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Guild: Tentative Pacts at Boston Globe, Dow Jones
After a 3 1/2 -year struggle, TNG-CWA members at the Boston Globe have a tentative contract that reduces workers' share of health care costs and provides the highest wage increase since 1996, as well as full retroactive pay increases.
A tentative pact has also been reached for Wall Street Journal and other members of CWA Local 1096 at Dow Jones whose contract expired a year ago.
Members of Local 31245 in Boston turned to the public for help, exposing the company's anti-union tactics at a Boston Jobs with Justice Workers' Rights Board hearing earlier this year. Nearly a dozen witnesses testified to the Globe's stonewalling tactics and its attempt to intimidate union members.
The Globe, owned by the hugely profitable New York Times Co., was demanding to cut jobs, subcontract all non-editorial work and ignore seniority in the event of layoffs. "The Globe has refused to contribute its fair share to the health care fund, holding workers' health care hostage unless we give in to these demands," local President Steve Richards said.
Controlling members' health care costs, which have more than doubled in three years, was one of the local's primary goals. Under the agreement, Globe contributions to the parties' Taft-Hartley Health Fund will significantly lower members' weekly payroll deductions. Exact figures are still being worked out, but full-time workers with family health and dental coverage can expect a reduction of about $45 to $50 per week, the local said.
If ratified, the Globe contract will run through the end of 2005. Wages for full-time workers will rise by $24.50 per week next year, split between raises in January and July. Retroactive increases of $20 a week for 2003 and $21 a week for 2004 would be paid about six weeks after ratification.
Dow Jones employees, members of the Independent Association of Publishers' Employees, TNG-CWA Local 1096, have reached a tentative agreement for a new 45-month contract that would be effective through January 31, 2007.
The pact includes a wage increase retroactive to February of 2.5 percent, with future increases of 3.25 percent in February 2005 and 3.5 percent the following February. In addition, full-time workers hired before the previous agreement expired April 30, 2003, will get a $1,000 lump-sum payment shortly after ratification, another payment of $750 in December and a third payment of $250 in 2005. Regular part-time employees will receive $600, $450 and $150, respectively.
Workers will have a choice of health care plans, with enhanced medical coverage for spouses and children. In-network services under the PPO plan will be less costly for employees than services under the former indemnity plan. The new agreement also includes improved job security provisions.
A tentative pact has also been reached for Wall Street Journal and other members of CWA Local 1096 at Dow Jones whose contract expired a year ago.
Members of Local 31245 in Boston turned to the public for help, exposing the company's anti-union tactics at a Boston Jobs with Justice Workers' Rights Board hearing earlier this year. Nearly a dozen witnesses testified to the Globe's stonewalling tactics and its attempt to intimidate union members.
The Globe, owned by the hugely profitable New York Times Co., was demanding to cut jobs, subcontract all non-editorial work and ignore seniority in the event of layoffs. "The Globe has refused to contribute its fair share to the health care fund, holding workers' health care hostage unless we give in to these demands," local President Steve Richards said.
Controlling members' health care costs, which have more than doubled in three years, was one of the local's primary goals. Under the agreement, Globe contributions to the parties' Taft-Hartley Health Fund will significantly lower members' weekly payroll deductions. Exact figures are still being worked out, but full-time workers with family health and dental coverage can expect a reduction of about $45 to $50 per week, the local said.
If ratified, the Globe contract will run through the end of 2005. Wages for full-time workers will rise by $24.50 per week next year, split between raises in January and July. Retroactive increases of $20 a week for 2003 and $21 a week for 2004 would be paid about six weeks after ratification.
Dow Jones employees, members of the Independent Association of Publishers' Employees, TNG-CWA Local 1096, have reached a tentative agreement for a new 45-month contract that would be effective through January 31, 2007.
The pact includes a wage increase retroactive to February of 2.5 percent, with future increases of 3.25 percent in February 2005 and 3.5 percent the following February. In addition, full-time workers hired before the previous agreement expired April 30, 2003, will get a $1,000 lump-sum payment shortly after ratification, another payment of $750 in December and a third payment of $250 in 2005. Regular part-time employees will receive $600, $450 and $150, respectively.
Workers will have a choice of health care plans, with enhanced medical coverage for spouses and children. In-network services under the PPO plan will be less costly for employees than services under the former indemnity plan. The new agreement also includes improved job security provisions.