IAPE Directors Meet, Budget Approved

The Board of Directors of IAPE TNG/CWA Local 10986 met on Saturday and adopted a budget for the union’s new fiscal year commencing Oct. 1.

With contract negotiations expected to resume in 2023, the IAPE Board approved expenditures in line with the Fiscal 2022 budget. Despite another aggressive spending plan, with expectations for mobilization actions and events in support of 2023 contract negotiations, the union projects a surplus of $41,000 through September of next year.

Directors also discussed last week’s email from WSJ Editor in Chief Matt Murray announcing News staff will be expected to work three days per week in offices effective Nov. 1. IAPE is currently welcoming feedback from all affected employees as part of the 45-day advance notice period included in the new collective agreement between IAPE and Dow Jones. The union expects to discuss this new requirement for a third day per week working in WSJ Newsrooms when a monthly Labor/Management Committee meeting convenes this Thursday morning.

If you haven’t had a chance to send your thoughts on the Murray message, please do: union@iape1096.org.

IAPE Directors also approved the nomination of a new representative to the IAPE Board. Frank Matt, a WSJ Senior Video Journalist in New York, has been named a Location Director for the Northeast region of IAPE, covering New York and Boston. Welcome to the Board, Frank!

Directors also agreed to look at ways to revitalize the union’s Slack channel, and voted to begin meeting more regularly, rather than holding formal meetings only twice each year.

The IAPE Board will reconvene for another virtual session in October, but hopes to resume in-person meetings in March 2023.

Wednesday: Join us for Contract 101
Do you have questions about our new contract with Dow Jones, and how changes in the new agreement will affect you? Join us Wednesday for a short primer on the new agreement.

Contract 101 is a great way to learn more about the collective agreement between IAPE and Dow Jones. While we usually focus on specific areas of the contract during each class, this week we’ll cover all new agreements approved by members on Sept. 9. To register and receive your Zoom link to join, please visit the IAPE Events Page. Wednesday’s class is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. EDT.

Newsroom Announces Extra In-Office Day

We’ll get straight to the point. This afternoon, in an email from Matt Murray, WSJ News staff were informed, “As of Nov. 1, staffers should be here at least three days a week, unless you have previously been granted an approved exception.”

Under the terms of the new contract between IAPE and Dow Jones, if any departmental plan is implemented or changed to require in-office work and/or to require more days per week or month of in-office work, Dow Jones must provide employees and the union with not less than 45-days’ notice.

So, we’ve been notified. Now we want to hear from you.

What has your in-office experience been like thus far? Have you found it easier to work in-office? More difficult? The same? Do you have concerns about increasing your number of days in-office? Have you experienced the sense of "camaraderie" management says they've witnessed since July?

Perhaps most importantly, do you agree that you do your best work, produce the best products, and grow, share and learn the most, when you are physically together in the office?

Let us know: union@iape1096.org.

IAPE Board Meets Saturday

Your IAPE Board of Directors will hold its semi-annual meeting via Zoom this Saturday, Sept. 17. The September meeting of the IAPE Board sets budget and spending priorities for the union for the next fiscal year, which begins on Oct. 1. IAPE Directors will consider budget proposals tied to plans for building member support for a contract to succeed the one-year agreement approved just last week.

Members who are interested in attending should register via our website Events Page. Start time for Saturday’s meeting is 10:00 a.m. EDT; business should be concluded by 5:00 p.m.

If you’re not able to join us, but would still like to submit comments for the IAPE Board to consider, please contact your director or send a note to union@iape1096.org.

Tomorrow: IAPE 101
While you’re browsing our Events Page, be sure to sign up for our 101 series of IAPE information meetings, including upcoming Contract and Steward sessions, and tomorrow’s IAPE 101 class.

When you were hired by Dow Jones, were you surprised to learn that you were a union-represented employee? Have you ever wondered about your rights as a union member? If you have a half-hour to spare on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 2:00 p.m. EDT, please join us for the next installment of IAPE 101 and see if we can answer your questions.

