The New York Times is facing its first major work stoppage since the 1970s, after staff demanding better pay and benefits declared a 24-hour walkout, BBC reports.
The firm said it was disappointed by the decision but was prepared to serve readers “without disruption”.
The stand-off comes at a time of heightened labour unrest in the US, as the cost of living continues to rise. Union members say the company can afford their demands, despite challenges in the wider news business.
“We’re incredibly fortunate to work for one of the few places in media, or print media, that is profitable, healthily profitable,” said sports reporter Kevin Draper. “And yet the proposals that management have made are barely better than what we got last time.”
More than 1,100 union members are planning to participate in the 8 December walkout, including big names such as film critic AO Scott.
At the end of 2021, the New York Times employed about 5,000 people, including more than 2,000 in journalism operations.
The union said it would leave some departments with nearly no one at work - though some units will be less affected.
The last contract was negotiated in 2017, when the New York Times was still finding its way through the disruption triggered by the rise of tech giants such as Google, which have drawn advertising dollars away from traditional news.
Since then, the company has successfully shifted away from advertising to rely primarily on paid subscriptions. In a recent update to investors, it said that revenue was expected to rise further, forecasting a strong year.
The action at the New York Times comes after a wave of labour organising in the wider media industry, which has been grappling with years of job losses, erosion in benefits and meagre pay.
About 6,500 workers in media have become union members in the last five years, said Jon Schleuss, president of the NewsGuild-CWA.
Staff at two smaller newspapers, the Fort Worth Star Telegram and the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, are currently in the midst of multi-week strikes.
Meanwhile many companies still reliant on advertising are grappling with declines that are expected to worsen as the economy slows.
Firms such as newspaper owner Gannett, broadcaster CNN and online outlet Buzzfeed have all announced plans to cut hundreds of jobs in recent weeks.
