Only days after a mini-walkout at the New York Times by members of the Newspaper Guild, the union and the company have suddenly agreed to bring in a mediator to help resolve their issues over wages, pensions and benefits.

The company agreed to a Guild offer only a day after it had canceled a negotiating session set for yesterday and walked out of a meeting after only 10 minutes.

Although the two sides are talking, they remain far apart on key issues.

The union softened its stance somewhat, but is still looking for a 3.75 percent retroactive pay hike for 2012.

The New York Times Co. is proposing a 1 percent hike.

Martin Scheinman, a veteran mediator, has been hired for the talks. The union mobilization committee has canceled its plans for another protest this afternoon.