NYT
sues press union in bid to stop ‘slowdown’
Staff Report
The
New York Times sued the union representing its New York-area press operators,
alleging sabotage, slowdowns and other job actions made it impossible to produce
and distribute papers on time.
In
its complaint, The Times asked for a temporary restraining order to end
workplace disruptions caused by union press operators at its College Point,
N.Y., and Edison, N.J., production facilities.
The
two sites produce the metropolitan editions of The Times.
The
Times also wants workers, who are members of the New York Newspaper Printing
Pressmen’s Union No. 2, to follow arbitration and grievance procedures
outlined in their current collective bargaining agreement.
The
Times declined to comment on the suit, filed Feb. 18 in U.S. District Court in
Manhattan. Calls to the union requesting comment weren’t immediately returned.
The
Times’ complaint cites a number of job disturbances, including a mid-December
incident in which the paper was forced to destroy more than 100,000 ad sections
because of a production error.
In
addition, The Times said that on Feb. 9, 2004, press operators “engaged in a
slowdown” and other activities designed to delay production of the Feb. 10
issue of The Times.
The
delays, The Times said, were due to a large number of web breaks and
“generally slower than normal production.”
As
a result, the paper said it suffered “irreparable damage” in the form of
angry subscribers and advertisers and could eventually lose money if production
problems continue.
The
incorrect plating miscue allegedly occurred Dec. 19, 2003, The Times said. A
night press crew misplated an automobile advertising section, forcing the
destruction of 140,000 copies.
When
Times’ executives attempted to suspend the crew’s members for one day, they
were hampered by the union’s assertions that the suspensions were unwarranted,
The Times said in its complaint.
Tensions
between The Times and the union have escalated since late last year when the
paper argued against union request for a 5 percent wage increase. The Times also
said in its complaint that moves to measure press operators’ workplace
behavior have further strained relations.
In
mid-March, a court hearing to rule on The Times’ complaint has yet to be
scheduled.
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