Globe Management, Union Talks Last Through the Night, Will Resume Today

What started as an informational session turned into a negotiation as Boston Globe management and the Guild spent the evening bargaining over a proposed 23 percent wage cut.

Globe spokesman Robert Powers, as quoted by Robert Gavin in this morning's Boston Globe, described the discussions as substantive. Boston Newspaper Guild leaders expresed optimism that a deal could be reached.

"We discussed many issues during today's meeting with the Guild, but have not reached an agreement," Powers said early this morning.

"Talks are continuing," said Daniel Totten, president of the Boston Newspaper Guild.

The Guild came to the meeting with "offer of resolution" to management. That triggered an in-depth discussions over the $10 million in cuts demanded by The New York Times Co., which owns the newspaper.

About a week ago the Guild narrowly rejected a $10 million package of concessions. After the vote, management cut wages for the nearly 700 editorial, advertising, and business office employees represented by the Guild by 23 percent. Any new agreement must be ratified by the rank-and-file, but under Guild bylaws, the vote could not take place for at least 30 days.