Times Co. says it won't close Boston Globe

Employees at dozens of other newspapers have recently agreed to pay and benefit cuts, but those proposed to the Globe's Guild members would have been among the deepest.

"I think we hope the New York Times Co. comes to its senses and takes away the gun pointed at our heads," said Brian Mooney, a reporter who voted against the contract.

'Situation is too urgent'
Some reporters who voted yes said the chorus of "no" votes was much louder in the newsroom when it came to voting on the concessions. Those voting against the plan said the Times Co. needed to share in the cuts.

But with the newspaper's dire finances, management officials said quick action was necessary.

"It is essential and nonnegotiable that we achieve $10 million in cost savings from the Guild," Publisher P. Steven Tinselly wrote in a memo to Guild members last week. "Our financial situation is too urgent and further delays to resolution are not an option."

Teamsters Local 259, which represents the Globe's delivery drivers, voted 89-69 Sunday in favor of roughly $2.5 million in wage and benefit cuts. A machinists union representing fewer than 30 employees rejected concessions that day, the first union to do so.

Many newspaper workers across the sector have reduced their pay and benefits in an effort to keep their jobs as the recession exacerbates an already tough industry environment. This year has been marked by the closure of a number of papers, including the Rocky Mountain News in Denver, and the bankruptcy protection filing of major newspaper companies, such as the owner of the Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times.

Union workers at The New York Times agreed last month to accept a 5 percent pay cut through the end of the year and take 10 days paid vacation to help the newspaper avert more layoffs. Management plans to restore pay to its previous levels next year if the newspaper's advertising revenue rebounds.

The union representing newsroom employees at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in April approved a 6.6 percent pay cut for its members in exchange for 10 more paid days off this year, as well as a guarantee of no layoffs through Sept. 30.

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