May 20, 2008

 

GUILD REACHES TENTATIVE AGREEMENT WITH EL DIARIO

 

Following lengthy contract negotiations the Guild has reached a tentative agreement with El Diario on a four - year contract through May 31, 2011.  

 

The new pact contains raises of 3% (retroactive to 5/12/2007), 3% effective July 1, 2008, 4% effective June 1, 2009 and 4% effective June 1, 2010. 

 

The agreement also provides increases in life insurance coverage, cell phone allowances, relocation fees, automobile expenses, tuition reimbursement and advance money for overnight assignments.

 

The Guild was also able to negotiate major improvements to the 401(k) plan.  The company contribution will increase from $150 per year to $250 per year for each employee.  In addition company matching contributions will increase dramatically each year of the contract from the current 10 cents on the dollar, to a dollar for dollar match as follows:          

             (retroactive to 3 months prior to ratification) to 1% of salary

             Effective July 1, 2008 to 1.5% of salary

             Effective June 1, 2009 to 2% of salary

             Effective June 1, 2010 to 2.5% of salary

 

 The company agreed to adopt a new Guild-proposed medical plan to replace the existing HMO plans now offered to Guild employees.  The plan allows our members access to all the hospitals and doctors who participate in the Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO network.  The new PPO plan is administered by another division of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), the Guild’s parent union.  During negotiations, El Diario was seeking large employee contributions to help cover rising health care costs.  The adoption of the CWA sponsored medical plan will save the company money, provide better coverage for our members and delay any possible employee contributions for at least one year.  Under the terms of the agreement, current employees may have to make small contributions for medical coverage, but only if the plan premium increases more than 10% as of June 1, 2009.  If employee contributions were to become necessary they would be done on a pre-tax basis and the most any current employee would have to pay is $35.00 per month for family coverage.  An employee hired after June 30, 2008 will pay $50.00 per month for family coverage.  The plan also includes a Flexible Spending Account for all employees beginning January 1, 2009.  The company will make a one-time contribution of $100 for each employee.

 

A ratification meeting is planned for later this week. The Guild Bargaining Committee voted unanimously to recommend the agreement for ratification.  The bargaining committee members are Oscar Hernandez, Unit Chairperson, Nelson Cuello, Sonia Guerra, Edwin Lugo and Elba Wolmard.

 

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05/20/08