BOSTON -- The Boston Globe's largest employees union faces an important contract vote. The newspaper's parent company, the New York Times Co., said in April it needed $20 million in annual concessions from Globe unions _ half of that from the Boston Newspaper Guild _ to avoid shutting down the 137-year-old newspaper. The Globe had $50 million in operating losses in 2008 and had been projected to lose $85 million this year. Guild members will vote Monday whether to accept an 8.3 percent wage cut, five-day unpaid furloughs and cuts in benefits including health care, 401(k) contributions and pensions. The contract also would eliminate lifetime job guarantees for 190 Guild workers. The Times Co. has said it would impose a 23 percent wage cut if the proposal fails.
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