Newsday Reaches Union Settlement
10 January 2006 - 7:11AM
PR Newswire (US)
LONG ISLAND, N.Y., Jan. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Newsday's six
collective bargaining units have voted to accept agreements
negotiated by representatives of Newsday and the Graphic
Communications Conference/International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Local 406. The bargaining units include editorial, building
services, platemaking, pressroom, pre-press and transportation and
cover approximately two thirds of Newsday's employees. The
agreements replace 10-year contracts due to expire in the next six
months. Following around-the-clock negotiations last week, the
union's membership ratified the final agreements yesterday. The new
agreements are retroactive to January 1, 2006 and will expire in
2010. Key elements of the new agreements include: -- 4-year
contract terms -- no base-wage increase in January 2006 -- 2%
annual pay increases each year for 2007 - 2009, and .5% lump-sum
payments in 2007 and 2008 -- an increase in employee healthcare
contributions beginning in 2007 -- workforce reduction of
approximately 65 employees in pressroom and transportation areas,
and severance payments for affected employees -- replacement of the
current pension plan with a defined contribution plan --
outsourcing of single copy delivery in Queens -- lump-sum payments
for contract-related savings, including severance payments for
affected employees Newsday Publisher Tim Knight noted, "This marks
a successful conclusion of the bargaining process that started this
past August. We appreciate the union's commitment to constructive
bargaining. All parties demonstrated that they want Newsday to be
successful moving forward -- for readers, advertisers, the
communities we serve and, of course, our employees." Underscoring
the significance of concluding the bargaining process, Knight
added, "These agreements enable Newsday to turn an important
corner. The terms reflect the significant changes that have taken
place in our industry such as efficiencies brought about by
technology, better process management and rising health care costs.
Having negotiations behind us means we can focus on rebuilding this
great newspaper to serve its readers and advertisers with excellent
journalism, innovative high quality products, and a commitment to
the community." DATASOURCE: Newsday CONTACT: Deidra Parrish
Williams of Newsday, +1-631-843-3783,
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