Bargaining Update: Dow Jones Needs Clarity

Make sure Almar gets your message!

Negotiations between IAPE and Dow Jones continued this morning—in front of dozens of IAPE observers—and the union presented its latest proposal on job security and artificial intelligence. Despite the importance of these topics, and news from the company that they accepted IAPE’s last proposal on health care, preserving a 20% coinsurance rate for POS II plan participants, it was management’s responses during a discussion about pay that raised many IAPE eyebrows.

“I’m getting a little bit of, not complete clarity on the message here,” Tom Maher said, speaking on behalf of the company. “You made clear that 3% isn’t going to do it, but you didn’t make clear that anything less than 10% would be acceptable.”

Maher was referring, of course, to IAPE’s current proposal to increase wages, in a new contract, by 10% in 2023, 8% in 2024, and 8% in 2025—proposals the union has repeatedly claimed a company enjoying quarter after quarter of record profits should be able to accommodate.

What could be clearer than that?

“We could tell you at the table,” IAPE rep Tim Martell responded, “but we’re reaching the place where our members are going to have to demonstrate in the offices.”

“We don’t want this to be long and rancorous, but it may need to be.”

IAPE members can begin demonstrating to Dow Jones management that the company needs to negotiate toward the union’s wage demands by sending a holiday message to CEO Almar Latour. FELLOW IAPE MEMBER, THIS MEANS YOU! Thus far, Latour has received his bargaining updates through the filter of his bargaining team. Let’s make sure he hears directly from those calling for the pay increases they deserve. Sign your card today!

Back at the bargaining table, management again claimed it has shown “flexibility” in negotiating toward a wage agreement, while accusing IAPE of not showing the same consideration. Meanwhile, Dow Jones wage proposals have remained at 3% since they were first offered in August, almost two months after negotiations began.

Four months later, Dow Jones continues to offer 3% pay increases in each contract year, with a 0.25% lump sum payment to offset health care premium increases. Those premiums, as proposed by the company, could result in up to 30% increases for those with dependents. An “offset” of a tiny, non-compounding, one-time lump sum, doesn't add up for us.

In addition to the holiday message campaign, the IAPE Contract Action Team is planning other events and activities for member participation and escalation. To join this team, please email us at cat@iape1096.org. The more participation we have, the more we can do and the more seriously the company will take the collective voice of our members.

We hope a contract settlement materializes before needing to escalate to a consideration of withholding our labor, but to reach agreement we need to have a willing partner.

Dow Jones did not seem to be that partner today.

Negotiations continue next Thursday morning. See your email for a registration link to join as an open bargaining observer.