York Newspaper Workers Win Sweeping Victory; Company Settles All Unfair Labor Practice Charges

For More Information: Carrie Biggs-Adams, The Newspaper Guild-CWA, 202-415-1147

York, Pa. -- In a settlement with MediaNews Group, newspaper employees at the York (Pa.) Daily Record and York Dispatch Sunday News have prevailed on every unfair labor practice charge filed by the York Newspaper Guild-CWA Local 38218 with the National Labor Relations Board.

The NLRB's Region 5 consolidated charges into two formal complaints against the company and scheduled a trial for Oct. 31. Rather than proceed to trial, MediaNews Group agreed to a settlement with the TNG-CWA local. The company didn't admit guilt but agreed to change its behavior with regard to every charge filed.

In this settlement, the NLRB came down squarely on the side of working people and collective bargaining, TNG-CWA President Linda Foley said. "The NLRB Regional office in Baltimore issued two strong complaints and then got MediaNews to understand it needed to reach a settlement. Now it's time for MediaNews to bargain in good faith and reach a contract."

The settlement reinstates journalists' bylines and photo credits, which the company was withholding to try to force workers to accept management's contract terms. It also allows employees to again wear T-shirts and buttons supporting the union and permits union negotiators to take unpaid leave for bargaining sessions. Union members who were forced to take vacation or other leave time to attend bargaining sessions will have all of the days restored or be given compensatory time off.

Further, the company said it "will not refuse to bargain in good faith," "will not fail to arbitrate grievances," and "will rescind all rules and policies that prohibit employees from discussing matters related to the union" during work hours.

Bargaining has been underway in York for more than a year. The workers' contract expired Sept. 30, 2005. About 55 workers at the York Daily Record are represented by The Newspaper-Guild-CWA, as well as nine workers in a second bargaining unit at the York Sunday News.

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