NY Guild reaches deal with Consumers Union

This is from the New York Newspaper Guild web site:

“In much swifter talks, a five-year settlement with Consumers Union has been ratified by the membership in a 143-3 vote. There were two abstentions.

“The CU agreement, which calls for 18.76% in compounded wage hikes, was wrapped up in 11 bargaining sessions spanning five months. It includes a 4% wage increase retroactive to January 1 of this year, 4% on January 1, 2007, 3.25% in 2008, 3.25% in 2009, and 3% in 2010.

“The new contract also features a reduction in the number of years required for job security from the current ten years to nine, beginning in 2008 and an improvement in medical coverage with the addition of well-child care for children up to and including grade 12. It had been previously cut off at age 2.

“The Guild fended off company proposals that could have doubled health-care costs to employees while dramatically reducing their benefits. In the end, the employee-contribution formula remained the same and the Guild agreed only to minor increases in the cost of out-of-network dental charges and small increases in prescription costs that don’t take effect for two years.”

Read the full release here, which also notes that the union has been holding meetings around the country regarding a new Reuters contract. (Click on “Guild News” to get the release.)