June 9, 2009
Grievance Update
IAPE and Dow Jones have agreed to settle a dozen grievances on topics ranging from last year's elimination of the South Brunswick Copy Desk to management's denial of premium pay for work performed on days off.
Under the terms of the agreement, most laid off Copy Editors will receive an additional retraining allowance. Some of our premium pay grievants will receive full payment for their weekend work, while others will receive a negotiated percentage of their original claim, but IAPE has not backed away from our original contention that there is no cap on premium pay.
We made it clear we were ready to proceed to arbitration to determine the merits of our Copy Desk and premium pay grievances. This settlement means the Union will withdraw these grievances without the need for litigation and arbitration.
Not all disputes between IAPE and Dow Jones end in settlements, however. IAPE and Dow Jones will proceed to arbitration later this year to argue a grievance filed on behalf of a Union member laid off outside of seniority order in 2008.
Last month, the Union and the Company concluded arbitration hearings over a discrimination and fair pay grievance in a South Brunswick Circulation business department.
And all this activity comes on the heels of an arbitration loss for IAPE earlier this year, when an arbitrator upheld the Company's 2008 discharge of a Harborside-based Copy Reader.
IAPE will continue to do all that's needed to defend your rights under the contract. If your workplace rights have been violated — or if you've witnessed a violation of the rights of any of your co-workers reach out to any of the members of the Grievance Committee: committee chair and IAPE Secretary Rob Johnson, IAPE VP Bob Kozma IAPE President Steve Yount or IAPE Organizer Tim Martell.