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PHILADELPHIA (AFX) - Leaders of a union representing more than 900 workers at The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News urged their members to ratify a three-year labor contract Monday night despite major concessions.
Henry Holcomb, president of The Newspaper Guild of Greater Philadelphia, said in a letter sent out to members that while the contract terms were "ugly," the deal could be improved in future bargaining with owner Philadelphia Media Holdings LLC.
Holcomb also expressed a sense of betrayal about the new owners, who bought the papers in June and promised investments in the business instead of cutbacks. The company has said job cuts were necessary.
"The new owners promised a new era of cooperation with workers and rebuilding. Then they abruptly changed course," Holcomb said. "They demanded cuts that will hurt our members and our newspapers."
The number layoffs remains uncertain. Department heads had been told that as many as 150 in the Inquirer newsroom would be let go, but recent talk has the number closer to 80.
Jay Devine, a spokesman for Philadelphia Media Holdings, said the company needs to figure out the savings from all the contracts with the papers' 10 unions before deciding how many people to lay off. The company is aiming to save at least $20 million.
The Guild is expected to start counting its ballots around 8 p.m. on Monday. The papers' largest union represents editorial, circulation, advertising and clerical workers.
The Guild would be the last union to hold a ratification vote. On Sunday, members of the pressmen's union approved its new contract. Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be
Copyright 2006 AFX News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
