Newspapers' mailers' union approves contract with Interstate GeneralMedia

The union representing mailers at The Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News overwhelmingly approved a new two-year labor contract with Interstate General Media L.L.C. Sunday, a company official said.

The union representing paper handlers, however, rejected a tentative agreement on Friday. The handlers are scheduled for another vote Monday.

Interstate General Media, parent company of The Inquirer, Daily News, and Philly.com, reached a tentative agreement on a new contract Thursday with the Newspaper Guild of Greater Philadelphia, largest of its 11 unions, a key step in the company's efforts to return to profitability.

The Guild, whose 550 members work in the newsroom, advertising sales, circulation, and finance departments, expects to schedule a ratification vote later this week.

Mario Pollera, president of the mailers, could not be reached for comment.

Michael Lorenca, chief operating officer of Interstate General Media and the company's lead negotiator, confirmed the votes by the mailers and paper handlers. He referred further questions to publisher Robert J. Hall, who could not be reached Sunday night.

Most of the 10 other unions, whose contracts had expired in October, have ratified new two-year agreements. The workers who operate the presses for The Inquirer and the Daily News ratified a new contract last Thursday.