Contract Update: OTR Talks Continue

IAPE and Dow Jones bargaining teams met Thursday for off-the-record negotiations—as we indicated would take place in our last update—and plan to resume confidential discussions when they meet again tomorrow morning. While the union and the company have agreed not to report details from last week’s off-record session, the fact that another meeting is scheduled for tomorrow is an indication that the talks were productive.

IAPE and Dow Jones did trade formal, written proposals and supporting documents prior to beginning off-the-record negotiations. You can review all those items on our Bargaining 2022 page.

Protecting Access to Reproductive Healthcare
Among the items on that page is the union’s opening proposal from June 23, in which IAPE proposed that Dow Jones should cover travel expenses for employees and dependents who need to travel out of state to access reproductive health care.

The company’s answer: we already do.

When covered services—including abortion—are not available within 100 miles of an employee’s home, the company will reimburse travel costs and a portion of lodging expenses.  Covered travel expenses include coach airfare, bus/train fare, mileage driven in a personal car, tolls and parking fees. Lodging will be reimbursed up to $50 per patient, or $100 when a patient is traveling with a companion, such as a spouse or a partner.

On July 12, IAPE modified its proposal to reduce the travel reimbursement threshold to 50 miles. Regardless, we want to make sure all members are aware of this benefit.

Wednesday: Contract 101
To find out more about contract negotiations, join us for a special edition of Contract 101 on Wednesday, July 20 at 2:00 p.m. EDT. Register on the IAPE Events Page to join this Zoom update.

Contract 101 usually takes a close look at specific sections of the collective agreement between IAPE and Dow Jones. This week, we’ll touch on the basics of negotiations and provide as much of an update as we can about 2022 contract talks. We’ll also have plenty of time for Q&A. Join us!

Who Wants to be a Steward?
While you’re visiting the IAPE Events page, please also consider joining our Steward 101 and 201 classes. A strong steward structure is vital to the success of union negotiations, and we’re always on the lookout for new IAPE volunteers.

Register for Steward 201 on Wednesday or 101 on July 27. Both classes will start at 1:00 p.m. EDT. For more information, please contact IAPE staff representative Marlena Fitzpatrick.

Where’s My Union T-Shirt?
If you received your IAPE promo code for free swag and placed your order last month, and you’re wondering where your IAPE items are, you’re not alone.

While confirmation emails claimed that orders would be delivered “in approximately 10 to 15 days,” production delays have pushed delivery dates closer to the end of this month.

Once our vendor begins shipping individual orders, tracking numbers should be emailed to all recipients. Watch your inbox, and we’ll keep you posted with any delivery updates as they become available.