Globe's Rank-and-File Will Take Pay Cuts—if Execs Do

Management, unions sit down

By Drew Nelles, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 5, 2009 3:34 PM CDT

(Newser) – Unionized Boston Globe employees say they’re willing to make sacrifices to save their foundering newspaper—but only if executives and managers do the same, the Globe reports. “If management is willing to lead us, to take pay cuts and concessions, I'm sure the union would be willing,” a mailer says. The New York Times Co. has threatened to close the Globe unless its unions make $20 million in concessions.

Executives will meet with the paper’s 13 unions—which represent 1400 employees—this week, and one union leader says concessions must be made within a month. The Globe is projected to lose $85 million this year alone. “We'll give back, but they've got to give back their bonuses and take pay cuts,” a machinist says.

[Images (2)]

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A lamp at the entrance to the old New York Times building is shown. The New York Times Co. has threatened to close the money-losing Boston Globe. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, file)

People walk into the main entrance of The Boston Globe newspaper. Employees say they're willing to take pay cuts to keep the paper alive. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

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Last week I was worrying about me, but now it's not just my job, but this great paper. I've been reading it since I was a little girl, and I always wanted to work for the Globe. - business reporter Jenifer McKim

We never thought we'd have to worry about the demise of the newspaper. We've given up so much. I think I can give a little more. - mailer James McLaughlin

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Globe's Rank-and-File Will Take Pay Cuts—if Execs Do