Two unions representing nearly 2,000 Associated Press employees rallied outside AP’s annual meeting of the news cooperative held on April 28 in Seattle.

In addition to the rally, workers across the nation conducted other job actions, ranging from byline boycotts to withholding personal cars and mobile phones, to show their frustration with the AP’s failure to negotiate a contract.

Tim Klass (left) and Rory Marshall, members of the News Media Guild were at the labor rally outside of the Associated Press’ annual meeting held in Seattle on April 28.
Photo: Mary L. Van Meter

The News Media Guild represents about 1,700 reporters, editors, photographers, graphic artists, and broadcast staff. Its contract with the AP expired Nov. 30, 2002. Some 250 technical workers are represented by TNG-CWA Local 1314. The technician’s contract expired May 18.

“After seven months of intermittent talks, AP employees are fed up with the company’s hostile job security language, paltry wage improvements and discriminatory practices,” said News Media Guild President Tony Winton. “AP needs to show its respect for quality journalism by offering its workers competitive wages and benefits,” he said.

The news cooperative has offered a 2.7 percent annual pay increase. According to the guild, many top-scale AP reporters already earn less than a cook at The New York Times cafeteria. Guild proposals for improvements in pensions and vacations have been rejected.

The AP is also insisting on the right to transfer more than 100 reporters and photographers in 77 U.S. bureaus, the guild said.