Newspaper union makes historic vote
The Portland Press Herald's union members are voting today on contract concessions that the investors planning to buy Blethen Maine Newspapers are requiring as part of the deal.
The Portland Newspaper Guild, which represents 300 workers at the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram and 20 editorial workers at the Morning Sentinel in Waterville, are expected to approve the concessions, which union leadership unanimously endorsed last week. The concessions include a 10% pay cut, a two-year wage freeze and a suspension of both 401(k) and pension contributions. In exchange, union members will receive 15% ownership in the new company. The voting is expected to conclude at 3 p.m. Watch the Mainebiz website for an update this afternoon.
Richard Connor, the head of the investment group that wants to buy the newspaper company, says the union concessions are necessary for a sale to proceed. Other union votes are expected. The Graphic Communications Union, which represents Blethen's pressmen, is voting today on a new contract with similar wage provisions, the Waterville unit of the Portland Newspaper Guild will vote on the new contract next week and Connor is still in negotiations with the Communications Workers of America, which represents about 85 workers at the Kennebec Journal, according to the Portland Press Herald.
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