Three Teamsters locals representing drivers, mailers and press operators have notified the Daily News and Inquirer that they're terminating the monthly renewal of their labor contracts, which expired Aug. 31.
The unions will now extend their agreements on a day-to-day basis after Oct. 31. Had they not given the notification, their contracts would have automatically renewed until the end of November.
Teamsters Local 628 President John Laigaie said he wants the ability to strike or pursue other measures if the paper's current owners were to lose control to creditors in an ongoing bankruptcy process.
CEO Brian Tierney is battling creditors in bankruptcy court for control of the papers.
There is virtually no scenario in which creditors would gain control of the papers during the month of November, but Laigaie said he wanted to send a message.
"We want the people who may be part of this outside [creditors] group to know the unions haven't fallen asleep here," Laigaie said. "We're prepared to defend what we've built over the last 60 years."
Other unions, including the Newspaper Guild, which represents journalists and advertising staff, have agreed to renew their contracts for the month of November.
Guild President Dan Gross said his union continues to bargain with the current owners, but is "willing to negotiate a contract with the senior lenders in the event they take over.
"Our members have given years of their lives to these great newspapers and hope to reach a fair deal to continue working no matter who owns the papers," Gross said.
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