AFP - Guild News

Oct. 1 , 2001

GUILD PROPOSES TWO-YEAR CONTRACT

Improvements sought in salary, leave, retirement; "family friendly" contract

The Guild is proposing a two-year contract that includes a number of improvements for AFP employees to replace the existing one that expires December 31. The contract proposal includes a number of family-friendly improvements, including a telecommuting clause, and changes in parental leave policy.

Among our proposals:

- A 5.7 percent across-the-board raise in each of the next two years; for 2002, this represents the approximate cost of living index plus three percentage points.

- Three more personal days, plus two additional holidays (Presidents and Columbus Day).

- A telecommuting option for employees where practical, as well as an option for some employees to reduce their workweek to meet family or other needs.

- An increase in the 401(k) employer contribution, plus a survey or employees on the plan administration.

- Payroll checkoff for charitable contributions

- Seniority to be applied for employees coming from other AFP bureaus worldwide for vacation, sick leave and seniority differential.

- Increasing the minimum sick leave to two weeks fully paid, changing formula for year-end bonus

- Improving maternity and paternity leave, and allowing adoptive parents the same benefits

- Increasing the childcare allowance to $150 per month, making the age limit 13.

- Extending domestic partner health benefits to opposite-sex partners

- Establishing a new pay scale for the senior editor position

- 15% above the writer, editor and photographer classification.

- A group commission for marketing if certain sales levels are reached.

- Boosting the Metrochek maximum to $65 per month

- Subsidies for eyeglasses, health club membership

Our bargaining committee is composed of Rob Lever, Corinne Suissa, Doug Curran, Sue Mendives, Jerry Jonas and Magan Crane; alternates will be Kate Beddall, Carlos Hamann and Josh Roberts. The chief bargainer will be WBNG Local Representative Rick Ehrmann. Local Representative Paul Reilly also will participate.

-- Rob Lever
Unit chair

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