Guild Reaches Hard-Won Tentative Agreements at AP, Reuters

Lunzer: Solidarity Made All the Difference in Contract Fights

After extremely tough contract battles, TNG-CWA units at Thomson Reuters and The Associated Press have reached tentative agreements that stave off the companies' worst demands and provide some wage and other improvements for Guild members.

"In both cases the companies set out to do real damage to the Guild contracts," TNG-CWA President Bernie Lunzer said. "The units had stiff resolve and became stronger. While some concessions were made, the units reached good agreements in both cases -- proof that unity makes a huge difference."

Informational pickets and rallies in Washington D.C., pictured, and many other cities nationwide helped TNG-CWA members at AP and Reuters reach tentative contract agreements after long and difficult negotiations. Photos by Adam Wright/Union City

Solidarity among Local 31003's 400 members at Thomson Reuters was so strong that even after the company stopped automatic dues deductions, Lunzer said "paid membership remained above 95 percent, an incredible accomplishment."

The tentative agreement at Thomson Reuters followed a 21-hour bargaining session that ended just hours before the NLRB was expected to issue a major complaint against the company. Management was facing charges of unlawfully declaring impasse in negotiations in January 2010, then unilaterally slashing workers' pay. Workers will share in a $7.6 million back-pay settlement if the agreement is ratified.

Thomson Reuters also faced NLRB charges for reprimanding a reporter for a Twitter post that said, in response to the company's own question, "One way to make this the best place to work is to deal honestly with Guild members."

The Guild has agreed to drop the charge if the contract is ratified, and Thomson Reuters has agreed to negotiate a new social media policy, one that protects employees' free speech.

A tentative agreement at AP improves on what the news service said was its final offer last month, threatening mass layoffs if the union didn't approve it. The proposal includes improvements in job security, wages and other areas. Although the company wouldn't budge on converting the workers' pension to a 401(k), the Guild held out for a stronger financial contribution from AP.

Mail ballots for the AP contract will be counted on May 27. An election date is pending for Thomson Reuters.

Photos by Adam Wright/Union City at www.dclabor.org.