Play Games By NY Tech Guild: Support The Strike!

Katelynn Turcotte 08 May 2025

Can a digital picket line truly disrupt the entertainment empire of a media giant? The recent strike by the New York Times Tech Guild, and the subsequent call for a boycott of the publication's games and apps, suggests a resounding yes.

The New York Times Tech Guild, representing over 600 workers including software engineers, data analysts, and designers, initiated a strike on November 4th, 2024, in response to stalled contract negotiations and alleged unfair labor practices by management. Their demands centered on securing a fair and equitable workplace, encompassing better pay, working conditions, and protections for their work. To amplify their message and exert pressure on the company, the guild took a multi-pronged approach, including a direct appeal to the public.

Central to their strategy was a request for the New York Times' readers and subscribers to participate in a digital boycott. The guild specifically urged people to refrain from playing popular games like Wordle and Connections, along with avoiding the New York Times Cooking app. This move was designed to impact the company's revenue streams and demonstrate the significant contribution of the striking workers to the Times' digital products.

To counter the potential void left by the absence of the Times' games, the tech guild established a dedicated webpage: "Guild Builds." This page features a collection of original games and recipes created by the striking workers and their supporters. The games, including "Strikle," "Connections Strike Edition," "Word Search," "Match Strike," and "Frogger 8th Avenue," provide an alternative form of entertainment while simultaneously supporting the guild's cause. This innovative approach aimed to engage the public and provide a tangible way for individuals to show solidarity with the striking workers.

This act of collective action highlighted the integral role that the tech workers play in powering the digital platform of the New York Times. From the development of games like the Daily Crossword to the management of the Times' apps and websites, these employees are the architects of the online experience that millions of readers engage with daily. The strike underscored the essential nature of their contributions, and the impact their absence could have on the company's operations.

The strike, occurring just before the busy election day news period, also raised questions about potential disruptions to the Times' election coverage. With the tech workers responsible for the technology that supports the website and apps, there was a concern that the work stoppage could impact the publication's ability to deliver timely and accurate election information.

The Guild Builds page stands as a testament to the creativity and resilience of the striking workers. It provides a way for the public to engage with the issue, show their support, and find alternative entertainment while the strike continues. The fact that the guild members themselves created the games and content underscores their dedication to their cause and their ability to innovate, even in the face of adversity.

The impact of this strike is far-reaching, not only influencing the internal workings of the New York Times, but also affecting the news industry as a whole. The actions of the New York Times Tech Guild serve as a powerful example of how collective action can make a difference in the face of corporate opposition. This case further highlights the power of digital mobilization, creative resistance and the importance of protecting worker rights in the evolving media landscape.

Below is a table summarizing key details of the New York Times Tech Guild strike:

Category	Details
Participants	Over 600 tech workers, including software engineers, data analysts, and designers.
Union	New York Times Tech Guild
Date of Strike	November 4, 2024
Key Issues	Stalled contract negotiations, alleged unfair labor practices, demands for a fair and equitable workplace.
Actions Taken	Digital boycott of NYT games and Cooking app, creation of "Guild Builds" page with alternative games and recipes.
Games Featured on Guild Builds	Strikle, Connections Strike Edition, Word Search, Match Strike, Frogger 8th Avenue
Impact on NYT	Potential impact on revenue, disruption to election coverage, heightened awareness of tech workers' contributions.
Goal	Secure a fair contract and equitable workplace.
Supporting Actions	Asking the readers and subscribers to break their wordle streaks.
Supporter's actions	Boycotting nyt games and nyt cooking app.

Additional Context:

The New York Times Tech Guild authorized a strike in September before finally going on strike in November, a decision that was met with a clear message from members.

The strike reflects a growing trend in the tech and media industries, where workers are increasingly organizing to demand better working conditions and a greater say in the direction of their companies. These workers are the ones that shape the digital future.

This event showcases the power of collective action and the importance of solidarity in advocating for worker rights. It demonstrates how technology workers, often working behind the scenes, play a crucial role in the success of major media companies, and can strategically leverage their position to affect change.

Jenny Vrentas, a New York Times journalist, also covered the story.

The sports illustrated union's contract created a more equitable pay structure, protecting work and improving the company's. The tech workers of the new york times have formed a new unit in an effort to build a fair and equitable workplace.

The tech guild is asking the readers to honor the digital picket line and not play popular nyt games such as wordle and connections. They are also asking readers to not use the nyt cooking app.