Boston Globe Ratchets Up Pressure On Unions

The publisher of the Boston Globe told Boston Newspaper Guild union members Wednesday if they vote down contract concessions Monday, they will face a steep wage cut.

A letter from the Globe's publisher, Steven Ainsley, says the Guild must agree to cuts in wages and benefits that total $10 million or the company will implement a 23-percent wage cut for all Guild members immediately.

Reporter Michael Paulson says if that happens, the Newspaper Guild would likely sue the company.

"We'd be in for a miserable summer in which people would be living with a pay level that would make it hard for many of us to afford mortgages or child care or whatever it is we use our income for," Paulson says.

The letter from Ainsley also warns that the Guild's contract is up at the end of the year and if the new contract is voted down, the Globe would seek to achieve everything in the current proposal and more.

The union votes Monday.