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AP Journalists Withold Bylines, Personal Gear in Protest Over Company's Proposals
Reporters and photographers at Associated Press are withholding bylines and personal equipment in protest over the news agency’s proposals that would threaten job security, dramatically raise medical costs, and freeze wages. The protests come as talks continue between AP and the News Media Guild, the union that represents 1,400 editorial, technology, and support staff at AP.
“Staffers recognize the tough times, but they also understand that quality journalism at AP means attracting and retaining the best employees,” said NMG President Tony Winton. “They’re making it clear that AP’s future success means respecting its workers, not imposing huge medical costs and regressing on industry-standard job security terms,” Winton said.
The Guild and the AP have been bargaining since Oct. 21. There has been agreement on a handful of articles, but the sides remain far apart. AP proposed a wage freeze in the first year of a two-year agreement, followed by a two percent increase a year later. The Guild opened with a 10% wage increase proposal, but has indicated flexibility at the bargaining table.
The protest included other actions besides the withholding of bylines. Others planned to withhold use of their personal vehicles, cell phones, and other equipment, while others were ‘working to rule’ to express displeasure at the company’s proposals. The protest began Sunday afternoon and is set to end later this week.
AP has publicly reported several years of increasing revenue and profits, and managers have stated they expect to end 2008 with more good results. However, they have said that 2009 forecasts are bleaker.
The News Media Guild is Local 31222 of The Newspaper Guild-Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO. The Guild represents editorial, technology, and other workers in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. The current agreement expired Nov. 30.
Contact: Tony Winton, News Media Guild (212) 869-9290