The New York Times and Newspaper Guild Reach Tentative Agreement

Posted on August 18, 1997

The Newspaper Guild of New York and The New York Times have announced a tentative agreement on a contract extension through 2003.

Highlights of the pact, which is subject to ratification by the Guild's 1,500 members at the newspaper, include the following:

-- A 2% annual salary increase each year starting in 1997 through the length of the contract; the Guild reached resolution on a number of jurisdictional issues;

-- A ban on all layoffs, for the entire term of the extended agreement, for regular full-time and part-time employees currently on the newspaper's payroll;

-- An innovative agreement under which the Guild contract will cover many editorial positions at the Company's electronic media operations with terms both sides view as suitable to ensure the growth and viability of an evolving start-up business.

The agreement, which was reached after extensive negotiations, also settles arbitration over wage rates. A ratification meeting is planned for September. The Newspaper Guild represents employees who work in clerical, business, news and editorial areas of The Times.

Arthur Sulzberger Jr., publisher of The Times, said: "We are delighted to have reached this agreement. Now we can turn all of our attention to the exciting launch next month of The Times's new six-section, color daily newspaper for the next generation of readers and advertisers."

Barry Lipton, president of the Newspaper Guild, said: "This is a superior agreement which addresses the concerns of our members. We look forward to continuing a good working relationship with The Times which helped make this possible."