Benefits June 3, 2003

AP Journalists Set to Vote On Labor Pact

June 3, 2003 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - About 1,700 Associated Press editorial employees are set to vote on a new proposed three-year labor agreement- including a beefed up 401(k) contribution- that was worked out between the news service and the News Media Guild union.
Reported by

According to the 1010 WINS Web site, the proposed agreement capped nearly nine months of negotiations. Union negotiators said they would recommend guild members OK the contract, which provides for wage and benefit improvements, including the addition of domestic partner health coverage. The contract replaces one that expired November 30, 2002.

The agreement calls for wage increases that would raise salaries for top-scale journalists over the life of the contract by $91.50 weekly to $1,070: $26.50 in the first year, $30 in the second year and $35 in the final year. The second- and third-year increases would be effective on December 1, 2003 and December 1, 2004.

Under the contract, the AP also would increase its contributions to employee 401(k) plans, offer enhanced vision care and orthodontic benefits and limit the amount by which employee health insurance contributions could rise during each of the first two years.

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