Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


5

Globe Union to Vote on Pay Cut

Rejection could spark legal battle

Share

(Newser) – The Boston Globe’s biggest union votes today on whether to accept a $10 million cut to their wages and benefits, including an 8.4% pay cut, or to mount a legal fight with parent the New York Times Co., the Boston Herald reports. If the contract is rejected, the Globe has threatened to slice pay 23%. But with the drivers’ union having reached a new contract, the paper won’t close, said a spokesman.

“Unless we achieve $10 million in savings from the Guild, the savings already ratified by the other unions will not take effect,” said the Globe spokesman. Some members of the Boston Newspaper Guild, including its president, don’t like the proposal. If it's voted down, “there may be legal options to try to impede what the company is apparently trying to do,” says a labor lawyer, potentially sending the parties back to the drawing board.

Dorothy Clark, a copy editor for The Boston Globe, speaks with reporters as she departs a Boston Newspaper Guild meeting, in Boston, Thursday, May 7, 2009.
Dorothy Clark, a copy editor for The Boston Globe, speaks with reporters as she departs a Boston Newspaper Guild meeting, in Boston, Thursday, May 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Daniel Totten, president of the Boston Newspaper Guild, The Boston Globe's biggest union, arrives at a meeting of the union, in Boston, Thursday, May 7, 2009.
Daniel Totten, president of the Boston Newspaper Guild, The Boston Globe's biggest union, arrives at a meeting of the union, in Boston, Thursday, May 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
The facade of The Boston Globe building is seen in Boston in this Thursday, April 30, 2009 file photo.
The facade of The Boston Globe building is seen in Boston in this Thursday, April 30, 2009 file photo.   (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
5 comments
VIEWING:
 
Reader2795
Jun 8, 09 11:46 AM CDT
With labor now participating in reduction of wages, why are we not seeing an offset to industries reducing prices on consumer goods. REASON: more profit to the big industries including the financials. Now once again the individual in bent over and given a ________. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
-1
tameesha_sharpton
Jun 8, 09 11:53 AM CDT
i hope the guild members fully understand the consequences of rejecting managements final offer. this deal won't get sweetened and a pay cut is always better than a job cut. the guild has no leverage or options. the days of union demands are gone and these knuckle-headed members don't seem to have gotten the memo. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
NewserHound
Jun 8, 09 12:06 PM CDT
Unions are sucking the last of the lifeblood left in this country. Are all unions purposes to suck as much $$ out of the system while protecting lazy and dishonest employees? Unions are a detriment to society, much like socialism. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
-1
IN RESPONSE:
Robert_Dada
Jun 8, 09 3:23 PM CDT
Unions have little to do with the demise of newspapers. During the 90's, newspaper conglomerates (and by extension, their shareholders) were enjoying 30+ percent returns but decided to siphon off these profits for personal wealth as opposed to reinvesting in the business and technology model, which was about to rapidly change due to the web. Once again, rich management fat cats shot themselves in the foot, but it's the average union worker who is bearing the burden of this disasterous business strategy.
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
IN RESPONSE:
SPH
Jun 8, 09 5:58 PM CDT
Unions built the middle class and have ever right to exist...Unless, of course, like newshound and t_sharpton you do not approve of even small scale democracy....PS please for everyone's sack, proof read your posts or, better yet, learn the English language....
Vote up! Vote down!
0
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

22 Stories

 Times Co. Takes 
 Globe Off Market 

Boston paper's finances have 'significantly improved'

Oct 14, 09 6:14 PM CDT
(Newser) - The New York Times Company has decided not to sell the Boston Globe after all, its chairman told workers in a late-afternoon email today, saying that the financial picture has “significantly improved” for the 137-year-old newspaper in recent months after various cost-cutting and revenue-boosting moves. Two groups did bid... More »

MORE ABOUT:
American media • New York Times Company • bid • Boston Globe • print journalism • newspaper industry

(Newser) - The Boston Globe's biggest union has ended a four-month battle with the New York Times company and voted to accept $10 million in pay and benefit cuts, the Boston Herald reports. Union members—who have been living with a 23% pay cut since rejecting an 8.3% decrease last month—... More »

MORE ABOUT:
newspaper • union • New York Times Company • Boston Globe • newspaper industry • pay cut • Boston Newspaper Guild

analysis

 What's the Globe Really Worth? 

Some say Times Co. should pay to dump it

Jun 15, 09 11:37 AM CDT
(Newser) - With the New York Times Co. said to be looking for a Boston Globe buyer, David Carr polled experts to see what the paper might be worth—a question, he writes in the Times, that reaches beyond the Globe itself as the newspaper industry struggles. Carr got quite a range... More »

MORE ABOUT:
New York Times Company • David Carr • Boston Globe • sale • newspaper industry

22 Stories


The Globe on the vote
Boston Globe


Media  •  Business 
TwitterFollow @NewserMedia on Twitter

 
wages • union • New York Times Company • contract • Boston Globe • benefits • Boston Newspaper Guild

from our news partners