Globe Union Asks For Open Negotiations With Times Co.

The Boston Newspaper Guild, which represents more than 700 employees and is the largest labor group at the Boston Globe, opened negotiations Tuesday with the paper's owners, The New York Times Co.

In the opening move in contract negotiations, the Newspaper Guild says it wants all talks with The New York Times to be in an open, public session. According to a statement, the guild says the union talks are a matter of significant public interest so they should be transparent.

The Times has threatened to close the Globe if the Guild and 12 other unions don't agree to $20 million in cuts.

The Guild also wants to negotiate a revenue-sharing guarantee with the Globe and have a larger say in policy decision making at the paper in return for cutting $10 million in costs.

The New York Times declined to comment.