Tag Archives: petition

AP: No Guild tech staffers will lose jobs because of planned outsourcing

None of the 67 Guild-covered staffers who work in the technology unit will lose their jobs because of the Associated Press plan to outsource some work, the company told the union at the bargaining table Tuesday.

“It will not affect U.S. Guild staff,” said Jessica Bruce, vice president of human resources for the AP.

The company provided no details of the outsourcing plan, other than that it exists, during a conference call last week with the technology unit.

Also Tuesday, the company revised its proposal on the weekly mileage allowance for photographers, videographers and video journalists. Those staffers would receive a weekly non-wage stipend of $33 that would be taxable as required by law. They would not receive the stipend during weeks when on out-of-town assignments when they don’t use their personal car. Continue reading →

Protest at Associated Press

NEW YORK – Hundreds of journalists at The Associated Press are taking part in a national “byline boycott” and are signing a petition protesting proposed cuts at the news cooperative.

Guild members and supporters are removing their bylines from news stories and photo credits. They’re also demonstrating unity by wearing red shirts and signing a petition asking AP management to reconsider a pension plan freeze and increases in medical payments by more than 40 percent.

“Guild members have increased productivity, embraced new skills, and have made many financial sacrifices,” said NMG President Tony Winton. “Members are saying AP has to do better if it wants to preserve and protect quality journalism.”

After failing to make payments into the pension plan for years, AP wants to freeze the benefit, which was paid by salary deferrals. The Guild says the proposal would undermine retirement security for almost all workers.  AP also wants workers to absorb $1 million in medical plan costs even though workers adopted cost-savings measures two years ago. AP told the union that it can afford to absorb the increase – it “just doesn’t want to.”

About 1,200 AP employees in the U.S. are represented by the News Media Guild, a local of The Newspaper Guild-Communications Workers of America. The union represents reporters, writers, editors, broadcast staff, technology employees and business office employees.

The current two-year contract expired Nov. 30.