Guild Members Hear Details Of Proposed Cuts

Members of the Boston Newspaper Guild heard details Thursday night about the tentative union contract negotiated earlier this week with the Globe's owner, The New York Times Co.

The Times wants more than 600 Guild members to take what amounts to a 10 percent cut in pay. The proposal also eliminates all company retirement contributions and increases employees' contributions for health insurance.

It also does away with lifetime job guarantees for Globe staffers, but gives them larger severance packages if they are let go.

Sources who were at the union meeting say members were angry and emotional. They said passage of the offer is not a foregone conclusion.

But the Times says if members reject it, the company will declare an impasse and go back to its last offer on record, which was a 23 percent pay cut. The union will vote in early June.