Reuters journalists ratify new contract

Unionized journalists and media employees at the Thomson Reuters unit of the NewsGuild of New York have overwhelmingly voted to approve a new contract with Thomson Reuters.

The new agreement, which remains in effect through December 2020, comes after three years of intense negotiations with management. During that time Guild members worked without the benefit of a contract, though the terms and conditions of the previous agreement remained in effect.

Negotiations for this contract began in July 2014.

Every Guild member will receive a minimum increase of 2.25 percent for 2018, with the first 1 percent effective Jan. 1, 2018. Additionally, members will receive a guaranteed 2 percent general wage increase in subsequent years of the contract — a significant raise compared to management’s initial zero percent offer — along with the company’s annual distribution of discretionary pay increases.

“Though this was a very difficult process, I’m pleased with the end result,” said Dan Grebler, unit chair and Reuters desk editor, in a statement. “We were able to move management from no guaranteed wage increases to three years of guaranteed wage increases. We insisted throughout this fight that ‘we’re worth more,’ and this contract reflects management’s recognition of that.”

The Guild was also able to expand and strengthen its parental leave package for union members. Now, Guild-covered Reuters employees will receive 12 weeks of paid parental leave as compared to six weeks in the previous contract.

The deal also preserves the union’s robust health care plan.

Additionally, Guild-represented journalists at Reuters will now be fairly compensated with extra pay for shifts and hours that extend beyond the normal work week including being on standby, as well as for overnight and weekend shifts.