NY Daily News faces allegations of inaccuracies and lack of evidence in recent guild-related coverage.

At a recent gathering outside New York City’s City Hall, representatives from the Daily News Union, alongside labor and public officials, expressed their frustrations regarding ongoing negotiations for a new labor contract. The atmosphere was charged, with critics making serious allegations against the company’s leadership and its practices during the negotiation process.

While acknowledging the right to protest and express dissent, which is a fundamental aspect of American democracy, the Daily News stands firm in its commitment to reach an equitable contract for its employees. The company emphasizes its earnest endeavors to facilitate negotiations, asserting that it has consistently attempted to engage with the Guild and expedite discussions.

Since negotiations began, the Daily News has proposed approximately 35 bargaining sessions, but the Guild, part of the NewsGuild of New York, has participated in only six of those. Specifically, the company presented 13 potential meeting dates in June, of which the Guild accepted only three. On July 7, the Daily News reached out again, proposing an additional 13 dates for meetings, but has yet to receive any response from the Guild.

The company has not only extended numerous invitations for face-to-face meetings, whether in-person or virtually, but also offered to compensate members of the bargaining committee for their time. Proposals have included full-day, part-day sessions, and even the option of involving a mediator to facilitate negotiations. However, the Guild has either declined these offers or failed to respond, leading to frustrations regarding the pace of progress.

Despite the challenges, both parties have made strides, reaching tentative agreements on around 30 articles covering essential matters such as healthcare, remote work, working hours, overtime, disciplinary standards, grievance procedures, and editorial integrity.

Recognizing a stalemate in engagement, the Daily News took significant steps on June 30 by offering a comprehensive package addressing chief open issues. This package proposed enhancements to key employee benefits, including a substantial wage increase post-ratification, continued 401(k) matching contributions, preservation of flexible time off for current employees, capping part-time employee ratios, and implementing “union security” language.

As the situation stands, the lack of engagement from the Guild raises concerns regarding the viability of collective bargaining. The Daily News maintains that effective negotiation requires both parties to be actively involved and present at the discussion table.

In light of the accusations surrounding bad faith negotiations, which the Daily News firmly disputes, the company remains prepared to negotiate vigorously. The call to action for the Guild is clear: if there is a genuine desire for a contract that benefits its members, it is time to resume discussions without further delay.

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