• by Ray Schultz , Yesterday

Union workers at the Detroit Free Press have approved a two-year contract with Gannett, providing a minimum 2.6% increase for all workers and other benefits. 

The new agreement has been approved by 90% of the membership. It replaces a contract that expired last November. 

"Free Press members have gone for years without a raise — so this rectifies that, but also adds some important things that folks were looking for. Importantly, it also protects our health care and our pension, which we think are great benefits," says Eric Lawrence, president of the Newspaper Guild of Detroit, CWA Local 34022, and the Free Press unit chair, according to the Free Press. 

The agreement raises starting hourly wages by $5 for several job classifications, including reporters, photographers and editorial assistants. Workers who do not receive an raise from the new minimums will receive a $1.25-per-hour increase in the first year and a 75-cent raise in the second.

"We are very pleased to have reached an agreement on a two-year contract for our talented journalists in Detroit to continue serving the community with relevant local content and essential journalism,” says Kristin Roberts, chief content officer at Gannett Media. ”The ratified contract by membership enables further stability and growth for our local publications,” 

The Free Press Guild has 74 members; the agreement covers 78 total employees.