IAPE@Work: Holiday Edition!

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It’s been more than a month since we wrapped up negotiations and the IAPE office has been busy at work planning ways to keep the momentum going. In New York and Princeton we’ve got holiday parties to close out the year and have some exciting trainings coming in 2020 to educate members on our contract and the union. Remember if you are working the holidays (Christmas Day, Boxing Day in Canada and New Year’s Day) that you can file for holiday pay and will also receive an extra day off. (For holidays worked from July through the end of the year, you can request an extra day’s pay instead of the day off.) Thank you again for all your support during Bargaining 2019. We hope to see our New York & Princeton members next week, otherwise we’ll see you all in the new year!

Ratification Bonus, Retro Pay Update

We are happy to report that the $700 ratification bonus for full time members, prorated for part time, and retro pay should be in your Dec. 19 paycheck. Members hired before May 1 will receive an increase of 2%, and more for those eligible for minimum-dollar and scale increases, going back to July 1. We will be reviewing increases for all members and will reach out individually if we spot a calculation error. We are finalizing our full contract language with Dow Jones and should have a final version in the new year. We will post an indexed, searchable version to the IAPE site and will have printed booklets for members as well.

Strengthening by Learning: A New IAPE Training Program

An important way to keep the momentum up post-negotiations is to spend time on member education. We are launching a three part program with something for everyone. There will be sessions happening at least monthly in New York, Princeton, and now by Google Hangout as well! 

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The three classes: 

  • IAPE 101: This class is the perfect orientation for those brand new to IAPE and veteran members alike. 

  • Contract Class: Go in-depth on our contract to make it work for you. Learn about rules surrounding extra pay, scheduling, your rights at work and more. 

  • Steward Training: If you kept up during bargaining and have been thinking of getting more involved, join us for a new steward training!

Advocating for Your Workplace Issues

In October, IAPE members working in the Dallas office reached out the union after being told by management they would lose free parking because of the company’s decision to move to a new, cheaper, office space. We didn’t think it was fair that our members would have to pay out of pocket because of the company’s decision to save money on rent. We immediately filed a grievance and the company restored paid parking in November. 

IAPE leaders meet with Dow Jones representatives monthly to discuss issues our members are facing in the workplace and we need your help to make sure we have a robust agenda.

We have brought concerns regarding office space, desk moves, food options in the cafeteria and more seriously, raised questions about problematic managers, denial of benefits and disciplinary matters. If there is a topic that you think is worth raising with the company, please get in touch with a director or steward in your location to discuss. 

We also make regular inquiries for Dow Jones employees who think they are being incorrectly excluded from the union. The standard for being classified in the union is based mostly on duties rather than title and we encourage members to let us know if they observe title discrepancies in their departments. 

NewsGuild Election Ballot Deadline on Monday

Ballots for the NewsGuild’s election for president must be received in the by the American Arbitration Association’s mailbox in New York by Monday, December 9, to be counted. 

The NewsGuild, the parent union of IAPE, is re-running an election held earlier this year between incumbent Bernie Lunzer and challenger Jon Schleuss.

If you were a dues-paying member of IAPE in June, July or August, you should have received a ballot to your home address sometime in late October. 

For more information, check our our elections page on the IAPE website. Or contact the elections committee at iape.elections-committee@iape1096.org

Upcoming Holiday Events

1211: IAPE Holiday Cocktail Hour

When: Wednesday December 11 from 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Where: Impact Meeting Room - 9th floor

Stop by and please feel bring a favorite holiday sweet treat to share! We’ll provide wine, beer, sparkling water as well as some snacks. 

Princeton: IAPE Holiday Dessert Potluck

When: Thursday December 12 @ 2:30 p.m.
Where: CoLab Meeting Room

Stop by and bring a favorite holiday sweet treat to share! (We're asking everyone to bring at least two dozen servings.) Let us know what you are bringing ahead of time here: https://forms.gle/N2FSuwo6Fnqn4jQR9 We’ll provide coffee, tea, and hot cocoa as well as a few treats of our own to share!

