The three-month-old contract talks between the Guild and Sun-Times Media are "entering a crucial stage: discussion of pay, benefits and seniority rights," Crain's reports. The union represents about 150 reporters, copy editors and other editorial staff at the Sun-Times and some of its sister publications. They have been working under a pact reached in 2009 with the late James Tyree, who purchased the newspaper chain out of bankruptcy only after employees agreed to 15 percent pay cuts.  Chief among the union's demands is a restoration of prior pay levels and seniority rights that protect employees who have been at the company the longest if job cuts are required. Photo: Members of the Guild bargaining team.