New York Times, Guild reach agreement

The New York Times Company and the Newspaper Guild of New York have reached a conceptual agreement on a new five-year contract. The tentative compromise reached late today with the aid of a mediator is subject to ratification by Guild members. At the request of Mediator Martin Scheinman, details will not be released until language is finalized. The Guild Negotiating Committee has voted to support the settlement, which preserves a Defined Benefit Pension, protects the jointly trusteed medical plan, and includes increases in compensation. We will provide more information in coming days, and a ratification meeting will be scheduled in the near future.

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Baltimore Sun Guild OKs contract extension

Members of the union representing most newsroom, advertising and other workers at The Baltimore Sun decided with a voice vote to approve a three-year contract extension Wednesday night that will freeze wages for the first two years while raising the company's contribution to 401(k) retirement plans.

Most of the Washington-Baltimore Newspaper Guild leadership had recommended approval, calling the plan a better deal than many other journalists have received during the past few years — despite the wage provision and a permanent benefit freeze under the company pension plan.

"They accepted the extension rather than engage in the contract battle," said Cet Parks, executive director of the Guild, adding that some members expressed concern over wage freezes.

The Guild represents about 225 employees at The Baltimore Sun — fewer than half the workers it did when the last contract was approved four years ago.

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