Tech workers stage hybrid strike over return to office

Tech workers at the New York Times have held a half-day strike to protest against a return to the office mandate, that could see managers check badge swipe data to identify unauthorised working from home.

The tech workers went on strike on Monday, in protest at a required three days a week in the office with a potential increase to four days a week in September 2024.

The strike was organised by the Times’ Tech Guild which represents nearly 700 software engineers, data analysts, project managers, product managers and designers, according to the Axios website.

In a sign of the times, some 500 workers were expected to protest both in person and remotely. A rally would be followed by an afternoon of picketing around the Times building, while remote workers would sign off at 1pm to take part in a digital rally and a picket on Zoom.

The New York Times reached an agreement with the union that represents most of its newsroom in May but has yet to reach a deal over working hours and conditions with its tech workers’ union.

Writing on LinkedIn, Rob Sadow, CEO of hybrid work software company Scoop, said media and entertainment are among the most flexible industries, with 92% of media companies offering work location flexibility and a significant portion giving full flexibility to employees on whether to come into the office. Beyond that, the only industry more flexible than media is tech where 97% of tech firms offer work location flexibility and a significant portion of those give full flexibility. In addition, New York is the sixth most flexible state in the US with regard to work location.

“In summary, the New York Times is choosing to be less flexible than the average media company, which is less flexible than the average tech company, with the potential to become even less flexible in 2024. That’s a tough sell to their tech employees,” he said.