Members of the Minnesota Newspaper Guild/Typographical Union took to the streets in subzero temperatures Tuesday to stop a proposed three-year wage freeze at the Pioneer Press.

Union members leafleted outside the Minnesota Wild hockey game to call attention to the fact they have been without a contract since July 31. Newspaper management wants to freeze employee wages until 2006 and increase family health care costs by 50 percent, the union said.

'We are working for a fair and equitable contract that will recognize our role in producing the paper and will allow us to continue focusing on maintaining the quality paper that you deserve,' union members said in a leaflet handed out to fans at the Wild game.

The Pioneer Press cut its workforce by 10 percent in 2001 on the orders of California-based parent company Knight Ridder and made double-digit profits, the union noted.

'The Pioneer Press is an excellent newspaper that has won three Pulitzer Prizes,' the union said. 'We workers are proud of the paper. But we fear the continued bottom line push that focuses on profits could diminish that quality and our ability to serve you.'

Guild/Typographical Union members at the Pioneer Press include reporters, editors, photographers, salespeople, customer service representatives and circulation, maintenance and office workers.

For more information

Visit the Minnesota Newspaper Guild/Typographical Union website, www.shoptalknet.org