Bargaining Update: An Underwhelming Response

The stage was set yesterday morning for an exciting and robust day of negotiations! Just one week after powerful presentations from Journal reporters, emphasizing the need  for real wage increases, affordable benefits, and meaningful contract protections. The February extension of the contract was set to expire. Hundreds of letters sent to Dow Jones executives demanding a fair contract now. Management’s bargaining reps requested a 15-minute delay in the start of negotiations!

And then we talked about . . . holidays?

Yes, it is fair to say that proposal 15 from Dow Jones was underwhelming. An offer to confirm the Day After Thanksgiving as a contract holiday, but only during years the company decides to offer that holiday to non-union U.S. staff. A proposal to keep healthcare premiums unchanged in 2024, but to retain the ability to jack those premiums by the same percentages as originally proposed in 2025 and 2026. A proposal to offset those 2025 premium increases with a lump sum payment capped at 0.5% of 2025 salary, replacing the company’s earlier offer to pay lump sums equal to 0.25% of salary in 2024. No guaranteed period for continuing a maximum of three in-office days per week, but a pledge that the company “has no intention” of increasing in-office requirements anytime soon. And an offer to provide the same one-week-per-quarter of work-from-home time to IAPE-represented employees as was announced by Dianne DeSevo during last week’s company All Hands meeting.

In other words, an extra 0.25% lump sum payment, ridiculously expensive healthcare coverage, a holiday that might disappear as early as next year, the ability to continue working from home at least two days per week for some undefined period of time, and an extra two days at home four times per year.

Plus this response from management when IAPE reps noted that members in Customer Service would see little benefit from the one-week-per-quarter because they currently are only required to work in-office one day per month:

“You’re welcome.”

Seriously.

IAPE reps opted not to offer a counter proposal yesterday, and instead will prepare a package for the next session scheduled for March 7. The union did, however, offer to extend the contract for one more month. The collective agreement is now scheduled to expire at the end of March.

Wanted: Your Stories
Yesterday’s disappointing company proposal still does not take away from the impact of messages delivered by IAPE members last week. In fact, our Feb. 22 presentation was so successful, we want to do it again!

We’re looking for IAPE members across all departments interested in telling Dow Jones why a fair contract NOW is important to them. We would love to hear from any Member interested in speaking during a bargaining session, preparing a recorded video message or even sharing a written testimonial. Let us know!

If you’re interested in sharing your story, email union@iape1096.org.