While the New York Times Co. is threatening to shut down the Boston Globe if its unions don't agree to steep cuts in its labor contracts, employees covered by the Newspaper Guild at the NYT are voting today on whether to accept a 5% pay cut for the remainder of the year in exchange for 10 days of paid vacation (which together adds up to a 10-day furlough).

From: NEWSPAPER GUILD MAILING
Date: Mon, May 4, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Subject: REMINDER: Guild Vote Today
To: NEWSPAPER GUILD

Union Times

Published By The Newspaper Guild of New York

For The New York Times Unit

Times Guild Unit Office – Ext. 1030, 1751

Visit the New York Guild's Website at WWW.NYGUILD.ORG

REMINDER:
May 4, 2009

Meetings to be Held Today

for Votes on 5% Pay Reduction

The Guild will hold meetings today, Monday, May 4, for members of The
Times' newspaper and online units to vote on whether to accept a 5 percent
pay cut for the remainder of 2009 as a way of averting layoffs during a
difficult financial period for the company. If approved, the pay cut will
take effect tomorrow and expire on Dec. 31.

There will be an opportunity for members to ask questions of the Guild
leaders and bargaining committee members who negotiated the terms of the
temporary pay cut and the accompanying 10 paid days off. Voting will be by
a show of hands...the same way contract settlements are voted on...(or by
phone for members who are not based in New Yorkor Washington). No proxy
voting is allowed. You must show up to vote. If you cannot stay for the
meeting, you will be able to record a vote and return to work.

SCHEDULE OF TODAY'S RATIFICATION VOTES

NEWSPAPER EMPLOYEES:

NEW YORK

WHERE - Hotel workers union benefits fund office, 305 West 44th St.Walk up
one flight of stairs to Mezzanine Level. Directions from Times: Go north
on 8th Avenue. Go left on 44th Street. It's on the northwest corner of
the intersection. (Times Center was unavailable).

WHEN –1 p.m. and 5 p.m. EDT TODAY.

WASHINGTON

WHERE/WHEN – Contact Stephen Labaton.

OTHER OFFICES OR MEMBERS AWAY ON ASSIGNMENT

WHERE/WHEN – Call 212-556-1030 with your name, work location and vote
anytime between 1 and 6 p.m. EDT TODAY.

DIGITAL EMPLOYEES

NEW YORK

WHERE – Conference Room No. 02E3-250 and 251 on the 2nd floor.

WHEN –Noon and 4 p.m. EDT TODAY.

OTHER OFFICES OR MEMBERS AWAY ON ASSIGNMENTWHERE/WHEN – Arrangements will
be made to dial into the noon and 4 p.m. EDT meetings in New York TODAY.