The workforce of the prestigious New York Times, Thursday, embarked on a 24-hour walkout to demonstrate their displeasure over a wage dispute.
That will be the first time in the organization’s 40 years that its union members – journalists and employees will stage industrial action.
The staff explained they were fed up with bargaining that has been on since their last contract expired in March 2021, according to Reuters.
The union stated last week that more than 1,100 employees would stage a one-day work stoppage beginning at 12.01 am on Thursday except the two parties reached a contract deal.
Negotiations lasted for more than 12 hours into late Tuesday and continued on Wednesday, but the sides remained far apart on issues including wage increases and remote-work policies.
On Wednesday evening the union said via Twitter that a deal had not been reached and the walkout was happening. “We were ready to work for as long as it took to reach a fair deal,” it said, “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 said in a statement that they were still in negotiations when they were told that the strike was happening.
“It is disappointing that they are taking such an extreme action when we are not at an impasse,” she said.
