11 January 2004

New Herald contract greatly improves pension plan, wages

Halifax Typographical Union | TNG Canada Local 30130

Newsroom employees of the The Halifax Herald have voted to accept a new four-year contract that includes significant pension, wage and mileage improvements.

"We're thrilled to have reached a satisfactory agreement with our employer," says Pat Lee, president of the Halifax Typographical Union. "Particularly one that addresses our pension plan."

During negotiations, which concluded last week in mediation, major improvements to the pension plan were achieved for all newsroom members, as well as catch-up provisions for older workers.

The contract also includes pay raises in each year of the deal, with increases of 4.0, 3.55, 3.3 and 3.3 per cent. Reporters who are currently paid $52,000 a year will be earning $59,756 by the end of the contract, while editors' wages will go from $54,000 to $62,055.

Mileage provisions were also improved, with the company adopting a sliding scale tied to the price of gasoline. According to the current price at the pumps, the rate would go from 25.5 cents per kilometre to 35.5 cents.

Local 30130 represents about 100 reporters, photographers, librarians, editors and support staff at the Herald. They work at the company's Halifax office, as well as in news bureaus in six regional centres around the province.