U-T Labor Talks End Without Accord

Representatives of the San Diego Newspaper Guild and the Union-Tribune Publishing Co., attempting to resolve an increasingly acrimonious labor dispute threatening the two daily newspapers, ended talks Friday without agreement after a full day of negotiating.

No date was set for new talks, although both sides expressed hope that some sessions could be held next week.

The lack of an agreement, despite the presence of a state mediator, appeared to worsen an already grim mood among employees. After Friday’s negotiating session, workers held a boisterous meeting at their strike headquarters.

“People in the plant are just outraged with management,” said James Griffin, an international representative of the Newspaper Guild who participated in the negotiations.

“This is a sad day for San Diego journalism,” one guild member said after the talks ended.

Guild officials accused management of refusing to budge from its position on two critical issues: The length of a new contract and the use of company vehicles by circulation employees. The guild is seeking a three-year contract, while management has offered a one-year package. The company is seeking to cut back on use of fleet vehicles, the guild says.

Herb Klein, editor-in-chief of Copley Press, which publishes the morning Union and afternoon Tribune, said both sides had made various proposals, but he acknowledged that advances were few.

“I’m disappointed that there wasn’t as much progress as I had hoped,” Klein said.

The two sides, working with the state mediator relaying proposals from room to room, met from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Hyatt Islandia hotel. One minor matter, involving leaves of absence, was resolved, Griffin said.

The guild’s 1,150 members, including reporters, photographers and employees in the advertising, circulation, library and maintenance departments, have been without a contract for 18 months. The guild authorized a strike last month.

Talks had resumed Wednesday after a 12-day hiatus.