#AP strikes Christmas Eve deal with union on contract

The Associated Press (AP) News Guild announced Sunday it has struck a deal with management on a three-year contract after 19 months of negotiations that culminated in a final end-of-year push.

“This announcement follows rounds of intense discussions with the company over the last two weeks, culminating in even more intense discussions over the last two days. Our efforts were backed by strong member pressure through social media, petitions and emails to AP executives,” the union said in a statement.

The deal includes $1,500 bonuses and raises of 2.75 percent, 2.75 percent and 3.5 percent over the next three years — on top of the 4 percent from last year.

It includes pathways for permanent employment for long-term temporary workers, economic differentials for an expanded list of expensive cities and protections against the “riskier aspects” of artificial intelligence, according to the union’s statement.

For health care matters, the deal ensures no health care increases for the life of the contract; it increases paid parental leave to 14 weeks for everyone, plus an additional four weeks for those adopting or using a surrogate. The deal includes “improved” infertility services and coverage for travel “to obtain healthcare not available nearby.”

On Friday, more than 200 AP employees sent a letter to management demanding a proposal that they argued would pay them fairly. By Friday, the AP had offered a 2.5 percent raise over three years and a $2,000 bonus. The initial offer was a 2 percent raise over three years, according to the guild.

The agreement comes just days after The Washington Post struck a deal with management after more than 700 staffers walked off the job and protested the newspaper for a day, calling on the management to “bargain in good faith.”

The Hill has reached out to The Associated Press media contacts for comment.