CORAL GABLES, Fla. June 27, 2006 – Negotiators for the News Media Guild reported progress in talks with the EFE News Service on Tuesday, as both sides focused on issues such as vacations, maternity leave, and other ‘time away from work’ provisions.
The company appeared to move closer to the Guild’s fair positions on these issues, which currently deviate from city to city and are far less than the superior contract covering Spanish workers who do the same jobs.
“Today’s talks were constructive,” said Tony Winton, NMG president. “There are still profound areas of disagreement and discrimination, but we’re hopeful momentum will keep building toward a fair deal,” he said.
In the area of vacations, the Guild and the company discussed both the amount – which the Guild said must be fair – and sensible scheduling rules. One Guild provision would require EFE to reimburse a staffer’s travel expenses if a vacation is suddenly canceled for breaking news coverage of an emergency nature.
In the areas of leaves, the Union and the company focused on parental leave for new mothers and fathers. The Guild said it wanted the same treatment for U.S. workers that is currently afforded to Spanish contract employees. Spanish workers enjoy 16 weeks of paid leave and generous extended leave when children are born or adopted. EFE said it understood the Guild’s concerns and would respond.
Negotiators also discussed leaves that would enhance journalistic excellence at EFE. The union is seeking that EFE automatically approve leaves whenever an employee wins a prestigious fellowship, such as the Nieman fellowship at Harvard University and the EFE fellowship in Madrid. The company was receptive to the Guild’s proposal but offered no commitments, saying it needed to minimize disruption to news operations. The union said it would work with EFE to address its concerns.
On the issue of health care, the Guild and the company agreed to a meeting in Washington, D.C. in July to discuss the details of the union’s health care proposal. A union-run medical plan would reduce costs for workers and provide superior coverage. The meeting will focus on technical matters in an effort to move closer to agreement.
“Thanks to the unity of EFE workers, there is now some reason for optimism in talks with the company,” said Jorge Bañales, a Washington reporter. “Showing our continued unity is the best way to conclude a fair agreement and overcome some of the major issues that remain,” he said.
Negotiations will resume in Miami in August. EFE, expressing optimism, said company Human Resources director Pedro Farre would come to Miami in September.
Representing the Guild were Winton, García, Washington reporter Jorge Bañales and photo representative Esteban Prieto.
Representing the company were Emilio Sánchez, Miami bureau chief, and attorney Rudy Gómez.