IAPE 101 is a Zoom presentation addressing the basics of IAPE membership: What is a union? How does IAPE function? How does IAPE fit into Dow Jones? What are the benefits of union membership? All these questions and more will be covered in this class, perfect for those brand new to IAPE, or even for veteran members interested in learning more about their union. All members are welcome; register today!

IAPE Members Ratify Agreement With Dow Jones

A majority of the members of IAPE The NewsGuild-CWA Local 1096 have voted to approve a new, one-year collective agreement. 

Polls closed today at 12:00 p.m. EDT and 94.3% of voting members approved the new agreement, while approximately 5.7% chose to reject the deal.

67.4% of eligible members participated in this ratification vote, the highest percentage for an IAPE election in recent memory, with 883 of 1,310 eligible voters casting electronic ballots. The Union’s election provider, TrueBallot Inc., certified the ratification results with a final count of 833 in favor and 50 opposed. 

IAPE and Dow Jones representatives will now meet to sign a Memorandum of Agreement. Terms of the new contract will take effect immediately and will expire on June 30, 2023.

2022 Contract: Vote by Friday

If you have not yet voted on the 2022 tentative contract agreement, check your inbox for a new reminder to vote from our election provider, TrueBallot Inc. Eligible members must submit their online votes by Friday, Sept. 9 at 12:00 p.m. EDT. If you are an eligible voter and you have not received a contract ballot, or if you have any difficulty with the voting website, please contact elections@iape1096.org for assistance.

Details of the agreement have been emailed to members, posted on the union website and presented during a series of IAPE town hall meetings. If approved, terms of the new deal take effect immediately with raises paid retroactive to July 1, 2022. 

Eligible IAPE-represented employees—those hired prior to May 1, 2022—will receive pay hikes of no less than 4%, with introductory pay scale adjustments resulting in immediate increases in excess of 8% for some. Employees will also receive lump-sum payments equal to 1% of annual salary, based on pay rates as of June 30, 2022, with minimum payments of $1,000 USD per person for full-time staff. Wages will again increase by 0.5% effective Jan. 1, 2023.

The tentative contract includes an extension of the company’s 2022 health insurance plans and a freeze of health insurance premium rates and other out-of-pocket costs for all members of the bargaining unit for 2023.

Other contract changes tentatively agreed to include an agreement to make contract language gender neutral and the inclusion of Juneteenth and Truth and Reconciliation Day holidays for employees in the United States and Canada, respectively. The physical fitness reimbursement program will increase to $700 per year, up from $600, starting in 2023. 

If you have questions about any of these new contract terms, please contact IAPE at union@iape1096.org. 

Last Chance to Talk About the Contract

The IAPE town hall series wraps up this morning with the last of seven membership meetings to discuss the tentative agreement between IAPE and Dow Jones. If you haven’t had an opportunity to attend a contract session yet, there’s still time to register for today’s town hall—but hurry! We’ll begin this morning’s presentation at 10:30 a.m. EDT. Register at the IAPE Events Page to attend.

A Reminder: VOTE!
If you have not yet voted on the 2022 tentative contract agreement, keep an eye on your inbox for a reminder to vote from our election provider, TrueBallot Inc. Eligible members must submit their online votes by Friday, Sept. 9 at 12:00 p.m. EDT. If you are an eligible voter and you have not received a contract ballot, or if you have any difficulty with the voting website, please contact elections@iape1096.org for assistance.

It’s Time for a Loooooong Weekend!
IAPE officers, directors and staff send very best wishes to you for a safe and happy Labor (or Labour) Day weekend. The Union office will be closed on Monday for the holiday—our favorite one of the year!—but will reopen as usual on Tuesday, Sept. 6.

Remember: if you’re scheduled to work on Monday, Article VIII of the IAPE/DJ contract requires that you receive Holiday Pay: time-and-one-half for regular hours worked, double-time for hours in excess of your regular schedule. Don’t forget to file! And remember: in addition to Holiday Pay, YOU have the option to request either an additional day’s pay OR a comp day for working on a contract holiday.

