PHILADELPHIA. The Teamsters union representing more than 200 drivers for the Daily News and Inquirer newspapers roundly rejected a contract proposal from the dailies’ new owners, adding to the pressure of getting deals done with all 14 unions by today.
The ownership group, called Philadelphia Media Network, has hoped to end the papers’ nearly two-year bankruptcy proceeding by formalizing new labor agreements today.
The Newspaper Guild, which represents the papers’ 500-plus journalists, agreed to six-percent pay cuts and two weeks of furloughs in a new three-year deal last week.
They received a one-year layoff-free guarantee. The drivers rejected their offer Sunday night 182-3.
