Guild, Indianapolis Star in federal mediation

A federal mediator will be at the August 6 meeting of the Indianapolis News Guild with the Indianapolis Star management, the Guild said Friday.

The Guild also filed a National Labor Relations Board complaint claiming the company threatened to issue its final offer if the union did not agree to certain bargaining dates.

Guild President Tom Spalding, whose unit represents 184 Star employees, revealed the moves in an e-mail to members Friday, a day after employees met with Publisher Michael Kane.

"Star management and Gannett corporate lawyers want people to believe that we are unduly dragging out negotiations," Spalding said in the e-mail. "Given the circumstances, we firmly believe we are acting appropriately in seeking the time to fully reconstitute our bargaining committee and seeking more information about the company's supposed financial needs."

Spalding also revealed that the company's latest proposal includes a 12% salary cut and a two-year salary freeze. He told E&P Friday that management agreed to the arbitration and the first session will be Aug. 6.

Click on the headline to read the Editor & Publisher report which includes text of the email.