Three Maui News unions yesterday accepted a wage cut in a three-year pact with Maui Publishing Co., the newspaper’s owner.
The unions said members were accepting a 10 percent cut in wages in recognition of severely depressed economic conditions while extending their contract to July 1, 2012.

The ratification vote involved members of The Hawaii Newspaper Guild, The Honolulu Typographical Union and the Graphic Communications Conference / International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
“The members of our unions understand the effects of the weak national and global economy on business in Maui County and this agreement shows we are willing to provide relief to the owners of the Maui News,” said Wayne Cahill, administrative officer of Hawaii Newspaper Guild and lead negotiator for the Hawaii Newspaper and Printing Trades Council.
The agreement ratified by a substantial majority of the union members will provide Maui Publishing Co. and its owners, Ogden Newspapers Inc., with substantial cost reductions over the next two year. With their vote to ratify, bargaining unit members said they are willing to help the company continue to provide award-winning news coverage of Maui County while dealing with reduced revenues from the economic slowdown.