Gerry Lenfest Awards $1,000 Bonuses to Philly Newspaper Workers*

Philanthropist H.G. “Gerry” Lenfest speaks at a news conference after a closed-door auction to buy the The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News Tuesday, May 27, 2014, in Philadelphia. Photo | Matt Rourke/AP

Here’s the good news: If you work for the Inquirer, Daily News, or Philly.com, Gerry Lenfest is going to give you $1,000.

The not-so-thrilling news? If you’re a member of the Newspaper Guild, you won’t see any of that money in cash. Instead, it’ll go to help pay for your health insurance costs.

“As negotiated by their leadership, in lieu of the $1,000 bonus being paid to the Guild’s individual members, a payment of $1,000 for each Guild member is being made to that union’s (health and welfare) plan,” Lenfest said in a Wednesday afternoon email announcing the bonus.

Howard Gensler,, president of the Newspaper Guild, confirmed Wednesday that his union had agreed during recent contract negotiations to take increased support to the health insurance plan instead of a bonus. But he acknowledged that rank-and-file members of the Guild — which represents journalists, ad sales, and support staffers — might not have understood the tradeoff until Wednesday afternoon. “This is where it gets to be a headache,” Gensler said.

Lenfest announced the bonus Wednesday “in recognition of having reached agreement with all of our unions, and to express my appreciation and faith in our ability to work together to ensure the future success of the Company.”

See the full memo below:

From: “Lenfest, Gerry”
Date: July 29, 2015 at 2:52:07 PM EDT
Subject: Important Message to All Employees from Gerry Lenfest

Good afternoon,

In recognition of having reached agreement with all of our unions, and to express my appreciation and faith in our ability to work together to ensure the future success of the Company, I have decided to provide a one-time special bonus to all eligible employees.

Every eligible full-time employee will receive a check on Friday, July 31, 2015 in the amount of $1,000.00, less applicable tax deductions. A lesser, pro rata amount will be provided to eligible part-time employees and to eligible full-time employees who were only employed for a portion of 2015 year-to-date. As negotiated by their leadership, in lieu of the $1,000 bonus being paid to the Guild’s individual members, a payment of $1,000 for each Guild member is being made to that union’s H&W plan.

Thanks again for all your hard work and dedication. I look forward to continuing to make this the best regional news organization in America!
Gerry