Happy Labor (Labour) Day!

IAPE Town Hall Reminder

IAPE members, if you have not had an opportunity to attend one of our contract town hall meetings, we still have three sessions scheduled this week:

• TODAY Aug. 29, 1:00 p.m. EDT

• TODAY Aug. 29, 7:00 p.m. EDT

• Thursday, Sept. 1, 10:30 a.m. EDT

Following a brief presentation during each session, IAPE representatives will be available to answer all questions. If you have not voted on the IAPE/DJ tentative agreement yet—or even if you have and you still have questions you’d like to ask—please join us!

Register to attend on the IAPE Events Page: https://engage.iape1096.org/iape-upcoming-events.html 

Contract Voting Begins Today

Voting begins today, Friday, Aug. 26 on the 2022 tentative agreement for a one-year contract between IAPE and Dow Jones. Email ballots will be delivered to all eligible voters—those who were members in good standing as of Aug. 18—by IAPE’s election provider, TrueBallot Inc.

Check your inbox for an invitation from vote@trueballot.com. A step-by-step voting guide is available on the IAPE website Elections page. The deadline to vote in this election is Friday, Sept. 9 at 12:00 p.m. EDT.

The new contract, covering the period from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, provides—among other agreements—a salary increase of 4% for eligible IAPE-represented employees retroactive to July 1, with a minimum raise of $40 per week, as well as a lump-sum payment equal to 1% of pay as of June 30, 2022, with a minimum of $1,000 USD. Wages will again be increased by 0.5% effective January 1, 2023.

While the compensation agreements will not apply to individuals hired after May 1, 2022, all other contract terms including an increase to the physical fitness benefit, an extra paid holiday, and a freeze on healthcare costs will apply to all IAPE-represented employees.

The IAPE Board of Directors recommends a YES vote.

If you have issues with your ballot please email, elections@iape1096.org for assistance.

Join us for TA Talk!
This week, the IAPE Bargaining Committee has been holding town hall meetings to discuss the new tentative agreement. If you haven’t had an opportunity to attend, you can still join one of four remaining sessions:

• TODAY >> Friday, August 26, 12:00 p.m.

• Monday, August 29, 1:00 p.m.

• Monday, August 29, 7:00 p.m.

• Thursday, September 1, 10:30 a.m.

(All times EDT)

Meetings are conducted via Zoom. To attend, you must register in advance through the events page on the IAPE website. A meeting link will be emailed to you prior to the date and time of the town hall you choose.

Each town hall session consists of a short presentation explaining why the union’s Directors have recommended voting YES on this agreement, followed by plenty of time for questions and comments.

Please email union@iape1096.org if you have any issues registering or if you have questions about the TA, but are unable to attend a town hall meeting.

Double-Checking RTO Dates
A keen-eyed member in B2B alerted IAPE to a return-to-office date she thought ran afoul of the agreement between IAPE and Dow Jones requiring at least 45 days’ advance notice of any change to the number of in-office working dates.

Following required notice from B2B head Frank Filippo on Aug. 17, employees in the member’s department received an email from their manager summoning them to return to work on Sept. 5. She immediately notified IAPE, the union raised the matter during a Labor/Management Committee meeting with Dow Jones, and the return date for her group was corrected to Oct. 3.

If you notice changes to your department’s required number of in-office days without at least 45 days’ advance notice, let us know! Deliver any RTO questions, comments or concerns to union@iape1096.org.

Let’s Talk About the TA

The IAPE Bargaining Committee has scheduled a series of town hall meetings to discuss the tentative agreement for a new contract between IAPE and Dow Jones. Meetings will be conducted via Zoom and held on the following dates:

• Tuesday, August 23, 7:00 p.m.

• Wednesday, August 24, 10:30 a.m.

• Thursday, August 25, 3:30 p.m.

• Friday, August 26, 12:00 p.m.

• Monday, August 29, 1:00 p.m.

• Monday, August 29, 7:00 p.m.

• Thursday, September 1, 10:30 a.m.

