(NEW YORK CITY) – Unionized Employees at New York’s Hometown Newspaper - The Daily News, have taken legal action against the paper’s owner, Alden Global Capital, after the hedge fund’s representatives circumvented the Union to negotiate a health care plan with an insurance fund for Union Members and planned on pocketing the big savings they got on the deal.

The NewsGuild of New York, on behalf of The Daily News Union, filed an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) Charge earlier this month, accusing the hedge fund and The Daily News of bad faith bargaining, a violation of Labor Law.

The Daily News Union, which represents the Tabloid’s Print, Digital and Photo Employees, has been bargaining its first contract since it was certified as a union in 2021, a fact they deliberately hid when seeking the health care quote, Union Officials said.

Under Labor Law, any changes to working conditions, including a new health care plan, must be bargained.  

Management notified the Daily News Union on September 23rd that there was a new health care plan with a deadline for open enrollment of October 21st.

Management negotiated with the United Furniture Workers (UFW) Fund, an allied Labor Organization who negotiates directly with insurance providers, saving money for both Union Members and employers.

The fund is directly connected to Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of Tennessee, providing health care throughout the country on the BCBS Network. 

At no time was the Union notified about discussions with UFW and at no time did the Company disclose to the UFW that they were negotiating a first contract with The Daily News, the Union said.

The Company did not negotiate with the Union over any aspect of their insurance changes despite the Union having a health care proposal on the table since March 2024.

Instead, the Company e-mailed a copy of the new insurance plan - including plan design changes, increased costs to the Employee premiums for select plans and cost savings for the Company to the Union.

No bargaining took place, which is required by Labor Law. 

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