Apr 1, 1998

Ending a year of often contentious negotiations, nearly 500 CWA mailers and helpers on April 8 tentatively settled on a five-year contract with The Washington Post. The agreement brings significant improvements in job security, health benefits and overtime, with wage increases and bonuses worth nearly $6,000 over the life of the agreement.

“It’s an extraordinary contract,” said CWA Vice President Bill Boarman, who heads the union’s printing, publishing and media workers sector.

Boarman, who chaired a bargaining committee of 10, had high praise for Sector Representative and Mailer Coordinator Hunter Phillips, Sector Counsel Richard Rosenblatt, Washing-ton Mailers Local 29 President Jim Cox and members who constantly kept the pressure on Post management.

“It was a real team effort,” said Boarman. “We employed some unusual strategies, including radio advertisements as well as a print ad running on the pages of the Post. Coupled with effective mobilization inside the plant, these strategies helped us shape public opinion toward our position. And the Post, to their credit, eventually recognized that they risked getting a black eye with the public if they continued to drag out the bargaining.”

Previously negotiated lifetime job guarantees continue for more than 200 M-29 (CWA Local 14201) mailers and helpers, and the new agreement provides a minimum five-year guarantee of employment for some 300 hired after the signing of the 1988 agreement. The new agreement includes caps on hiring contingent workers and provides that beyond five years the Post cannot lay off currently employed mailers or helpers as long as it continues to hire part-time workers.

Currently, the Post pays a maximum of $50.10 a week per worker toward health benefits. Local 14201 members are enrolled in four different health plans, with mailers in the top-rated family plan at present paying $106.10 a week. The new contract will save those members $63.61 per week when the Post begins to pay 70 percent of all members’ health premiums, beginning July 1. A member who chooses single coverage in the least expensive plan will save $24.72. Helpers will receive a $1,749 lump sum payment to offset health care costs for 18 months.

The new contract provides a lump sum salary increase of $1,200, based upon shifts worked, to all members from date of signing. In addition they will receive increases of $23 per week from the first anniversary, up to $1,200 lump sum on the second anniversary, and $23 per week from the third and from the fourth anniversaries.

The contract provides that Post mailers and helpers will be paid overtime after 35 hours a week or working past their daily shifts. The Post sought and won a 40-hour overtime provision from other unions.

The agreement also includes sick leave and vacation improvements.

Local 14201 members started bargaining last April and have been working without a contract since June 15, 1997. A ratification vote on the new agreement will be scheduled later this month.