After One Year and One Day, IAPE & Dow Jones Agree On A New Contract

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PRINCETON, NJ -- The Independent Association of Publishers’ Employees (IAPE), Local 1096 of The Newspaper Guild – Communications Workers of America, has reached a tentative agreement with Dow Jones & Company on a new four-year collective bargaining agreement covering 1,400 employees across the United States and Canada.

The deal, agreed to by representatives of the Union and the Company, has been approved by the Bargaining Committee and the Board of Directors of Local 1096 and will be presented to IAPE members for a ratification vote later this month. The IAPE Board recommends a “yes” vote.

The new agreement, covering the period from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2027, provides:

  • A salary increase of 8% effective July 1, 2024 

  • Retroactive pay equal to 4.25% of salary as of June 30, 2023, with a minimum of $4,250.00

  • A ratification bonus equal to 1% of salary as of June 30, 2023, with a minimum of $1,000.00

  • A salary increase of 3.75% effective July 1, 2025

  • A salary increase of 3.75% effective July 1, 2026

These pay increases, amounting to 16.25% over the duration of the contract, address high inflation of past years and guarantee wage growth in excess of expected inflation. Additionally, IAPE was able to secure retro payments for members that were laid off in June, including those from U.S. News and Commerce. This was a hard-fought win, with IAPE members coming to the brink of a walkout for the first time in the 80-plus year history of the union.

The tentative contract includes revised and new sections in the areas of job classifications and wages, an increase to stand-by pay, a raise in retraining allowances and outplacement services, extensive department changes which strengthen job security, an increase in the minimum weekly salary for vacation week sellback and much more.

Some agreements over Union proposals have already been implemented in 2024 including  coverage of out-of-network mental health as in-network reimbursement percentages, an increase in the number of bereavement days, removal of identity restrictions to qualify for bereavement leave, and the removal of the distinction between primary and secondary caregivers in the parental leave policy.

The tentative agreement is effective through June 30, 2027, should our members vote to ratify. IAPE will work to keep the momentum going to improve protections and working conditions.

In Solidarity! 

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The Independent Association of Publishers’ Employees represents 1,400 journalists, technology staff, sales professionals, and administrative, production and support staffers at The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones Newswires, MarketWatch, Barron's, Factiva, and other DJ products.