Monday, February 25, 2013

Detroit | 1st pay raises since '08 in new union pact

The unions at Detroit's two daily newspapers ratified new, three-year contracts yesterday that will include a new health insurance plan and the first across-the-board raises since 2008.

The vote totals by the unionized staff at the Gannett-owned Detroit Free Press and MediaNews Group's Detroit News were not disclosed by the Newspaper Guild Local 34022, but they were "overwhelming" in favor of the new deal, Lou Mleczko, longtime president of the guild, told Crain's Detroit Business today.

The last contract ended three months ago, but both sides agreed to work under its terms until a new deal was reached.

7 comments:

  1. What no details? If the Guild isn't crowing it must cost members more for medical insurance and the pay increase can't be much. I wonder if there was a reduction in union dues?

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  2. First of all, this development is a good sign about the state of the Detroit Media Partnership. After years of sacrifice by management and workers, the company can afford to give its workers raises. Moreover, BOTH papers are guaranteed to be around for quite a while.
    As for the details of the contract, check out the Detroit Newspaper Guild website, which said the contract calls for 1 percent across-the-board raises each year for three years. The company also will give some employees merit raises. Moreover, the company (and by the way, I mean Gannett) agreed to what the union says is a better and lest costly health plan.
    Unlike many other large metropolitan areas, Detroit has two large newspapers. Congrats to everyone in Motown.

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    1. Please. Detroit has ONE paper out on any given day. The News doesn't even print on Sunday. Without the auto industry and government notices, all you have left is kindling for Devil's Night.

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  3. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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    Replies
    1. I was referring to home delivery. Poor choice of words on my part.

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    2. Jim I thought we don't use words like Troll or Lemming. Have you changed your mind about civility?

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    3. You are correct. I missed that one, and have now removed it.

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