The Newspaper Guild Local 35 and the Bureau of National Affairs agreed that compulsory overtime should be avoided whenever feasible. Members who request that they be excused from working overtime do not have to unless no other appropriate employee is available. A shift swap provision in a union contract allows workers to exchange shifts or workdays voluntarily to accommodate family needs, such as attending school events or medical appointments. Unions have bargained for shorter work weeks for their members with full compensation. Some unions also have used shorter work week provisions with less compensation as an alternative to layoffs.
Employees lose only two hours of pay per week.
Voluntary reduced time allows an employee to reduce the number of hours she or he works in a week in order to have extra time to take care of personal or family needs. This reduction in hours may last for up to six months. While working reduced hours, employees keep their regular full-time status for the purpose of benefits and seniority. All rights reserved.