They Hear You Loud and Clear

Earlier today, newsroom staff from The Wall Street Journal received an update about return to office plans from WSJ Editor in Chief Matt Murray. Return-to-office policies are a subject of bargaining between the company and the union, and while negotiations remain ongoing, we were pleased to learn that management's proposal has moved closer to our position in recent hours. 

“As of the week of July 11, we are asking everyone to return to work at your assigned offices at least two days a week,” Matt wrote in his department email. “My expectation and hope is that we will be able to upgrade to three days later in the year.”

On April 29, Dow Jones proposals called for News staff to return to offices at least three days per week beginning in June. Following IAPE suggestions for members to express concerns to management, the company modified its News proposal on May 3 to two days per week beginning in July, followed by three days per week in August. And today, management reduced the in-office requirement further, just like you asked. 

Member action works.

To be clear, the plan suggested by Matt today is not a “done deal” and is still subject to negotiations with the union. IAPE and Dow Jones must reach agreement over required days in office as well as details around anticipated effective dates.

The union and the company are also negotiating a new Flexible Work policy to replace the old Work Anywhere policy, including annual equipment reimbursement rates for employees classified as hybrid or remote.

Our proposals have always been reasonable and in line with IAPE member survey results. We have proposed that all “hybrid” employees have a maximum of two days required in the office and to be given four weeks of “work from anywhere” time. The policies we're seeking actually are closer than the company's to the best-practices described in news articles about the workplace published by the Journal and Barron’s.

IAPE also has active proposals for required in-office work for other business units: Experience, Baron’s Group, New Ventures, Media Sales, B2B, Membership and Print Services. We have yet to receive a Finance proposal.

To members in those departments, we encourage you to take similar action (if you have not already) and tell your managers how you feel about your return to office plans. We also encourage you to support IAPE negotiating positions by updating your Gmail, Slack and Zoom profile pictures.

As we said yesterday, your voice matters.  Dow Jones management hears you.