The °Ä²Ê¿ª½± and the Washington-Baltimore News Guild Local 32035, TNG-CWA Reach Collective Bargaining Agreement
MONTGOMERY, AL – TODAY, The °Ä²Ê¿ª½± (°Ä²Ê¿ª½±) and the , TNG-CWA (the Guild of WBNG) announced their first collective bargaining agreement on July 15, 2022, covering approximately 250 of °Ä²Ê¿ª½±â€™s employees. The contract reflects the values and commitment of both the °Ä²Ê¿ª½± and the Guild to social, racial and economic justice. Over the life of the three-year contract, the average wage will increase by more than 11 percent for employees. Beginning November 1,2022, the minimum wage for new °Ä²Ê¿ª½± employees will be over $20 per hour.
The Guild was certified by the National Labor Relations Board as the exclusive representative of the °Ä²Ê¿ª½±â€™s employees following an election in December 2019. Shortly thereafter, the °Ä²Ê¿ª½± and the Guild reached an agreement that provided just cause protection from discipline and discharge and a grievance procedure to enforce it. An interim agreement providing just cause protection is unprecedented in the Guild.
The Guild spent the next year surveying employees and drafting a contract proposal. The Guild presented its proposal to the °Ä²Ê¿ª½± and commenced bargaining in November 2020.
The °Ä²Ê¿ª½± president/CEO Margaret Huang and WBNG executive director Cet Parks jointly stated:
“This contract can be a catalyst for economic and racial justice in the South and beyond. It will support all the °Ä²Ê¿ª½± employees who work every day to achieve a vision of a world where everyone can thrive and the ideals of equity, justice and liberation are a reality for all. The °Ä²Ê¿ª½± recently celebrated the first 50 years and with this historic contract, the °Ä²Ê¿ª½± and the Guild are in agreement that employees can have that same vision in the workplace.â€
Other highlights of the contract include:
- Longevity pay increases
- 18 paid holidays, including an annual summer break for the week of July 4th; a guaranteed minimum of 20 vacation days per year and three paid personal days
- 12 weeks of paid parental leave and 12 paid sick leave days that can also be used for caregiver leave
- 10 days per year for bereavement leave, two weeks of paid leave for pregnancy loss, and two weeks of paid leave for gender affirmation care
- A high level of health benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including domestic partners and their dependents, at minimal cost to employees
- Up to 10% annual contributions to 401(k) retirement accounts
- Remote work provisions which allow nearly 90% of employees the flexibility to work away from the office at least three days a week
- Location differentials up to additional $8,500 per year
- Annual professional development of $1,500-$2,000
- Relocation stipends up to $9,50
- Adoption, surrogacy and fostering reimbursement of up to $15,000
- Cell phone reimbursement of $75/month for eligible employees
- Tuition reimbursement up to $15,000
- Paid sabbaticals after five years of employment
- A hiring preference for qualified internal applicants and a commitment to develop clear promotional paths
- Creation of a Labor Management Committee to address racial justice, equity and inclusion
- Protection against discrimination and a commitment to never require an employee to sign a non-disclosure agreement regarding complaints about discrimination and/or sexual harassment