ISSUES

company

guild

HEALTH INSURANCE

Despite ongoing negotiations, the company imposed 3 new plans in 2000, hiking premiums, drug costs and other fees. It changed premium co-pay formula.

Retain Blue Cross, with several Blue Cross options added to three company imposed. Union has agreed to new premium co-pay formula

DENTAL INSURANCE

In 2000, company imposed more costly dental plan, with fewer participating dentists.

Retain original Delta Dental plan.

COMPANY PENSION

Refuses to discuss retirement in current talks. Proposes late 2001 “re-opener” after rest of contract has been agreed to.

Company last July replaced combined Belo pension/ 401k retirement savings plans with enhanced “STAR” 401k for newly-hired non-Guild workers.

Members to have choice of original Belo pension plan or Journal pension, whichever pays more.

Belo pension –already offered other Journal workers – usually pays more than Journal plan.

401K RETIREMENT SAVINGS

Defer talks to 2001 “re-opener.”

Belo STAR plan enhancements for company contributions to plan would be added to the current Journal 401k plan.

PAY

3 % in 2001; 2002. No raise this year as punishment to the Guild for considering readers’ boycott.

4 % raises in 2000 and 2001; 5 % in 2002. Full retroactivity.

GRIEVANCES/ UNFAIR CHARGES

Drop most of 22 pending grievances; drop pending unfair labor practice charges.

Settle fairly or arbitrate 22 pending grievances; drop pending unfair labor practice charges.

PRE-PUBLISHING

Prohibit Guild from filing grievances about changes in working conditions.

Hike pay of Pre-pub Operators, to which it has been shifting work, but lower the pay of newly hired Specialists.

Permit enforcement of the contract when it is violated.

Hike pay of Operators; retain current rates for Specialists, who now earn more than Operators.

ADVERTISING INCENTIVES

Company to continue sole control of incentive program, which now is considered unfair by many in the ad department.

A joint Guild-company committee would oversee the incentive program.

PARKING

“Free’’ parking or bus service. Benefit not in contract. Company could change at will.

Parking in contract, with $6-a-day subsidies for part-timers.

HOLIDAYS

Elimination of one of 2 current personal days; already imposed.

Retain all 11 holidays.

VACATIONS

Increase from 3 to 5 years service needed to get 3^rd vacation week.

Increase from 3 to 5 years service needed to get 3^rd vacation week. Change would begin in 2002.