AP Reporters Rally for Quality Journalism in Labor Talks

--(BUSINESS WIRE)--News Media Guild - Communications Workers of America:

WHAT: Associated Press journalists will rally outside AP’s Manhattan headquarters to stand up for quality journalism at the world’s largest news agency. Staffers will protest the AP’s proposed huge increases in medical premiums and a 50 percent cut in retirement benefits. Staffers at nearly 30 other AP bureaus across the nation are also holding protests.

In conjunction with the rallies, AP reporters started a national byline boycott Monday.

WHERE: New York City picketing will be at AP headquarters, 450 W. 33^rd St.

WHEN: Wednesday, March 16, from 1 to 2 p.m.

WHY: AP’s 1,250 journalists and technicians have been trying to negotiate a new contract with AP since October, but the company continues to insist on deep cuts.

AP workers have already made many concessions to reduce costs, and haven’t had a wage increase in two years. Some 10 percent of the staff was laid off in 2009.

AP is demanding huge increases in health care premiums, a pension freeze and a miniscule raise that won’t keep pace with inflation. The combined effect of management’s demands would immediately cut income for most of the staff and eliminate retirement security.

Staff have been protesting these demands since October, signing petitions, withholding their names from their work, withholding use of their personal cars and cell phones for assignments and sending direct appeals to AP CEO Tom Curley.

About 120 people, Washington, D.C., AP employees and supporters, turned out Saturday for a “Family Day” protest outside the Newseum.

VISUALS: (In New York) Dozens of workers will be protesting in Guild red and distributing flyers asking the public to support us by signing our online petition. We’ll also have a large banner reading, “Support Quality Journalism and AP Workers.”