New York Times Guild Members Pledge To Walk Out

[Mr. X]

Senior White House reporters Peter Baker and Michael Scherer scabbed out today.

As of 5 p.m. EST, no tweets from Peter Baker, two re-tweets from Michael Scherer.

Hopefully by Friday they will tweet explanations about why they chose to work Thursday.

 

[wicked]

Hopefully by Friday they will tweet explanations about why they chose to work Thursday.

There was nothing going on at the White House today. I'm sure they just decided to sit in the press briefing room all day for ships and giggles.

As someone else said, it's their right to work if they choose. Are they even members of the guild? I could see the bosses finding a way to make those spots exempt from the bargaining unit. Good luck charting time for someone on a 24-7 beat like that.

 

[Small Town Guy]

https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/12/new-york-times-walk-out-strike-december-8.html

As the last remaining person in America who hasn't been on a Zoom call since the pandemic started, it does seem like some in-person negotiation wouldn't be the worst idea.

So far, the NewsGuild and members of the bargaining committee have refused to negotiate in person. They've been doing this all over Zoom with hundreds of colleagues watching. "That dramatically changes how things are done," says one Times executive. "They are playing to this audience, the whole thing becomes so performative and theatrical in ways that make it hard to get things done."

Many reporters quietly admitted to me this week that they think it's lame how their representatives won't just get in a room to hash it out. "The Guild is sort of like the Democratic Party," says one reporter who is a member. "There are a bunch of moderates who are like, Yeah, this seems fair, everybody needs a fair contract. And then there are a bunch of Bernie and AOC types who are just like, Let's burn the goddamn building down. I get those vibes every time I log onto one of those calls." (Management has said that if the Guild agrees to negotiate in person, they'll allow a hybrid bargaining session in which members can still beam in to observe the proceedings, and that anyone concerned about COVID can also participate virtually.)

 

[Regan MacNeil]

Alma works at the New York Times?

 

[DanOregon]

In honor of the Raiders, my first three Wordle guesses were Choke, Fails and Drain.

 

[Mr. X]

From The Wall Street Journal

New York Times Staffers Go on One-Day Strike Amid Stalled Contract Talks

 

[playthrough]

https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/12/new-york-times-walk-out-strike-december-8.html

As the last remaining person in America who hasn't been on a Zoom call since the pandemic started, it does seem like some in-person negotiation wouldn't be the worst idea.

Never been on a Zoom call? That's a badge of honor. Reminds me of an old coworker who, whenever we had to do icebreakers in meetings where you tell a fun fact about yourself, said he had never been in a Wal-Mart.

 

[Sam Mills 51]

In honor of the Raiders, my first three Wordle guesses were Choke, Fails and Drain.

Baker?

 

[MileHigh]

Baker?

No, but drain is a very good first word today.

 

[BTExpress]

Never been on a Zoom call? That's a badge of honor. Reminds me of an old coworker who, whenever we had to do icebreakers in meetings where you tell a fun fact about yourself, said he had never been in a Wal-Mart.

I've never been on one, though wife and I have to give depositions by Zoom in February.

All meetings at McClatchy and the interview for my current job were done by Google meet. I had to dust off the old 2007 iMac for the job interview, because my Mac Mini doesn't have a microphone or camera attached.

 

[JC]

They decided they wanted to work. They have that right.

And they are pieces of ship scabs for doing it.

 

[fossywriter8]

Not to hijack a thread or anything, but I've also never been on a Zoom call or even used FaceTime.