NYT to Cut Press Jobs

[UpInArms]

http://www.gammag.com/egam/09_15_2004/318.html

The New York Times reported on Monday that it has reached an agreement with the New York Newspaper Printing Pressman's Union No. 2 to significantly reduce staffing under the terms of a new contract extending through March 2017. The agreement, covering pressmen employed at the Times's two printing facilities in Edison, N.J. and Flushing, N.Y., reduces staffing by nearly 50%. The staff reduction will be conducted in two phases, with a large reduction effective immediately, accompanied by a voluntary separation incentive program.

The agreement also limits wage increases over the life of the contract to an annual average rate of 2.3%, changes hiring practices to permit greater workforce diversity, increases operational flexibilities, and provides pressmen with bonuses and increased contributions toward health care, says the newspaper.

...more...

press release link here: http://www.corporate-ir.net/ireye/ir_site.zhtml?ticker=NYT&script=411&layout=-6&item_id=613480

[Career Prole]

1. 50% staff cut and a twelve-year contract limiting wage increases to

2.3% annually? And the union's president calls it a "superior" and "fair" agreement? Bullshit. Any twelve-year contract is bullshit, but one limiting wage increases to 2.3 % for that long a period especially so.