Pioneer Press union accepts week-long furloughs (also furloughing managers and most non-union worker

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.bostonherald.com/business/media/view.bg?articleid=1150524&srvc=business&position=recent

By Associated Press
Friday, February 6, 2009

ST. PAUL — Union workers at the St. Paul Pioneer Press have agreed to take a week of unpaid time off as the newspaper seeks to cut costs.

The paper’s Newspaper Guild unit voted today to accept leaves starting as early as next week. The paper has 307 Guild members.

Gayle Grundtner, co-chair of the Guild unit, said the furloughs were painful but not surprising. She said the Guild members "know this economy stinks and workers locally and across the country are losing jobs, money and benefits."

The Guild said the Pioneer Press is also furloughing managers and most non-union workers.

A Pioneer Press spokeswoman said the paper doesn’t comment on internal matters.

The Pioneer Press is owned by MediaNews Group.