IAPE Files Labor Board Complaint Against Dow Jones
/Union alleges Dow Jones has failed and refused to bargain in good faith
National Labor Relations Board to investigate IAPE complaint
IAPE members encouraged to support union campaign
The Independent Association of Publishers’ Employees (IAPE), Local 1096 of The NewsGuild CWA, has filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board alleging Dow Jones & Co., publisher of The Wall Street Journal, has refused to negotiate in good faith over pandemic benefits.
This action by IAPE is not taken lightly and comes after months of advocacy in which the union has repeatedly urged Dow Jones to do more to take care of employees during the pandemic. IAPE-represented employees—Dow Jones employees—have been working from their homes for a year. The union is acting on behalf of members across the company who say they continue to face difficulties in managing matters during this challenging time, with home-office costs, child care and wellness issues being frequent topics of concern.
As the certified bargaining agent for more than 1,300 employees in locations across the United States and in Canada, IAPE is legally entitled to represent their interests during unprecedented challenges to working conditions. The unilateral approach by Dow Jones not only is bad management, it violates our members' right to a seat at the table.
In a written formal charge, the union alleges, “Since at least October 2, 2020, the Company has failed and refused to bargain in good faith with the Union concerning mandatory subjects related to the impact of COVID on the terms and conditions of the bargaining unit.”
IAPE recognizes that Dow Jones has implemented benefits like Work-Life Leave, a program described as allowing employees to take up to ten hours of paid time off each week “to attend to non-work essentials.” However, leave is restricted or not available for some employees, while for many others it simply results in flex-time, with work assignments performed after regularly scheduled hours. By refusing to negotiate with IAPE, Dow Jones undercuts its own interests in employee morale, productivity and loyalty.
IAPE has delivered a number of updates to members detailing attempts to negotiate with Dow Jones over pandemic relief for employees. Dow Jones has refused to engage with IAPE over a very reasonable set of proposals addressing dependent care needs and home office expenses. Dow Jones did adopt a union proposal without negotiation to make gym equipment eligible for reimbursement under the IAPE physical fitness benefit, but only permitted expenses incurred during 2020 to be repaid under the 2021 calendar year benefit.
The NLRB will investigate the union’s complaint and determine whether formal action should be taken.
What YOU Can Do
Today, IAPE is asking all members to share information about how working in a pandemic environment has affected you. Send us a brief description of the challenges you—or you and your family—have faced in a work from home environment. Are you struggling to manage the daily demands of work and family life? Have your home utility costs taken a bite out of your budget?
If you’ve spent more than the $150 covered by Dow Jones to set up your home office—or if the desk or chair or item of very necessary equipment you need for your home office is too expensive to purchase—we want to know that, too. We’d love to see photos of your workspace, along with a description of your out-of-pocket costs. Perhaps something like this.
We’ll use your feedback—anonymously, if you would prefer—in a campaign to call attention to this week’s NLRB complaint, and the company’s failure to address its employees most pressing needs.
Send your submissions to union@iape1096.org. And, as always, thanks for your support as we seek to make Dow Jones a better place for all of us to work.