Directors Adopt Bargaining Year Budget

The IAPE Board of Directors met on Saturday and adopted an aggressive budget for the union’s new fiscal year, which commences on Oct. 1.

Expecting particularly challenging contract negotiations with Dow Jones in 2022, the union Board approved a 56.48% increase in expenditures compared to the budget for the current fiscal year. Key categories with projected spending increases include Benefits and Payroll - Staff, reflecting the addition of a new, full-time IAPE employee; Payroll - Contract, anticipating the addition of a consultant to assist with contract negotiations; Legal, with the expectation the union will require additional legal assistance during bargaining; and Mobilization, for costs associated with the 2022 IAPE contract campaign.

Proposals for most other line items track with current fiscal year spending.

The new budget projects a small deficit of $13,512.40, compared to anticipated revenue of $897,310. As a result of the merger agreement between IAPE and its parent union, the Communications Workers of America, 40% of all union dues is paid directly to CWA.

Full details of the new IAPE budget, including notes for all categories, are available on the IAPE website Budget page.

Tentative Agreement in Bowling Green
IAPE and Dow Jones representatives reached a tentative agreement for a new two-year contract covering employees at the company’s Bowling Green, Ohio printing plant.

The final agreement provides for 2% pay increases retroactive to July 1, 2021 as well as lump-sum payments of 0.75% of each employee’s pay as of July 1. Effective July 1, 2022, wages will increase again by 2%. Minimum salaries have also been increased.

Employees will be excused from work early on evenings prior to a requirement to serve jury duty and Juneteenth will be a contract-recognized holiday beginning in 2022. Metrics for earning an additional personal day will be set using defined WSJ Production Department goals. IAPE accepted a company’s proposal to eliminate the outdated Mailer job title, but rejected proposals to modify seniority. An IAPE proposal to amend bereavement leave was withdrawn.

IAPE and Dow Jones also agreed to settle a grievance filed on behalf of two part-time employees.

The IAPE office will arrange for members at the Bowling Green plant to vote on this contract package through a mail-in ratification election. Ballots will be delivered to members as soon as possible.

Steward 101 on Wednesday
Interested in becoming an IAPE steward to advocate for your fellow members? There’s still time  to register for our next Steward 101 session scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 22. In this class, we’ll cover the role and rights of a steward as well as the best practices to properly represent and empower your fellow members. For additional details, and to register, visit the IAPE Events page.