IAPE@Work: November 2019 - Two Important Ballots

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2019 Contract Ratification

Members in NY on T-shirt Tuesday - October 29, 2019

Members in NY on T-shirt Tuesday - October 29, 2019

The bargaining committee and the board have both approved a tentative agreement for a new contract with Dow Jones and now it’s your time to decide. The majority of our nearly 1,300 members will have the opportunity to vote yes or no on this agreement before it goes into effect. The board and committee think this represents the best deal possible from Dow Jones and encourage you to vote “yes.”  If you vote yes, the contract goes into effect; if you vote no, the bargaining committee will have to go back to the table.

Important Ratification Dates: 

  • Ballots sent out to members’ Dow Jones email: November 11, 2019

  • Ballots due back: November 17, 2019 by 12:00 p.m. ET

  • Results announcement: November 18, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. ET

Please check out the newly created Contract Summary & FAQ on our website for more information. The document also includes details on the ratification vote, times for Q&A meetings as well as links to the full Memorandum of Agreement and the Notice of the Ratification Vote. All three of these documents can now be found at www.iape1096.org under “Ratification 2019”. 

The NewsGuild 2019 Presidential Elections

You should have received a white envelope reading “Rerun Election for President of the Newsguild-CWA.” The NewsGuild, the parent union of IAPE, is re-running an election held earlier this year between incumbent Bernie Lunzer and challenger Jon Schleuss. Ballots arrived to most folks throughout the weeks of October 21 & 28. 

Here are some instructions on how to vote:

  • Contained in the envelope is a ballot, which you will find at the bottom section of the long blue sheet and reads “Official Ballot.” 

  • You can separate the ballot from the rest of the sheet, check the name of your desired candidate and place the ballot in the envelope labeled “Secret Ballot.”

  • Take the “Secret Ballot” envelope and place it in the blue pre-addressed envelope provided. 

  • Seal the blue envelope and SIGN THE BACK where the signature line appears. No postage is necessary to mail the ballot.

Votes will be tallied on Tuesday, December 10.

If you have any questions, or if you may have received a ballot and mistakenly thrown it away, please contact the IAPE Elections Committee at IAPE.Election-Committee@iape1096.org. And you can visit our election page for more information about eligibility and for background on the race and the candidates. 

IAPE@Work: October 2019 - IAPE Directors Meet to Discuss Budget, Bargaining

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IAPE directors at the NewsGuild of New York headquarters in Times square, sept. 28, 2019.

IAPE directors at the NewsGuild of New York headquarters in Times square, sept. 28, 2019.

 Your dues money keeps IAPE running and, importantly, has helped the bargaining committee take a strong stance in negotiations with the company this year. Over the last weekend of September, your board of directors approved a new budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair Joe Walker, a health care reporter in New York, and IAPE leadership have worked hard to cut costs where possible. IAPE will be moving operations to a new office in Princeton at the end of this year, expected to save several thousands of dollars a year. We will continue to look at our fixed expenses, including our overhead, so we can keep investing in our membership and our contract.

IAPE in the last fiscal year received approval for a grant from The NewsGuild for our bargaining campaign which has covered the cost of our new IAPE swag and included generous support to allow us to hire Mobilizing Director Stefanie Frey.

Bargaining was also at the top of the agenda for our directors, and we discussed strategy in light of the company’s disappointing offer for 2% raises last week.

We don’t think a status quo raise that our members have swallowed for eight years is acceptable this time around, and it’s clear from the responses we have gotten from members on sacrifices they have made because of low wage increases that 2% isn’t acceptable to you either.  

The bargaining committee is using this week to formulate our response to the company’s latest proposal, which we will present to Dow Jones representatives when we are back at the table next week.

We need you to keep showing your support for the bargaining committee so we can secure the contract our members deserve. Stay tuned for events and in-person updates in your location.

A Reminder on NewsGuild Elections

IAPE’s parent union, The NewsGuild International, is holding a re-run for its election for president. Incumbent Bernie Lunzer will again face challenger Jon Schleuss of the Los Angeles Times.

IAPE members eligible to vote in the election will soon start receiving ballots to their home addresses and votes will be counted in New York December 9. Visit our election page for more information and background on the race and the candidates. Reach out to IAPE’s election committee if you have questions about you eligibility status, voting or the election.