Contract Negotiations Postponed -- And Layoff News

The regular, weekly contract negotiation meeting between IAPE and Dow Jones, originally scheduled for this morning at 10:00 a.m. EDT, has been canceled. Contract talks will resume next Thursday, June 6.

The company requested a delay due to the Memorial Day holiday and vacation time causing management representatives necessary for the preparation of proposals to be unavailable.

Fine, Whatever. What About Layoffs?
We’ve all heard the rumors—layoffs are expected in the US News department . . . sometime.  The union has learned IAPE members are receiving invitations to “organizational update” meetings occurring throughout the day. In our recent experience, receiving an invitation for such a meeting is an indication you are about to find out about layoffs first-hand.

Dow Jones management has not provided formal layoff notices to the union. Typically, layoff notices are shared with IAPE after each individual has been notified by HR that their position has been eliminated.

Under the terms of the contract between IAPE and Dow Jones—which expired on March 29, but terms and conditions remain in effect—the company must provide at least 30 days’ advance notice of layoffs. During rounds of job cuts in 2023 and earlier this year, management has instructed employees to stop working on the date notices are issued, even though they remain on payroll for that 30-day period prior to the delivery of severance pay.

Once notices are delivered to the union office, IAPE will share basic layoff information with each individual who has provided a personal email address to the union—because Dow Jones network access is usually shut off immediately (so, if you have not provided a personal email address or phone number to the union, please send yours today).

IAPE will also investigate to ensure all seniority rights and contract protections have been followed by Dow Jones.

Members invited to layoff meetings are encouraged to remove personal material from any Dow Jones device, drive or inbox before network access is terminated.

If you have any questions about layoffs at Dow Jones, or if you ever receive a layoff notice and have any questions at all, please contact IAPE or your nearest union representative.

Bargaining Update: Let’s Be Open About This

IAPE members calling on Dow Jones leadership to hold OpenAI town hall

IAPE presented a new, limited proposal to Dow Jones during a short bargaining session on Thursday morning. The union’s 23rd proposal during this round of negotiations reduced its wage demand for a pay increase effective—and retroactive to—July 1, 2023 to 8.0%.

IAPE also responded to a series of questions Dow Jones asked after receiving the union’s May 2 proposal on derivative rights.

IAPE negotiators kicked off Thursday’s meeting by recognizing the proposal made by Dow Jones on May 16, but noting that the company’s suggestion for non-enforceable footnote language to address IAPE concerns about AI was insufficient, especially in light of Wednesday’s news about a new partnership between News Corp and OpenAI.

Dow Jones referred to the OpenAI deal as a “licensing agreement.”

IAPE members believe there may be more than meets the eye—or the OpenAI as may be the case.

This morning, IAPE released an open letter to senior Dow Jones leadership calling for “a town hall by the end of the fiscal year to address concerns and answer questions” about the new deal.

IAPE members are encouraged to sign this open letter. To add your name, click here. You can also scan the QR code on the letter linked above, or click the “sign here” link within the open letter.

The letter calls on management to “offer a transparent roadmap for any changes.”

We look forward to management’s response.

Bargaining Update and Welcome to IAPE, MarketWatch NY

IAPE and Dow Jones were back at the bargaining table yesterday, where Dow Jones representatives presented their latest proposal document, which included healthcare premiums for 2027, a change to physical fitness, and an updated department list. 

Dow Jones also made a counter-proposal to IAPE’s Proposal No. 23 around AI. Despite union efforts to add AI protections, the company continues to push back on contract language, instead offering a footnote of the company’s promise to union members. As Tom explained, we would not be able to grieve or arbitrate over any concerns surrounding the AI language in the footnote. 

We are working through the data we received today and hope to have proposals for our bargaining session next Thursday, May 23 at 10 a.m. EDT. 

Sign up for Open Bargaining here. 

IAPE is growing!

When MarketWatch was first acquired by Dow Jones in 2006, MarketWatch employees in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. decided to join IAPE. At the time, there was not strong union support among the employees in New York, so our MarketWatch colleagues there remained non-union. 

