Bargaining Bulletin No. 5

WASHINGTON -- The EFE News Service added more demands to its list of concessions on Wednesday, six months after bargaining began for a new labor agreement.

EFE proposed reducing the current 401(k) employer contribution from the current 2% to 1.5% of salary, a move that would reverse an increase negotiated last summer. While contained in the company´s written proposals submitted earlier, EFE had told the Guild that it was proposing ¨current language.¨ EFE confirmed on Wednesday that its earlier written proposals were not, in fact ¨current language¨and represented a proposal to reduce benefits.

The company said it could revisit its 401(k) proposal depending on the overall economic terms of the contract.

The company also attempted to clarify language changes to Parental and Family leaves in the contract, with the apparent intent of reducing the total amount of paid time a woman could receive after giving birth to a child. 

Bargaining Bulletin No. 4

WASHINGTON -- Company officials told Guild negotiators on Tuesday the new leadership of the the EFE news agency doesn't plan on reducing staffing levels in the United States, but it will seek to reduce medical costs by 15%.

EFE made the announcement after the agency's new chief executive officer, José Antonio Vera, recently toured the company's Miami offices. Vera took the reins of the Madrid-based company in February.

"We need each employee we have," said the company's chief negotiator. Vera has told employees that he sees growth potential in the U.S. Hispanic market. EFE workers in the U.S. already contribute greatly to the some of the most sought-after news and information transmitted by EFE to its clients in Spanish and English.

Previously, EFE had told the Guild that five to ten layoffs or transfers were possible as the state-supported company struggled with financial problems. Spanish media recently reported that Vera told Spanish unions that EFE lost 4.8 million euros ($6.2 million) in 2011 and is projected to lose twice that amount -- 10 million euros ($13 million) in the current fiscal year.