At a recent gathering outside New York’s City Hall, the Daily News Union and an array of labor and public officials were sharply critical of the company and its leaders amid ongoing efforts to negotiate a first contract. The picture painted that day was full of unfounded and inaccurate accusations.
To be clear, we support the right of all to protest and speak out, rights guaranteed by the same constitutional amendment that forms the backbone of what we do every day. We also are committed to delivering a fair and equitable contract to our hard-working employees.
But for the last several months, the Daily News has made good faith efforts to speed up negotiations and bring the Guild to the table to move these talks toward a conclusion. The Guild has let down its members by rebuffing us at every turn.
Starting in May, we offered a total of about 35 bargaining sessions. The union, part of the NewsGuild of New York, has agreed to six. For June, we offered about 13 dates and times; the Guild accepted three. The company contacted the Guild on July 7 and suggested an additional 13 bargaining dates. We’ve had no response.
We have offered to pay members of the bargaining committee for their time.
We’ve offered to meet in person or remotely.
We’ve offered full-day and part-day sessions.
We’ve even offered to bring in a mediator.
The Guild has rejected our efforts to step up the pace or has failed to respond.
Good faith demands actually sitting down and bargaining. For reasons that remain unclear, the Guild has shown little interest in doing so, choosing instead to post fliers and stage protests. The accusations of bad faith are not only perplexing but inaccurate.
To summarize, briefly, where things stand:
Both sides have reached tentative agreements on about 30 articles, including key topics such as health care, remote work, hours and overtime, a just-cause disciplinary standard, a grievance and binding arbitration procedure and editorial integrity.
Faced with a lack of Guild engagement, the company on June 30 took a significant step to move toward a resolution of the remaining issues. The company offered a comprehensive package responding to every key open subject, moving far closer toward the Guild’s position on a number of key priorities, including:
- A higher wage increase, including a wage increase shortly after contract ratification.
- Maintaining the flexible time off for current salaried employees.
- A continued 401(k) retirement match for current employees.
- A cap on the ratio of part-time employees.
- “Union security” language.
Again, we’ve had no response from the Guild.
It is not clear why the Guild continues refusing to meet more often. We have differences, for sure, but collective bargaining doesn’t work when only one side is ready to bargain. What is clear from the facts is that claims of bad faith on the company’s part are simply not accurate.
Despite the invective and hyperbole the Guild continues to inject into the process, which have included gratuitous and nasty personal attacks, the Daily News stands ready to sit down as often as necessary and as long as necessary.
If the Guild really wants a contract for its members, it’s time to come to the table.
— The Daily News
