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Years of Solidarity Yield New Pact for Guild Members at Boston Globe
After a 3 1/2-year struggle, TNG-CWA members at the Boston Globe overwhelmingly approved a contract Aug. 5 that significantly reduces workers' share of health care costs and provides the highest flat-dollar wage increase since 1996, as well as full retroactive pay increases. The vote was 578-90.
Members of Local 31245 turned to the public for help when management wouldn't budge, exposing the company's anti-union tactics at a Massachusetts 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 hearing and radio spots CWA produced before and afterwards made a difference, Local President Steve Richards said. "Bringing the issues out to the public and shining some light on them was something that clearly made the Globe bristle," he said. "I think that helped push them in the right direction in terms of making some significant movement at the bargaining table."
The Globe, owned by hugely profitable New York Times Co., was demanding to cut jobs, subcontract all non-editorial work and ignore seniority in the event of layoffs, and had refused to budge on health care.
Controlling members' health care costs, which have
more than doubled in three years, was one of the local's primary goals. Under the agreement, higher Globe contributions to the parties' Taft-Hartley health plan 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 Globe contract runs through the end of 2005, covering 1,150 workers in news, editorial, circulation and other departments. 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.
Richards said members' solidarity was vital to reaching agreement. "Our membership remained strong throughout the entire process, three and a half years," he said. "We couldn't have done it without their solid support."
Members of Local 31245 turned to the public for help when management wouldn't budge, exposing the company's anti-union tactics at a Massachusetts 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 hearing and radio spots CWA produced before and afterwards made a difference, Local President Steve Richards said. "Bringing the issues out to the public and shining some light on them was something that clearly made the Globe bristle," he said. "I think that helped push them in the right direction in terms of making some significant movement at the bargaining table."
The Globe, owned by hugely profitable New York Times Co., was demanding to cut jobs, subcontract all non-editorial work and ignore seniority in the event of layoffs, and had refused to budge on health care.
Controlling members' health care costs, which have
more than doubled in three years, was one of the local's primary goals. Under the agreement, higher Globe contributions to the parties' Taft-Hartley health plan 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 Globe contract runs through the end of 2005, covering 1,150 workers in news, editorial, circulation and other departments. 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.
Richards said members' solidarity was vital to reaching agreement. "Our membership remained strong throughout the entire process, three and a half years," he said. "We couldn't have done it without their solid support."