May 3
The Guild presented the company with a revised contract proposal Wednesday (May 3) that calls for Guild participation in the new Belo 401(k) program. The proposal also reduces the number of points of disagreement between the Company and the Guild.

March 17
The Guild met with the company for about an hour Friday (Mar. 17) in off-the-record discussions facilitated by Federal Mediator Paul Chabot. No proposals were exchanged. During the meeting the Guild learned details of changes planned by the Belo Corporation in its pension and 401k plans. The changes have not been offered to the Guild.

January 24
The Journal presented a "Last, Best and Final" contract offer Monday (Jan. 24), which was more notable for what it does not have, rather than what it does.

January 21
The Journal increased its wage offer Friday (Jan. 21) but made its proposal conditional on the Guild dropping 19 pending grievances (all but two of the currently active cases) plus all unfair labor practice charges.

January 17
Negotiators were joined by Federal Mediator Paul Chabot Monday (Jan. 17). Chabot met privately with the Guild and company spokesmen in an effort to facilitate movement. There was none.

January 11
Negotiators were joined by Federal Mediator Paul Chabot Tuesday (Jan. 11). The Guild and the company detailed their positions to Chabot. Several brief off-the-record discussions were conducted between the chief negotiators for the Guild and the company with Chabot facilitating..

December 29
The company again demonstrated its intransigence Wednesday (Dec. 29) by agreeing to a meager 47-cent per day increase in the minimum small grid payment. This was the company's sole response to over 20 changes to the Guild proposal made Tuesday by your bargaining team. The Guild then requested the intervention of a federal mediator to keep negotiations on track. Major issues unaddressed by the company are pension and 401k improvements, and pre-publishing department problems.

December 28
The company announced Tuesday (Dec. 28) that as of Jan. 1 it will unilaterally implement a series of contract changes, including: eliminating parking; taking away one personal day; making employees wait an extra two years for a third week of vacation; increasing the costs of medical insurance; and making new hires wait an extra two months before becoming eligible for medical insurance.

December 22
Negotiations went nowhere Wednesday (Dec. 22) as the company made a proposal for restructuring the Pre-Publishing Department then, after five hours of discussion, withdrew it when the Guild said some provisions were unacceptable.

December 17
The negotiating room, packed with over a dozen spectators Friday (Dec 17), was silent except for the voice of Guild member Bettina Packard. Hands shaking, voice quivering, she related the details of a series of personal medical care crises she has faced in recent years. She concluded: "I couldn't wait to become a member of the Promotion department team. This further allowed me to become a Guild member and sign up for Classic Blue. With Classic Blue as my health care provider I have had peace of mind ever since. But now this is being taken way."

December 9
The company declared impasse on medical insurance plans Thursday (Dec. 9) and said it would impose three new health plans and a new dental plan. Your negotiating team called the company's actions illegal. The Guild's Executive Committee will review the situation at an emergency meeting set for Monday, Dec. 13. The company edict eliminates the Blue Cross plan and increases office visit and prescription co-pays in the United HealthCare HMO. The company will drop Delta Dental and switch coverage to Metropolitan.

December 2
Medical insurance topped the agenda as the Guild and company met Thursday (Dec. 2). The company agreed to have a December open enrollment and a second one when negotiations are concluded. No agreement was reached on what medical plans will be available. Under the company's proposal, the Guild has the choice of agreeing to three plans being offered (two United Healthcare and a CIGNA), or if no agreement is reached, to placing everyone in the existing United Healthcare HMO.

November 19
The Guild reviewed the Company's new parking and bus pass plan during negotiations Friday (Nov. 19). The Guild commended the Company for agreeing to the concept of free parking and access to bus transportation, which has been proposed many times by the Guild over the past ten years. However, your bargaining committee expressed reservations regarding the loopholes in the Company offer. In a letter to the Guild delivered Thursday afternoon, the Company stated, "This free parking and bus service would be on a non-contractual basis and may be changed or eliminated by the Company."

November 12
The Company presented the Guild with its initial proposal Friday (Nov. 12). It is most notable for what is absent or deleted from the current contract: * Medical cost caps * 401k & Pension improvements * Parking * IE benefits.

November 5
The Guild and the Journal reached tentative agreements on five issues Friday (Nov. 5) on mostly "housekeeping" items, dealing with the elimination of obsolete language. Partial agreements were reached in several other areas. The Guild also detailed and explained proposals related to part-time and irregular extra benefits. The Company said it would review these issues.

October 28
The Guild and the Journal began work on Contract 2000 Thursday. During the two-hour meeting, your negotiating committee presented its initial proposal to the company. During introductory remarks, both sides expressed a desire to build and improve their relationship.

Guild proposals.

Company proposals.

Tentative Agreements