In 2023, MarketWatch employees in New York came to IAPE to restart conversations about joining the union. Working with IAPE’s Organizer, Marissa Dadiw to advocate for inclusion into the bargaining unit, on March 18, 2024, MarketWatch New York employees launched their public campaign for voluntary recognition.

This past Wednesday, President Jodi Green and Dow Jones Legal signed a MarketWatch/IAPE Recognition Settlement and a Sideletter re: MarketWatch (New York) recognition to be added to our existing bargaining unit. 

We are excited to have MarketWatch New York join IAPE and fight alongside all members for a fair contract!

New Directors Join the IAPE Board of Directors

Speaking of great news…this week IAPE filled three vacant seats on the IAPE Board of Directors. Congratulations to Northeast Location directors - Jenny Kerrigan and Nick Devor and Northwest Location Director - Jeff Horwitz.

Interested in getting more involved?

We still have some open Board positions.

These are our current vacancies: 

-Mid-Atlantic (Princeton - 2 open positions)

-Classification Director for Technology

-Classification Director for Admin/Sales 

Please contact union@iape1096.org to learn more about joining the Board. 

If you ever have any questions, feel free to reach out to any of your IAPE Location/Classification Directors or Officers. You can find a list of all IAPE Board and Staff members on the IAPE website. 

“Ring, Ring Collective Action Calling” 

A reminder that if you haven’t already, you will be receiving phone calls from IAPE’s Contract Action Team (CAT) to take the pulse on upcoming actions. We encourage you to take those calls and provide your input. 

If you’ve changed your number or aren’t sure what number is on file, please email union@iape1096.org with your current personal number. 

It's That Time of the Year Again!

Guidance for Self-Evaluations and Performance Reviews

As Dow Jones departments and managers move ahead with year-end performance conversations, IAPE members are once again reaching out to the union office for guidance. 

So, here’s our annual reminder: all IAPE-represented employees may decline self-assessments, self-ratings, and department feedback requests. Dow Jones has confirmed for IAPE that, “Employee self-reflection remains optional but strongly encouraged,” and that self-ratings are also optional.

As we have said in years past, if you want to rate yourself or offer comments about your achievements over the past year, feel free. Nobody will do a better job of singing your own praises than you. But beware: any critical notes you provide may be held against you in your manager’s final assessment of your performance.

If you have any questions or concerns about performance discussions with your manager, please let us know, or contact your local IAPE representative

Merit Increases

As performance evaluations are ramping, we’re hearing from members that they are receiving mixed messages about union eligibility for merit increases. Managers in some groups have gone so far as to say union members are ineligible because of the ongoing negotiations.

Sadly, this is more of the same from the company. A tactic they use to push merit conversations down the road and create pressure during negotiations.

There is nothing on the union side that prevents the company from paying our members more through merit increases and/or promotions. 

Get a Pay Review!

As you prepare for your performance evaluations, we're receiving an influx of pay review requests. Requests usually take a week or longer; however, there is a bit of a backlog due to limited staff availability during collective actions and ongoing negotiations. The turnaround time has been extended. If you know you'll be requesting a pay review and have a date for your performance evaluation, please submit your request as soon as possible and mention your performance evaluation date to payreview@iape1096.org.

ACTION ALERT! Wednesday, May 15 at 4 p.m. EDT

Let’s Decorate in New York and Princeton!

New York members are invited to another “lunch-in” event. We’ll meet on the third floor in the cafeteria to decorate *drum roll please* picket signs! Signs will be making their way to other locations soon, so for those not based in New York, please stay tuned for future events!

Speaking of which…

Princeton Location Meeting Tomorrow

Tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. EDT in the Marketplace Conference Room, Princeton members are invited to attend an IAPE Location Meeting hosted by Vice President Patricia Corley, Secretary Tim Merle, and Mid-Atlantic Location Director Ariana Vera with President Jodi Green there to answer questions. 

We will provide updates, pizza, and most importantly, picket signs. Come out and join your colleagues as we decorate signs and answer your questions about office issues, contract negotiations, and all things strike authorization vote. 

For those who are unable to attend in person, you can join via the Google Meet invite. 

IAPE Slack

Join us in IAPE Slack! We are growing a community for IAPE members with access to resources, a place to ask questions, and channels to plan collective actions during our ongoing negotiations. 

