BNA SHOWS NO SENSE AT THE TABLE

The Guild reviewed economic realities with BNA in last night's bargaining session, which took place before a packed room of BNA Guild members as observers. Before presenting the Guild wage counter-proposal, chief negotiator Dick Ramsey reminded BNA that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for March,'00 (over March, '99) is at 3.7%, and that the increase in the CPI in the first three months of 2000 is rising at an annualized rate of 5.8%. BNA's paltry increases of 1.5% in year 1 and 2% in year 2 for employees in the steps doesn't begin to keep up with the cost of living (let alone attract and retain employees).

In contrast, BNA revenue is up 5.4%, operating profit is up 3.1%, and the operating profit margin is up 8.3%.

The Guild proposed year 1 and 2 increases in the steps of 2.75%, and 4.25% for red-circled employees, noting as well that the Guild had moved in good faith to meet each of BNA's stated needs for changes necessary to the business in job advancement, "future practices", and use of emergency leave. BNA clearly indicated both at the table and in its broadcast e-mail Management Bargaining Reports that there was no more money for wages "unless the Guild demonstrates real willingness to help management attain its objectives in these negotiations." (Bulletin #5, 3/22/00).

Yet, "No, No No, No", was BNA's response last night, in response to Guild movement. BNA not only flatly rejected the Guild's wage counter, but refused to offer any counter of its own, sticking to its insulting and indefensible 1.5% proposal.

BNA also said NO to even a modest increase in the pension formula, increased Metrochek and parking reimbursements, and any changes in union security language. BNA chief negotiator Neal Barkus said BNA "has no sense that making any movement on any of the open items would yield an agreement." NO SENSE IS RIGHT!

BNA also reversed itself on a previously agreed to proposed provision to create a joint Career Development Curriculum committee to link training programs to career advancement paths within the company. The committee's work would allow employees to understand which training programs would most likely develop skills necessary for upward advancement. Career advancement paths would create no guarantee that an employee taking training would be a successful job bidder. But in reversing its position BNA said last night it was afraid employees would assume that if they took training they would be entitled to promotion.

Washington-Baltimore Newspaper Guild
Local 32035 The Newspaper Guild
Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO