The New York Times tech workers' strike lasts until Election Day

The New York Times woke up on Election Day and hundreds of its tech employees were still on strike on the biggest news day of the year.

“We’re back on the strike line today,” the Times Tech Guild wrote on @NYTimes management.”

The 600 Tech Guild members, who control the back-end systems that drive the newspaper's extensive digital operations, went on strike because they were unable to reach a contract agreement after months of negotiations.

The strikers, who spoke to Fox News Digital on Monday as they demonstrated outside the New York Times building, acknowledged that the timing of the strike could jeopardize one of the most-visited news sites of any American news outlet on the day the country begins its next President elects.

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“It's our peak traffic when we see the most people coming to The New York Times during a presidential election. “That's why we gave management a deadline months ago saying we wanted a contract by the election or we'd go on strike,” Times software engineer Sarah Duncan said. “They wouldn't give us what we asked for, so we've compromised enough already. We’re done with the compromises and we’re staying out here until we get a fair deal.”

The Times' famous “Election Needle,” which shows the likelihood of Donald Trump or Kamala Harris winning the election, could be at risk from the strike. Strikers have also encouraged Times readers and app users not to play games like Wordle or engage on the site in solidarity with their movement.

A New York Times technician demands a contract while picketing outside company headquarters on November 4, 2024. (Fox News)

Several other members of the Times newsroom have also encouraged management to reach an agreement to help them carry out their duties. More than 750 Times journalists called on publisher AG Sulzberger and other Times executives to reach an agreement before Election Day, the Washington Post reported.

“Without the Tech Guild, we cannot do our work,” the pledge states. “Can you imagine our voting pin not working, the app not opening, or the homepage failing?”

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According to the Times, negotiations continued late into Sunday and there were still disagreements over issues such as a “just cause” provision that would prevent termination for reasons unrelated to misconduct, as well as pay raises and guidelines for returning to office. Times management told workers Sunday that it had offered a 2.5% annual wage increase, a 5% minimum wage increase for promotions and a $1,000 ratification bonus.

Reached for comment, New York Times Company spokeswoman Danielle Rhoades-Ha referred Fox News Digital to its previous statement expressing disappointment at the timing of the strike.

“We look forward to continuing to work with Tech Guild to reach a fair contract that recognizes that they are already among the highest paid individual employees in the company and that journalism is our top priority,” said spokeswoman Rhoades-Ha.

Americans may no longer be able to rely on The New York Times for Election Day information and analysis if hundreds of the giant paper's disgruntled tech employees continue to strike. (Fox News Digital)

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“We are in one of the most significant reporting periods for our readers and have robust plans in place to ensure we can fulfill our mission and serve our readers,” she continued. “While we respect the union’s right to engage in protected action, we are disappointed that colleagues are striking at this time, which is both unnecessary and inconsistent with our mission.”

Fox News' Brian Flood, Hannah Lambert, Nikolas Lanum and Kendall Tietz contributed to this report.