IAPE Board Approves Budget, Bylaws Referendum

Directors to vote on stipend increase for President

At its annual in-person meeting on Sept. 27, the IAPE Board of Directors approved a 2025-26 budget package projecting a 5.87% reduction in expenses over the next fiscal year, while maintaining a healthy annual surplus. 

The union’s representative board approved a hefty increase in its Arbitrations line item and preserved an aggressive Legal expenses fund, in the event IAPE needs to challenge management actions through the grievance and arbitration process or other litigation.

The line item for staff payroll was slashed by a third, reflecting the current makeup of the IAPE workforce consisting of an Executive Director and an Organizer. The union has not yet filled the vacancy left by the departure of its Administrative Officer in January.

Directors authorized another year of stipend payments for the top officers of the Local: President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary. Occupants of each position are entitled to an $835 monthly payment in recognition for work performed on behalf of the union. Stipends will continue through the conclusion of the current term of office, Nov. 30, 2026.

During the Sept. 27 meeting, Directors delayed a motion to amend the stipend package for the President, intended to increase the monthly payment for IAPE President Jodi Green to $1,000 per month.

Yesterday, the IAPE Board—minus Green, who recused herself from stipend discussions—received supplemental information regarding Green’s current salary, the current median and average salaries for IAPE-represented employees, and contractual benefits available to Dow Jones employees, but not the IAPE President, such as overtime or comp time, stand-by pay and the ability to sell vacation time back to Dow Jones.

IAPE Directors will vote next Wednesday on the question of whether Green’s stipend should be increased by $165 per month through the conclusion of this term.

Members to Vote on New Bylaws
IAPE Directors also approved a membership referendum on a new Bylaws package, to replace existing IAPE Bylaws last updated in 2003. Over the next few weeks, IAPE’s Bylaws Committee will present and explain the new document, and the union’s Election Committee will announce plans for a membership vote as soon as details are finalized.

IAPE Sticks with Fitness Plan
The IAPE Board opted to decline an invitation from Dow Jones to join the corporate wellness program, currently available to non-union staff, which pays up to $200 per quarter for physical, emotional and financial well-being items.

The company invited IAPE participation in the non-union plan on the condition that it would replace the negotiated, guaranteed IAPE Physical Fitness Plan, which pays up to $700 per year—with no quarterly limits—for qualifying physical fitness activities.