National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Regional Director John J. Walsh of the Second District Wednesday directed for a union election to be held for over 500 tech workers at The New York Times.

The NewsGuild of New York represents workers at media organizations, including writers, reporters, journalists, advertising employees, sales representatives, and security guards. It represents employees from a variety of companies, including Thomson Reuters, TIME Magazine, Scholastic, and People Magazine.

The NewsGuild of New York, Local 31003, filed a petition on August 2, 2021, to represent approximately 566 tech workers of The New York Times. The union sought a bargaining unit including “all full-time and regular part-time engineers, analysts, designers, project managers, product managers, and assistants” who worked for The New York Times’ websites and mobile applications, regardless of location within the US.

Between August 23 and September 2, 2021, the union and the company presented evidence and submitted their viewpoints to an NLRB Hearing Board Officer. The hearing was held via teleconference because of the pandemic. The parties also submitted post-hearing briefs.

After considering these materials, Regional Director Walsh found that the petitioned-for unit was appropriate and directed an election to be held. All engineers, analysts, designers, program/project managers, and product managers who work for The New York Times’ websites and mobile applications will be included in the unit.

The election, which will be conducted by mail, will begin on January 24. NLRB Region 2 will mail ballots on January 24, and voters must return their ballots so that Region 2 receives them by close of business on February 14.