Providence Newspaper Guild - Our Voice September 2004

OUR VOICE

The Newspaper Guild -- Worcester Unit

September 2004

"Final & Best" offer:

T&G Offers 2.25% Wage Increase

Leadership Calls on Members to Reject Offer

The T&G has proposed a 2.25-percent wage hike, in its "best and final" proposal that fails to address economic concerns raised by Guild members.

The Company rejected Guild proposals to eliminate inequities in the wage scales and also turned down a Guild request for payroll deduction of union dues.

The negotiating team and the Unit Council both voted to recommend that members reject the company offer. A membership vote has been scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 23, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Guild office in Worcester.

The proposed wage hike is the lowest amount offered to employees since the wage freeze of the early 1990's.

The proposals came during the third bargaining session of the contract wage reopener. The contract calls for the wage increase to be effective on Sept. 1.

Urging rejection of the offer, union leaders cited this year's rate of inflation, (up 3 percent in the past 12 months), the increase in medical costs and soaring gas prices, all of which have eroded employees' net income.

Under the company proposal, employees who have not reached the top of the wage scale will not receive an increase until their anniversary date. Once they reach the top step, annual increases will occur on Sept. 1 of each year.

In making its proposal, the Company rejected several proposals put forward by Guild negotiators:

The Guild is seeking to increase the wage scale for part-time employees from the current 80 percent of the full-time rate to 85 percent. The T&G has in recent years increased its utilization of part-timers. Because they are paid less than their full-time counterparts, the Company has an economic incentive to reduce its full-time work force.

The Guild has requested that the Company permit employees to pay union dues by payroll deduction. The T&G already permits payroll deduction of United Way contributions and actively encourages employees to utilize direct deposit of paychecks. Many Guild members have suggested that the company's objection to payroll deduction of dues is based on the management's dislike of unions.

Payroll deduction of dues (called dues checkoff) is found in virtually all union contracts, including those at the Boston Globe and the New York Times. It also cost the Company nothing.

Prior to the start of negotiations, Guild members identified reduced take-home pay as a major concern. Even though gross wage rates have kept pace with inflation, expenses such as medical insurance premiums and out of pocket co-pays have significantly eroded take-home pay. In addition, employees who use their vehicles for work have seen significant increases in the costs fueling and operating their cars.

Under the contract, wages cannot be reduced. In addition, Guild members are guaranteed they will get at least the same wage increased negotiated by the unions representing pressmen, the photo engravers and the composing room.

Company proposed wage increase is only applied to the scales

Example: An employee working in a wage classification with a top step of $500 per week, but who is paid $550 per week, would receive a weekly increase of $11.25. This is 2.25 percent of $500, but only 2.045 percent of $550.

There are about 90 full-time employees over the top step for their classification. They receive on average $50 over top step.

Discharge Grievance Resolved

A grievance over the firing of a clerk in the news department for "unprofessional conduct" has been resolved with the conversion of the discharge to a voluntary quit, and the implementation of written evaluations of probationary employees.

The Guild investigation of the discharge revealed that workers had reported numerous problems with the conduct and performance of the employee that upper management ignored or failed to document.

When the company finally decided to discharge the employee, the conduct cited included asking for weekends off, and accidentally clicking on a computer link that momentarily displayed the photo of a bare-chested woman.

By agreeing to written evaluations of probationary employees, the company is taking the steps necessary to avoid a recurrence of this situation.

The Grievance committee thanks the Guild members who provided information and assisted in the grievance investigation.