On the fourth of November, 2024, users were warned on the popular social media app “X” to not use the cooking app or any of the games on the website. The very next day, the New York Times workers walked out of their office. Since this was the day before the election happened, the entire website was in disarray and panic.
The walkout included more than 600 tech members, people who analyzed data and kept track of the condition of software. The union made a public statement and said that they had given management notice for months, even years, only for their notices to be ignored. Finally, after a long negotiation that dragged into late Sunday, the union gave the date and the time that they would be going on strike. And so it began. The protests began at 9am on Monday the 4th and continued to Tuesday the 12th, when they ended the strike.
But let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. Why are they doing this? What are they trying to accomplish?
The union said that they wanted the NYT to address racial disparities in their worker’s pay to ensure everyone’s safety, as well as address the multitude of unfair labor practices filed against them. They’re requesting more equitable wages, better job security, and more flexibility around remote working.
What does Heritage think about this? How are they taking the strike?
“I think it’s definitely slowing down production, but I think they’re doing it for a noble reason.” Elliot Ivey said, a freshman here at Heritage High School. He continued, “It’s definitely changed a part of my life, but I think they’re completely justified in their decision.”
Whether the NYT workers accomplish anything or not, this walkout and protest will definitely go down in history as the NYT’s second protest related event in recent years. Let’s just hope that the next Wordle for the website isn’t “HAVOC.”
