US union staff at Thomson Reuters approve new contract

The union said on Friday that the compromise agreement was approved by 252 members while 68 opposed it and six abstained. More than 75 per cent of the 430 Guild members voted at meetings held between 29 June and 7 July in New York, Washington, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Boston, Miami, Atlanta and Hauppauge.

The new contract, which is already in effect, replaces work rules that had been in place for 18 months and were at the centre of litigation. It includes a guaranteed 1.5 per cent pay increase in each of its three years. The company had previously insisted that most or all raises be awarded solely at its discretion.

Yet to be resolved is a charge by the National Labor Relations Board that Thomson Reuters’ social media policy violated federal labour law by restricting employees’ rights to openly discuss working conditions, and that it was unlawfully applied in connection with a tweet sent by a Guild-represented journalist. Talks on that matter continue.

“It’s been a long battle and we’re happy that it is behind us,” said Guild president Bill O’Meara. “We have a new contract that rewards Guild employees for the critical work they do to make Thomson Reuters successful. I truly hope that this new contract sets the stage for a productive and positive relationship with the new Thomson Reuters management team.” ■