Bargaining Bulletin No. 3

MIAMI – The News Media Guild on Tuesday modified its proposal on vacations as bargaining continued with the EFE News Service for a new agreement.

The union’s new proposal seeks to improve vacation benefits, but at lower cost to the Employer than the union’s initial proposal.

Under the Guild’s proposal, vacation time would increase to 25 days for employees with ten year’s service, and prior service outside the U.S. would be counted in determining the amount of vacation. The current benefit is 15 days for employees with less than five years’ service and 22 days for employees with more than five years’ service.

The Guild and the company also discussed the way the employer handles prior EFE service outside the United States. The Guild is seeking language to clarify that when an employee starts working in the U.S., in addition to the vacation accrual, he or she should not be required to forfeit seniority, experience credit, or undergo a second probation period.

EFE said it would review the Guild’s proposals and respond at a later date.

The Guild discussed EFE’s proposal to reduce benefits for new parents and for pregnant women. The Guild said both benefits are very important to unit members. In Spain, new mothers get six months of paid leave. “We think new mothers in both the U.S. and Spain go through the same travails and we think the current benefits should remain intact,” said Jorge A. Bañales, the bargaining committee chairperson.

EFE said it would review its proposal in light of the Guild’s comments. Continue reading →