “We were ready to work for as long as it took to reach a fair deal,” it stated, “but management walked away from the table with five hours to go.”
“We know what we’re worth,” the union added.
But New York Times spokesperson Danielle Rhoades Ha stated in an announcement that they had been nonetheless in negotiations after they had been advised that the strike was taking place.
“It is disappointing that they are taking such an extreme action when we are not at an impasse,” she stated.
It was unclear how Thursday’s protection could be affected, however the strike’s supporters embody members of the fast-paced live-news desk, which covers breaking information for the digital paper. Employees had been planning a rally for that afternoon outdoors the newspaper’s workplaces close to Times Square.
Rhoades Ha advised The Associated Press the corporate has “solid plans in place” to proceed producing content material, together with counting on worldwide reporters and different journalists who aren’t union members.
In a be aware despatched to guild-represented workers Tuesday night time, Deputy Managing Editor Cliff Levy known as the deliberate strike “puzzling” and “an unsettling moment in negotiations over a new contract.” He stated it could be the primary strike by the bargaining unit since 1981 and “comes despite intensifying efforts by the company to make progress.”
But in a letter signed by greater than 1,000 staff, the NewsGuild stated administration has been “dragging its feet” bargaining for almost two years and “time is running out to reach a fair contract” by the top of the 12 months.
The NewsGuild additionally stated the corporate advised staff planning to strike they might not receives a commission in the course of the walkout. Members had been additionally requested to work further hours get work accomplished forward of the strike, in line with the union.
The New York Times has seen different, shorter walkouts in recent times, together with a half-day protest in August by a brand new union representing expertise staff who claimed unfair labor practices.
In one breakthrough that either side known as vital, the corporate backed off its proposal to interchange the prevailing adjustable pension plan with an enhanced 401 (ok) retirement plan. The Times supplied as a substitute to let the union select between the 2. The firm additionally agreed to develop fertility therapy advantages.
Levy stated the corporate has additionally supplied to lift wages by 5.5% upon ratification of the contract, adopted by 3% hikes in 2023 and 2024. That could be a rise from the two.2% annual will increase within the expired contract.
Stacy Cowley, a finance reporter and union consultant, stated the union is searching for 10% pay raises at ratification, which she stated would make up for raises not obtained over the previous two years.
She additionally stated the union desires the contract to ensure staff the choice to work remotely a number of the time, if their roles enable for it, however the firm desires the best to recall staff to the workplace full time. Cowley stated the Times has required its workers to be in workplace three days per week however many have been exhibiting up much less typically in a casual protest.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”