Sign up for IAPE Slack here.

Open Bargaining Thursday

IAPE plans to head back to the bargaining table this Thursday, May 16 at 10 a.m. EDT, where we anticipate a response from the company on union proposals. 

Sign up for Open Bargaining here.

Yes, Dow Jones…We Mean Business

Instead of meeting with Dow Jones representatives at the bargaining table yesterday, IAPE members gathered across the country for a “Lunch Out.” Members walked out during their lunch hour and handed out informational flyers explaining exactly why Dow Jones should be paying their employees what they deserve, especially given Wednesday’s earnings report, in which Dow Jones Segment EBITDA grew 8% to $118 million, becoming the “highest third quarter on record.” All areas of Dow Jones showed growth: 

• News Subscriptions grew 12% this quarter - Dow Jones can thank our sales members for that.

• The B2B business increased 10%, with Risk & Compliance being up 15% - Dow Jones can thank our members who work on Factiva, Newswires, Risk & Compliance, Customer Service, Sales, Marketing and many others

• Lastly, Digital advertising was up 4% - Dow Jones can thank more of our sales members for that, as well.

And of course, there are our members at WSJ and those who work behind the scenes in Payroll, Barron’s, the Experience Team, and so many others!

Check out picture below of our members showing their solidarity and strength.

The signs have arrived!

Picket signs with varying messages and sizes arrived today and will soon be heading out to all Dow Jones offices across the country and Canada. Look for a future note about gathering to get these signs ready. We’re ready to show that #WeMeanBusiness!

Bargaining Canceled Tomorrow (Thursday, May 9)!

IAPE members, tomorrow’s contract negotiation meeting between IAPE and Dow Jones has been canceled. We were expecting a counter-proposal to our non-wage proposal given at last week’s bargaining session, but Dow Jones does not have one ready for us. And although they “gave us money” with last week’s .25% increase to 7.25% for 2023-2024 combined–still without retroactive pay–we are still considering our counter, so we agreed to postpone tomorrow’s bargaining session to next week (Thursday 5/16). Members who registered for open bargaining, watch for a new registration link next week.

In the meantime…tomorrow’s lunch-out is still ON! 

We’re even more disappointed to hear that Dow Jones is unprepared to continue bargaining with us tomorrow. All the more reason to join your colleagues tomorrow (Thursday 5/9) in an hour-long lunch out! Let’s take things outside and show Dow Jones we’re willing to turn up the heat.

Wear your red IAPE shirt, bring umbrellas if it’s going to rain by you and come ready to chant!

See below for the details for your office location. We will also have a virtual option at 2pm EDT for remote workers and workers on assignment.

Chicago: 12pm CDT, meet in break room

Princeton: 12pm EDT, meet at coffee bar

New York: 2pm EDT, meet outside office 

D.C.: 2pm EDT, meet in dining room 

San Francisco: 12pm PDT, meet in office, move to park

Los Angeles: 12pm PDT, meet in the kitchen

Virtual: 2pm EDT, join Zoom Link

Here are some sample away messages we encourage you to use during the lunchtime walkout. Customize as you’d like! And be sure to update your avatars.

Sample Slack away message:

Out for lunch #NoGoWithoutRetro 

Sample email automatic replies:

• When you work at Dow Jones, you’re guaranteed a lunch break, but retro pay isn’t a sure thing anymore. We’re walking out for lunch to fight for what we deserve #NoGoWithoutRetro

• Dow Jones employees across the country are walking out for their lunch break because the company refuses to negotiate in good faith about wages and retro pay. We deserve more #NoGoWithoutRetro

WHEN WE FIGHT! WE WIN!

ACTION ALERT THURSDAY 5/9!

We’re Walking Out Thursday…During Lunch

Join your colleagues for an hour-long lunch walkout. We’re disappointed and angry at Dow Jones for stalling on wage increases at the bargaining table and continuing to push healthcare increases on members with dependents. Let’s take things outside for the first time and show Dow Jones we’re willing to turn up the heat if they won’t negotiate in good faith.

Wear your red IAPE shirt, bring umbrellas if it’s going to rain by you and come ready to chant!

