Negotiations Update May 21 and 22

The Guild and company met May 21 and 22 for negotiations for the Portland unit contract. The Guild made package proposals that involved Article XXV, insured benefits, Article IX, outside activities, Article IV, exempt employees and Article XVI, promotions, job changes and transfers, Article XXII, expenses. The company rejected both proposals without countering, and the Guild ended up withdrawing both proposals. In addition, the parties had extensive discussions on the side letters and Article III, jurisdiction.

The Guild and Company have agreed to three more bargaining dates next week. The dates are May 30, 31 and June 1. All dates start at 10 a.m. The May 30 and 31 and June 1 meetings will be at the Sheraton in South Portland. Members are encouraged to come and observe if they have an opportunity.

Here is a more in-depth look at the Guild package proposals and discussions held during the May 21 and 22 sessions around the Articles:

In package proposal 1, the Guild proposed under Article XXV increasing life insurance to one year's pay for employees with less than 10 years experience and $100,000 for members with over 10 years experience. The Guild also incorporated the company's proposal around health insurance, which is essentially the current interim agreement between the parties, into the proposal with some caveats. The company had proposed a 90-day waiting period for insurance to begin. The Guild proposal maintains the current 30 days. The Guild proposal extends the current 80-20 premium split through the expiration of the contract and that Guild members not pay more in premiums than non-represented employees. The Guild has also proposed an extension of the minimum amount the employer can pay per year from the current 2006 Publisher's share to the higher of 2006 or the current previous year's figures. The company would have the right within those limitations to change plan designs. In addition, the Guild proposed raising the flex spend contribution to the federal maximum, extending the flex spend until 90 days into the next year for reimbursement and continuation of $300 a year company contribution into the flex spend account for each employee participating in the company's health insurance plan. The Guild also proposed the company's language of giving the company control of the dental plan design as long as it's the same plan as non-represented employees get, which is the same standard as the health insurance plan. The Guild also proposed that Article IX remain the current language and proposed in Article IV that the Washington Correspondent, Customer Service Supervisor, Home Delivery Area Manager, Consumer Marketing Manager and Systems Editor be removed from the exempt employees' list.

In package proposal 2, the Guild proposed the continuation of current language for current employees in Article XVI, but proposed the company concept that new hires would be subject to unilateral transfer within 40 miles of Portland and to and from the Augusta State House. The Guild proposed in Article XXII the IRS standard mileage rate for reimbursement and an additional $25 stipend for employees who perform stop-and-go driving delivering newspapers. The Guild also proposed status quo on the current Sections 4 and 5.

Side letters:

• The Guild has proposed eliminating "Letter of Understanding RE: New Business Ventures" to be consistent with its jurisdiction proposal. The company has proposed the letter remain.
• The Guild has proposed eliminating "Letter of Understanding Re: Online Products" to be consistent with its jurisdiction proposal. The company has proposed the letter remain.
• Both sides have proposed no change to the "Supplemental Agreement Re: Summer Interns."
• The Guild has proposed eliminating "Memorandum of Agreement Between Portland Press Herald and the Portland Newspaper Guild Local 128 Re: Guild Employees Who Perform Duties of Exempt Employees" in recognition of its proposal in the body of the contract to pay employees 15% above grade for such work. The company has proposed extending the current letter to other exempt classifications at the rate of $35 per week.
• Neither side has made a proposal around the pension contribution letter for certain employees hired before 1984.
• The Guild has proposed eliminating "Memorandum of Agreement Between Portland Press Herald and the Portland Newspaper Guild, Local 128 Re: Extra Edition Editor Rate of Pay" with the understanding that copy desk slot is paid. The company has proposed no changes.
• The Guild has proposed no changes to the "Letter of Understanding Belo Agreement." The company has proposed eliminating the letter.
• The Guild and company have both proposed eliminating "Letter of Understanding Re: Advertising Commission Plan." The Guild intents to make a proposal. The company has proposed outside sales people go to key rate with the commission plan determined by the Publisher.
• The Guild and company have both proposed no changes to "Memorandum of Understanding Re: Commission Only Salespeople."
• The Guild and company have both proposed eliminating "Memorandum of Agreement Between Portland Press Herald and The Portland Newspaper Guild, Local 128 Re: City District Managers and Circulation Utility Persons Hours and Overtime."
• The Guild has proposed eliminating "Side Agreement Re: Company Cars." The company has proposed no changes.
• The Guild and the company have both proposed no changes to "Letter of Understanding Distribution Specialists."
• The Guild has proposed no changes to "Memorandum of Agreement Re: Assignment of Additional Work to Distribution Assistants." The company has proposed eliminating it.
• The Guild and company have proposed no changes to "Memorandum of Understanding Re: Distribution Center."
• The Guild has proposed eliminating "Memorandum of Understanding Re: Columnist Position." The company has proposed no changes.
• The Guild has proposed no changes to "Appendix A Re: CWA Guaranteed Job Holders as of November 30, 2001." The company has proposed eliminating the letter but moving the names into the body of the contract.
• The Guild has proposed no changes to "Vacant Classifications Portland Newspaper Guild." The company has proposed eliminating it.

The company also made a proposal to merge the current pension plan with the Walla Walla plan. This is in addition to the previous soft freeze proposal.

If you have any questions, concerns, want to see the proposals or attend a negotiating session, please contact a bargaining team member or the Guild office at cbetit@local128.org or 772-1202.