Solidarity with The New York Times Union

As of December 2, 2022, The New York Times Guild is prepared to walk out, and FSP is committed to honoring their picket line.

After more than 20 months of bargaining with The New York Times, newsroom employees at the Times still do not have a fair contract. In order to get what they deserve — including protected pensions, fully-funded healthcare, and wage increases in line with inflation — they’re ready to walk out on Thursday, December 8, 2022.

As media freelancers, we have a crucial role to play when our colleagues walk out or go on strike. We can help ensure the strike’s success by committing not to work for the publication while a work stoppage is ongoing — e.g. honoring the picket line. 

Wait, what’s a picket line exactly? Traditionally, this is where striking workers gather not only to demonstrate, but to monitor who enters the workplace. The goal of a strike is to bring a company’s operations to a halt, and strikers want to ensure no one crosses the picket line and goes to work. In the age of digital media, our picket lines can be virtual as well as physical, but the goal never changes: to bring the company’s operations to a standstill. Any work done for a company during a strike undermines this effort, and therefore constitutes crossing the picket line.

In the past, FSP has honored picket lines established by striking members of The New Yorker Union, GMG Union, WIRED Union, Wirecutter Union, and others. Learn more here.

The Times Guild and FSP-NWU are now asking that freelancers respect their picket line during the upcoming walkout period, from midnight on Thursday, December 8, until midnight the following day — as well as during any future work stoppage. 

What does it mean to honor the Times Guild’s picket line during this walk out, and any futurework stoppage?

• Do not perform work for The New York Times (meaning work that is usually done by members of the union, including writing, editing, photo and design work, copy editing, and fact checking) while a work stoppage is ongoing. 
• Do not pitch or produce new work for The New York Times during the work stoppage. 
• Do not submit edits to forthcoming stories during the work stoppage. 
• Do not communicate with Times management.
• Do encourage your audience to support Guild workers in their fight for a fair contract. 

How can I show solidarity with the workers at The New York Times?

• Sign and share our freelancers’ pledge to respect the picket line during the The New York Times Guild walkout, and during any future work stoppage.
• Sign and share the The New York Times Guild general supporter pledge with your networks.

We, the undersigned freelancers, pledge not to cross the picket line during the New York Times Guild walkout, or during any future Guild work stoppage.

Add your name!

☆ = Freelance Solidarity Project member