See below for the details for your office location. We will also have a virtual option for remote workers and workers on assignment.

Chicago: 12pm CDT, meet in break room

Princeton: 12pm EDT, meet at coffee bar

New York: 2pm EDT, meet outside office 

D.C.: 2pm EDT, meet in dining room 

San Francisco: 12pm PDT, meet in office, move to park

Los Angeles: 12pm PDT – still need a point person to lead! Email us if you’re interested: union@iape1096.org

WHEN WE FIGHT! WE WIN!

REMINDER: Town Hall and Open Bargaining

Join our next Town Hall session tomorrow, May 7th at 4:00 p.m. EDT where union representatives will answer your questions surrounding a strike authorization vote and the ins and outs of striking. We understand that this is uncharted territory for many IAPE members and it is important that we are all on the same page. If you are not sure of something, don’t be afraid to ask. There are probably several other members with the same questions as you.

Sign up for May 7th, here.

Open Bargaining Sign Up

Please join us for open bargaining on Thursday, May 9, scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. EDT. Please sign up if you are able to attend. Encourage your colleagues to sign up, too!

If you are committing to attend, we will send you a Google Meet invitation closer to the bargaining session. We'll also share a Zoom link for IAPE-only participants during breaks from bargaining.

Bargaining Update: Let’s Hear it for Dianne

We have to hand it to Dow Jones CPO Dianne DeSevo—she knows how to spin a tale.

In case you missed it, DeSevo shared the company’s recap of Thursday’s contract bargaining session.

“Our increased combined wage proposal for years one and two is now 7.25%,” DeSevo wrote late this afternoon in a note to all Dow Jones staff, “with the lower-paid one-third of the IAPE bargaining unit receiving even higher increases, up to 14%.”

She’s right, you know. In fact, 13 IAPE-represented employees would receive pay increases equaling 14.07% under the proposal offered by the company today.

Thirteen.

So, let’s be honest about the big issues that remain on the bargaining table. DeSevo is 100% correct to say “we remain far apart on wages.” But to suggest that the union has ignored “multiple increases” in the company’s wage proposal is disingenuous.

IAPE members are keenly aware that Dow Jones has moved from proposals of 3% for 2023, 3% for 2024 and 3% for 2025, to a proposal today that—when the “combined” years one and two raises are split in two—add 0.625% to those proposals for 2023 and 2024.

And what else are we forgetting . . . oh, right. Still not retroactive.

And DeSevo is right that the IAPE Board of Directors’ decision to authorize a strike vote is “unfortunate,” but not because of “progress the parties have made.” We would argue precisely the opposite.

Look, the proposal document presented by IAPE today speaks for itself. IAPE members are speaking out, too. The company hears us, loud and clear.

Asia Layoffs

The union is sorry to learn that eight reporters from the Hong Kong and Singapore offices have been laid off from the company. With more than 30 years of combined experience and expertise at The Wall Street Journal, they covered China, technology and markets, winning some of journalism’s highest awards.

As WSJ Editor in Chief Emma Tucker noted today, “it is difficult to say goodbye.” But it appears to be getting easier for Dow Jones after laying off dozens of reporters in Washington and overseas and several Sales, Technology and Content Management staff since the beginning of the year. 

We don’t know why News Corp is hellbent on cutting jobs and denying us inflation-adjusted cost-of-living increases at a time of record revenues and subscriptions, but management sure loves talking about everything AI right now. 

Unfortunately, Dow Jones employees are bracing for more likely cuts in the coming weeks – even though Chief Financial Officer Susan Lee Panuccio boasted in February that it was “pleasing” that News Corp was already ahead of its targets for layoff-related cost cuts.

As for employees, we’re a lot less stoked. We’re sad to have lost some great colleagues in Asia – especially since the savings on their salaries wouldn’t even cover four days’ worth of News Corp stock buybacks this week. 

While Dow Jones likes to tout its tiny 0.25% increase in wages (over two years), IAPE members have seen *zero* respect, compassion or empathy from the company for how hard this wage freeze, no back pay and constant fear of layoffs has been on our hard-working employees and their families. #WeDeserveBetter #WeDeserveMore