Bargaining Update: Department Makes a Difference

Join us for Open Bargaining next week – bring a friend!

Sign up for IAPE 101 and Contract 101

During yesterday’s contract negotiations between IAPE and Dow Jones, management provided its latest response to union proposals to combine departments and increase job security for members. IAPE and Dow Jones have reached agreement in a number of areas. However, many News departments remain “in dispute.”

So, why does department structure matter?

As we have highlighted to members before, seniority protection is determined by your Dow Jones hire date compared to peers with the same title, working in the same department and location. But the current contract defines “department” as a group of employees under a particular department head. For example, dozens of reporters with the “Washington Bureau” department designation are actually in ten different “departments” and seniority groups because they all have different department heads.

That needs to change.

The union also has concerns with the company’s proposals to change contract language establishing importance of an employee’s work location, and will respond when bargaining resumes next Thursday, Dec. 14. Negotiations are open for all members to observe—yesterday, 50 IAPE members displayed their support for the union bargaining team—see the registration link in your email to attend. And watch this space for details of some exciting, seasonal member actions coming soon!

Next Week: IAPE 101 and Contract 101
Please also register for IAPE 101 and Contract 101 classes, scheduled for Monday and Wednesday of next week, respectively.

IAPE 101 is a half-hour class addressing the basics of IAPE membership: What is a union? How does IAPE function? How does IAPE fit into Dow Jones? What are the benefits of union membership? We also save plenty of time for Q&A, especially for members who have questions about contract negotiations. Join us Monday at 2:00 p.m. EST.

During Wednesday’s Contract 101 class, we’ll take a closer look at the various forms of compensation available to IAPE-represented employees. Overtime, comp time, holiday pay, standby pay, shift differential, and more. We’ll talk about it all! Sign up to attend Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. EST.

Registration is available for both classes on the IAPE Events page.