Years-long contract fights at media companies came to a head in 2024. Unions from the New York Times, NBC, and Forbes issued warnings to leadership about their intentions during critical events for the company in recent months. Here is a breakdown of some of the biggest moments:
* The New York Times Tech Guild went on strike for a week in November 2024, protesting “unfair labor practices” and demanding a contract. The strike affected the paper’s digital operations, leading to issues with its websites and apps.
* NBC’s digital employees also took action, projecting messages onto 30 Rock, blaming company leadership for dragging its feet on a contract. The NBC Digital NewsGuild, which represents reporters, editors, and other digital staff, has been negotiating its first contract since unionizing in 2019.
* The Forbes Union, which represents editorial staffers, walked off the job on December 3, 2024, citing stalling by management and demanding fair wages, reductions in force, and severance protections. The union has been negotiating for a contract since 2021.
* In each case, the unions are seeking better working conditions, fair pay, and a contract that addresses their concerns. The strikes and work stoppages have disrupted operations at each company, leading to changes in how they operate and potentially impacting their ability to deliver content to the public.