Our new contract extension with Scholastic Inc. pays general wage hikes of 4% in each year of the three-year pact, beginning February 15. The increases will be fully added each year to the minimum hiring rates and to all of the contract’s wage step-ups.

Compounded over the life of the agreement, the general increases total 12.49%.

N.Y. Guild President Barry Lipton, who led talks for the union, reports that there are no givebacks in the pact, which was unanimously ratified by the membership, November 29.

The new contract ends a management practice of deducting from the general increases going to top-rated staffers any merit raises granted to them by the company. All workers will now receive all of the negotiated wage hikes.

All members will be covered, as of January 1, by a significantly improved benefits package. However, the small increases in plan deductibles and premium co-payments will not trigger for them until February 14.

Management has agreed to meet with the Guild to address union complaints about onerous workloads in some departments.

A unique provision will make low-cost pet insurance available to all staffers.

Peter Jones is Chairperson of the Scholastic unit.

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