New York Times Workers Urge Readers To Join ‘Digital Picket Line’ As Union Strike Begins

The New York Times’ unionized employees are encouraging readers to join a “digital picket line” by not engaging with any Times content on Thursday in support of the paper’s one-day strike.

Amanda Hess, the NewsGuild of New York’s second vice president, confirmed that more than 1000 unionized Times employees will go on strike for 24 hours on December 8. Hess asked her Twitter followers to show their support by boycotting the New York Times on that day.

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“We’re asking readers to not engage in any @nytimes platforms tomorrow and stand with us on the digital picket line! Read local news. Listen to public radio. Make something from a cookbook. Break your Wordle streak,” Hess tweeted.

We’re asking readers to not engage in any @nytimes platforms tomorrow and stand with us on the digital picket line! Read local news. Listen to public radio. Make something from a cookbook. Break your Wordle streak.

— Amanda Hess (@amandahess) December 7, 2022

Maggie Astor, a Times reporter and union member, responded with nearly identical language.

“Barring a breakthrough, @nytimes staff will walk out from midnight to 11:59pm Thursday, Dec. 8. We’re asking readers to stand with us on the digital picket line and not visit any NYT platforms tomorrow. Read local news. Make something from a cookbook. Break your Wordle streak,” Astor tweeted.

Barring a breakthrough, @nytimes staff will walk out from midnight to 11:59pm Thursday, Dec. 8.

We’re asking readers to stand with us on the digital picket line and not visit any NYT platforms tomorrow. Read local news. Make something from a cookbook. Break your Wordle streak. https://t.co/KiUlHAtkuh

— Maggie Astor (@MaggieAstor) December 7, 2022

The New York Times Guild, the paper’s union for media workers, endorsed the message soon after: “If @NYTimesGuild members don’t have a deal soon, we’re asking readers to not engage in any @nytimes platforms tomorrow and stand with us on the digital picket line! Read local news. Listen to public radio. Pull out a cookbook. Break your Wordle streak.”

This will be the company’s largest work stoppage since 1978. Meanwhile, Democratic Congressman Jamaal Bowman weighed into the matter, writing on Twitter:

“Tonight at midnight, 1,100 workers @nytimes are going on a 24 hour strike. Here’s what you can do… Do not engage with any of the New York Times platforms. DO NOT CROSS THE DIGITAL PICKET LINE. Get your news from other sources and tell your friends to do the same. @nyguild”

Tonight at midnight, 1,100 workers at @nytimes are going on a 24 hour strike. Here’s what you can do…

Do not engage with any of the New York Times platforms. DO NOT CROSS THE DIGITAL PICKET LINE. Get your news from other sources and tell your friends to do the same. @nyguild pic.twitter.com/Eu9Cha4aFg

— Jamaal Bowman Ed.D (@JamaalBowmanNY) December 8, 2022

The announcement came after a series of failed negotiations with the management of the paper on a variety of issues, including pay raises, health insurance, and pension plans. While the union threatened to strike as early as Friday, it appears that negotiations to end the strike have failed.

The New York Post first reported on the frustrations with negotiations in August, after more than two years without a pay raise. Members of the union also insisted on workers being able to work remotely indefinitely, rather than the New York Times’ original mandatory deadline of July 2023.

The New York Post also reported that the walkout could affect publications other than the New York Times. If the trade unions prevail, the New York Post, Newsday, and the regional editions of the Wall Street Journal and USA Today, which outsource their printing to the Times’ College Point printing plant, may also be impacted.

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Meanwhile, managers at the New York Times have reportedly been preparing for a massive walkout on Thursday.

Staffers and reporters have been asked to file stories earlier, and internal messaging from chief human resources officer Jacqueline Welch has stated that workers will not be paid for the day if they participate in the strike.