2nd union accepts contract concessions to pave way for sale of Blethen Maine newspapers

October 13th, 2009 Ford, UAW reach tentative deal on contractDETROIT — The United Auto Workers union says it has reached a tentative deal with Ford Motor Co. on contract concessions.

October 8th, 2009 Bankruptcy judge approves Sun-Times saleWILMINGTON, Del. — A Delaware bankruptcy judge on Thursday approved the sale of the Chicago Sun-Times and other newspapers owned by its parent company to a group led by Chicago businessman Jim Tyree.

October 7th, 2009 Executives, unions closer to Sun-Times saleCHICAGO — A major roadblock in a deal to sell the Chicago Sun-Times could be removed soon. The newspaper's parent company says leaders of five unions that earlier rejected concessions demanded by would-be buyer Jim Tyree have now agreed with company executives to contract changes.

September 16th, 2009 Sun-Times union rejects pay cuts sought for saleCHICAGO — Unionized workers in the Chicago Sun-Times' newsroom have rejected demands for deep pay cuts and work-rule changes, putting at risk a planned sale of the financially struggling newspaper to an investment group. STMG Holdings LLC, led by Chicago banker Jim Tyree, wants several concessions from the Sun-Times Media Group Inc.'s 18 unions, without which it will not go through with the deal to bid for the company in a bankruptcy auction.

September 9th, 2009 Times Co. execs meet with Boston Globe workersBOSTON — Executives at the parent company of The Boston Globe say that the newspaper's finances have improved significantly and that a sale is not a certainty. The leaders of The New York Times Co.

July 21st, 2009 In 2nd vote, Boston Globe union accepts wage cutsBOSTON — After rejecting an earlier offer, The Boston Globe's largest union has voted overwhelmingly to approve a new contract that would give the financially struggling newspaper $10 million in concessions. The newspaper reported that the Boston Newspaper Guild voted 366-179 to accept the deal that was hammered out after the union narrowly voted down a similar package last month.

July 19th, 2009 Boston Globe union to vote again on new contractBOSTON — Members of The Boston Globe's largest labor union will decide this week whether to accept a new contract that makes deep cuts to wages and benefits. Monday's vote will be the second in two months for the Boston Newspaper Guild, which narrowly rejected a similar deal in June.

July 7th, 2009 CAW says Ford Canada wants to reach new labor dealTORONTO — The Canadian Auto Workers says Ford Canada has asked the union to match recent concessions reached in labor deals with General Motors Canada and Chrysler Canada so the company can remain competitive. CAW negotiator Mike Vince said Tuesday the union met with Ford management last night and the company outlined why the automaker needs a new contract to remain competitive in its Canadian and U.S operations.

June 21st, 2009 Talks to resume between Globe union, managementBOSTON — Negotiations are set to resume between The Boston Globe's largest union and management over $10 million in contract concessions the Globe's owner says it needs to keep the newspaper open. The sides are scheduled to meet Monday following two marathon negotiating sessions last week.

June 19th, 2009 Boston Globe union sets new contract vote dateBOSTON — The Boston Globe's largest union has scheduled a contract ratification vote, even though it has yet to reach a new tentative agreement with management. In a letter Thursday to union members that was disclosed on the Globe's web site, Boston Newspaper Guild president Daniel Totten said setting the July 20 date for a vote was meant to "mitigate the impact" of a 23 percent pay cut that was imposed on the union after it rejected a new contract calling for an 8.3 percent wage cut and other concessions.

June 16th, 2009 Seattle Times completes sale of Maine propertiesPORTLAND, Maine — The financially struggling Seattle Times Co. on Monday sold its Blethen Maine newspapers, including the Portland Press Herald and Maine Sunday Telegram, to an investor group led by a Pennsylvania publisher.

May 29th, 2009 Newspaper union accepts givebacks ahead of salePORTLAND, Maine — The Portland Press Herald's largest union voted overwhelmingly Friday to accept wage and benefit concessions designed to pave the way for the Seattle Times Co.'s sale of its Blethen Maine subsidiary. A union official said he expects the deal to close by mid-June.

May 4th, 2009 Large Globe union, management suspend negotiationsBOSTON — The Boston Globe's largest workers union and the newspaper have finished all-night contract-concession talks without a deal, but will go back to the bargaining table. Cosmo Macero, a spokesman for the Newspaper Guild, says the union and management stopped negotiating at about 8 a.m.

May 3rd, 2009 Times Co., Boston Globe unions discuss concessionsBOSTON — Labor union leaders at The Boston Globe continue to meet with representatives of the newspaper's owner, The New York Times Co., about contract concessions management says are needed to keep the Globe running. A Boston Newspaper Guild spokesman says the talks are expected to last late into Sunday night.

May 1st, 2009 Report: Globe union asks for deadline extensionBOSTON — Leaders of The Boston Globe's largest union have reportedly asked the newspaper's owners to extend the deadline for millions of dollars worth of concessions. The Boston Globe reported Friday union leaders are making the extension request after discovering what they are calling a $4.5 million accounting error.