Members of the Portland Newspaper Guild at the Portland Press Herald and the Waterville Sentinel have ratified new contracts that expand the Guild jurisdiction, enhance labor-management cooperation and contain no wage or benefit cuts. The agreements come as Maine Today Media – the owner of the papers is restructuring in the face of a severe financial crisis.

On Nov. 29, the Waterville unit approved its contract by a vote of 11-to-0 with one abstention, followed by an affirmative vote of 118-to-6 at the Portland unit.

Initially bargaining was headed on a collision course. The company was demanding massive givebacks in many areas. A round of staff reductions followed.

Things changed in mid October. Learning of the MTM's financial condition, investors holding a majority ownership removed the company's top executives. The management departure is estimated to save the firm $1.5 million in the next year. The company's bargaining team was taken over by members of a restructuring company interested in building the company rather than waging war on its employees. The new company negotiators declared, "We cannot cut our way to profitability."

Management opened its books to the Guild, and engaged in interest-based bargaining. This collaborative form of bargaining is designed to solve problems instead of chalk up wins and loses. The Guild and the company worked to prove to investors and banks that MTM was a viable venture with a constructive labor environment.

Through this process the Guild and the company negotiated solutions to staffing problems in the production department and created a system of irregular part-time employees to supplement an understaffed news department. Contract coverage was expanded to include digital operations.

Guild members embraced the company's desire to introduce new technology and expand digital operations. The Guild agreed to the introduction of performance standards along with a company commitment to training and adherence to the just cause standard for dismissal.

A Labor-Management Committee ignored by the former management was revamped. Through this committee the Guild and the company plan to work on operational issues and engage in joint problem solving. This committee will also oversee the implementation of performance standards and related training issues.

The contract runs through June 30, 2013, with a wage reopener in June 2012.