CONTRACT IS RATIFIED
Dear Guild members,
The Inquirer unit of the NewsGuild of Greater Philadelphia voted Thursday to approve a three-year contract that provides economic improvements for members each year of the deal, greatly enhances parental leave, codifies the company’s DEI policies, and maintains the current rate of health care costs for the life of the collective bargaining agreement, among several other improvements.
A total of 194 members cast votes in electronic balloting from noon to 4 p.m., following six months of bargaining.
This agreement is the best contract we have had in more than 20 years and is the second consecutive contract with raises, following 10 years of pay cuts and unpaid furloughs. In other words, Guild members have sacrificed so that The Inquirer could survive difficult years and continue to serve the Philly region’s readers.
Our work, however, is not done. Improvements are still needed to truly make The Inquirer a company that is diverse, inclusive and devoted to equality. And discussions will continue on how best to integrate AI into our work without jeopardizing any Guild jobs.
With somber recognition of our struggling Guild friends in Pittsburgh who have been on strike more than 10 months, I am heartened that The Inquirer, unlike the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette owners, recognizes its employees are worth investing in.
Let that wisdom continue.
In solidarity,
Diane
