Hundreds of
New York Times staffers
staged a brief walkout Monday afternoon as part of an ongoing contract negotiation battle that's left members of the Newspaper Guild working without a contract for 18 months. The dispute has centered around the usual suspects—salary questions and management wanting to freeze pensions and require higher employee health care contributions—as well as the union's fight for a single contract covering both print and digital workers.
The walkout was a strong show of solidarity and a reminder to management that if a couple hundred New York Times workers walk out, even for a few minutes, it draws some attention. But, according to an organizing email:
This is not a job action. We want you to participate if you have flexibility in your work schedule that permits a 10 or 15 minute break at 3:35. Please plan your day accordingly. If you are unable to join the group, colleagues will bring back stickers.
The workers appear to be united and energized, but they're up against some big guns:
Times management has retained lawyers from the firm that
represented the National Football League as it locked out its referees.