By: Unionized drivers on Wednesday ratified a tentative agreement with the Star Tribune, marking the last major bargaining unit to agree to concessions with the newspaper that filed for bankruptcy protection in January.
Teamsters Local 638 business agent Bob Moore said the agreement includes concessions in wages, work rules and pensions. It provides about $4 million in cost savings, mostly through pay cuts.
Yahoo! BuzzThe local represents about 190 full- and part-time drivers. Moore declined to give a breakdown for the ratification vote.
In a message to employees, publisher Chris Harte said the agreement with the drivers will help achieve savings needed to emerge from bankruptcy. The Star Tribune wants to cut labor costs by $20 million a year.
The deal "is critical to our successful future," he said in thanking the drivers.
Newspaper spokesman Ben Taylor said talks continue with four smaller units that have yet to agree to concessions.
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