(All times EDT)

Each session is scheduled for one hour and will consist of a short presentation explaining why the union’s Board of Directors has recommended voting yes on this agreement. The sessions will also include question and answer periods. To attend, you must register in advance through the events page on the IAPE website. A meeting link will be emailed to you prior to the date and time of the town hall you choose. Please email us at union@iape1096.org if you have any issues registering.

Get Ready to Cast Your Vote
The ratification vote for this tentative agreement will be conducted online and will be administered by TrueBallot Inc. Rules for this ratification vote have been posted on the IAPE website, and will be emailed to all IAPE-represented employees.

All members who were considered in good standing as of August 18, 2022—the date the tentative agreement was signed—will be eligible to vote in this ratification election. Voting credentials will be emailed on Friday, August 26, 2022. Members must vote before Friday, September 9, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. EDT.

A simple majority of votes cast will determine whether the tentative agreement is approved or rejected by IAPE members.

Join us for Steward 101!
While you’re browsing our events page and choosing the best town hall meeting time for you, register for our Steward 101 class scheduled for this Wednesday, August 24 at 1:00 p.m. EDT.

Steward 101 is a great opportunity to learn more about becoming a point of contact for IAPE and taking a step toward becoming an IAPE leader! In this class, we’ll cover the role of a steward as a mobilizer and educator. If you’ve ever considered volunteering some time to work on union issues, participating in Steward 101 is the class for you!

IAPE & Dow Jones Agree on One-Year Contract

PRINCETON, NJ -- The Independent Association of Publishers’ Employees (IAPE), Local 1096 of The Newspaper Guild – Communications Workers of America, has reached a tentative agreement with Dow Jones & Company on a new one-year collective bargaining agreement covering more than 1,300 employees across the United States and in Canada.

The deal, agreed to by representatives of the Union and the Company, has been approved by the Board of Directors of Local 1096, and will be presented to IAPE members for a ratification vote later this month. The IAPE Board recommends a “yes” vote.

The new agreement, covering the period from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, provides a salary increase of 4% for all IAPE-represented employees retroactive to July 1, with a minimum raise of $40 per week, as well as a lump-sum payment equal to 1% of pay as of June 30, 2022, with a minimum of $1,000 USD. Wages will again be increased by 0.5% effective January 1, 2023.

The pay increases won’t fully offset the effects of inflation for all employees covered by the IAPE contract. They also fall short of initial Union proposals drafted in response to members’ contribution to the Company's recent stellar financial results. However, the compensation agreement will provide a greater benefit for lower-wage earners.

Additional introductory pay scale adjustments will result in immediate pay increases in excess of 8% for some, with total compensation—pay increases and lump sum amounts—equaling as much as 11.5% of 2022 pay.

The tentative contract includes an extension of the company’s 2022 health insurance plans and a freeze of health insurance premium rates and other out-of-pocket costs for all members of the bargaining unit for 2023.

The Union also proposed language surrounding cost for travel for reproductive medical procedures, including abortion. While that language is not included in the CBA, it is important to note that the Company confirmed that current medical plans cover travel for procedures over 100 miles away from an employee’s residence.

IAPE and Dow Jones also settled remaining return-to-office issues, with the Company agreeing to provide the Union 45 days’ advance notice of any intention to increase in-office working days and 30 days’ notice of changes to the existing Covid vaccination policy.

Other contract changes tentatively agreed to include: an increase in the physical fitness reimbursement program to $700 per year, up from $600, as well as an agreement to make contract language gender neutral and the inclusion of Juneteenth and Truth and Reconciliation Day holidays for employees in the United States and Canada, respectively.

While we have reached an agreement for the next year, our work is never done. IAPE will begin preparing for the next round of negotiations for a contract beginning in 2023 with the hopes of continuing to improve pay, protections, and working conditions for our members. 

In Solidarity! 

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The Independent Association of Publishers’ Employees represents more than 1,300 journalists, technology staff, sales professionals, and administrative, production and support staffers at The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones Newswires, MarketWatch, Barron's, Factiva, and other DJ products.