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Yokich Comments on Teamster Ratification of Detroit Newspaper Contracts

19 December 2000

Yokich Comments on Teamster Ratification of Detroit Newspaper Contracts

    DETROIT, Dec. 19 UAW President Stephen P. Yokich today
commended Teamster President James P. Hoffa and other Newspaper Council
leaders for having reached and ratified agreements with the Detroit Newspaper
Agency.  The Teamster contracts complete agreement by all of the unions that
participated in the lengthy labor dispute at the newspapers and thus
officially brings the conflict to an end.
    "The greed and heavy-handedness of Gannett and Knight-Ridder management
made this an especially difficult battle and the contract negotiations for the
Teamsters and the other unions involved were tough as well.  President Hoffa
is to be commended for his role in reaching these agreements," Yokich said.
    "Along with their brothers and sisters in other unions, the vast majority
of union members directly involved are also to be congratulated for staying
strong and unified throughout this lengthy and bitter struggle.  The UAW is
proud of the role we played in supporting them," Yokich added.
    "I also speak for the UAW executive board," Yokich concluded, "in
commending the UAW members who stood with the newspaper strikers throughout
this dispute.  They will long be remembered for their solidarity."