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© St. Petersburg Times, published January 24, 2003
TAMPA -- A labor union has filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board seeking to represent the newspaper carriers who deliver the St. Petersburg Times to subscribers.
The Graphic Communications International Union, based in Washington, D.C., said it wants an election among 780 home-delivery carriers. In its filing, the union said it has support from 30 percent of that group.
The carriers have been employees of the newspaper, but the Times announced last year that it is switching its method of delivery to independent contractors, a common industry practice. The change has already happened in some areas, and is ongoing in others.
Carriers are being offered the chance to become independent contractors, and the newspaper is paying $500 signing incentives to carriers who enter those agreements.
The newspaper said the change is designed to improve customer service and increase circulation. The Times is the largest daily newspaper in Florida. Company officials said Thursday that the union filing would not affect the company's plans for change.