AFP - Guild News

Nov. 13 , 2002

The Guild on November 12 countered AFP's contract offer with a proposed 3.7 percent pay increase for local employees each year for 2003 and 2004, with cost-of-living protection in 2004.

The new proposal was based on a strong indication from Guild members that they preferred an increase to base salary, and that members wanted a "real" raise after deferring negotiations last year in exchange for a cost-of-living raise. AFP had proposed a $1,000 signing bonus - with salary scales frozen - in 2003, and a cost-of-living adjustment in 2004. The Guild also told AFP negotiators that AFP's proposal to eliminate the primes for some international sports coverage and reduce other out-of-town primes was not acceptable.

The Guild also revised its proposal to increase 401(k) contributions, while recognizing that members want a boost in the only company retirement plan in force. We are seeking a contribution of 6.5 percent of salary, up from the current level of 5.6 percent.

We have made some progress on some contract issues: We have resolved language to allow health care coverage of domestic partners to include opposite sex partners as well as same sex partners, and are discussing language for leaves of absence for fellowships. We are also discussing a new commission schedule for the marketing department. We have decided to establish a subcommittee to explore the possibility of a pilot program for job-sharing for those seeking a reduced work schedule.

We will continue to press for some adjustments to scales - including higher scales for Senior Editor and Technicians - to reflect the need for career advancement and the increased complexity of some of our jobs. We will make some of these arguments at our next bargaining session, November 19.

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