Slow progress in Dow Jones/union talks

The union representing business journalists at The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s and Marketwatch says that its negotiations with parent company Dow Jones & Co. on Wednesday showed some progress, with the company offering a “slightly raised” wage offer.

In an update posted on its web site, the Independent Association of Publishers’ Employees local 1096 stated, “Which brings us to the main point: The pressure we are putting on them is showing some results, and above all, we need to keep up the pressure.

“Reporter decisions to decline voluntary appearances on CNBC, videos, radio, etc., on top of everyone’s insistence on being paid premium pay for work on days off, your commitment to file for overtime— every time— and our expected presence at the Dow Jones annual meeting next Wednesday (11 a.m. at the American Express building at World Financial Center) all are having an impact.

“At the Wednesday bargaining session, the company offered a raise of 2.5% for 2007 (still not retroactive), and 2.75% in each of the next two years. That still won’t keep us ahead of inflation and health premiums.”

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