Thomson Reuters resumes contract talks with union in New York

The previous contract expired in February 2009. In January 2010 Thomson Reuters declared an impasse in negotiations and imposed new work rules. The union said they were aimed at eliminating the Guild, which represents 420 reporters, editors and technical staff, at the company.

The Guild says changes to health care benefits including the doubling of payroll-deducted costs, due to take effect on 1 January, are illegal. It says it returned to the talks in an effort to stave off, or mitigate, the changes.

Guild president Bill O’Meara presented Thomson Reuters management with ideas for a compromise package on pay and health care that the union said would benefit both sides. ■