Indianapolis Guild Votes On Contract With 12% Pay Cut

By: Joe Strupp The Indianapolis News Guild is voting today on a two-year contract offer from The Indianapolis Star that includes a 12% pay cut, no pay increases for at least two years, and the elimination of arbitration on individual layoffs.

"This is just a reminder to set aside 5 to 15 minutes today and get to the polls any time during the eight-hour window," Guild President Tom Spalding writes to members in a message posted today on the guild Web site. "Cast your vote; I don't care if it's a 'yes' or a 'no' on the company's deal -- just use the election process to have your say. The country is watching."

The Guild site states the new deal includes an 8% salary cut on July 1, with another 4% on Oct. 1. It also adds that seniority must be considered for layoffs, but is not the only criteria.

In addition, the new contract addresses the issue of editorial employees writing advertorials, which has been a concern for some Star employees.

The Guild site states that the contract: "adds language to allow the Publisher flexibility to assign Guild members 'traditional and non-traditional tasks.' Requires the Publisher to 'be cognizant of and sensitive to its policy relating to ethics and conflicts of interest.' A side letter to the contract states in part, 'the parties are in agreement that the Company's current ethics policy does not allow editorial employees to produce advertorial copy.'"

Voting began at noon and is set to conclude at 8 p.m.