San Francisco Chronicle Contract Ratified by Huge Margin

San Francisco Chronicle Contract Ratified by Huge Margin

Job Security Enhanced After Cutbacks

December 5, 2003

(Washington, D.C.) – Teamsters working at the San Francisco Chronicleyesterday ratified a recently negotiated contract supplement that guarantees their job security through the end of 2010. The proposed supplement was ratified by an 88 percent margin.

"Our first priority was to ensure the future of our membership that will continue to work at the paper, and we did that," said Rome Aloise, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 853. "This is the best newspaper contract in the country, with the most Teamsters working for one newspaper. I think the vote indicates that the members were relieved and happy to have a future, with good wages and benefits."

The supplemental agreement followed the newspaper’s announcement that it intended to reduce its workforce by 500 workers, 230 of whom are members of Local 853. In many cases, these were the only Teamsters performing many jobs that have been lost, subcontracted or bought out at most major newspapers across the country.

"This was initially thought of as a tactic to break our union and undermine the strength of the other unions," Aloise said. "We felt that we had to hold the line on jobs, but at the same time realized that the paper had to be competitive with the other papers in the region."

Local 853 refused to negotiate on any job reduction that failed to secure the work of the remaining members. After initial resistance, management agreed to negotiate the agreement, which provides for increased pension, health and welfare contributions, protection of retiree health benefits, wage increases and strict prohibition of subcontracting. Ultimately, the company offered 85 severance packages, with most of the likely recipients already eligible to retire, so that job loss is not a factor.

Founded in August 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters is celebrating its 100-year anniversary as a representative and advocate for working families.