Union-management discussions at The Boston Globe yesterday reached a head after the boardroom rejected The Boston Newspaper Guild's proposal to take the negotiations public, according to both union and Globe officials, Boston.com reported. Owner New York Times Co. is seeking US$20 million in concessions from unions in an attempt to keep the newspaper open.

The Boston Newspaper Guild represents 600 editorial, advertising and business office staff at the newspaper, and has been asked by the Times Co. for $10 million worth of concessions from its members. The union last week proposed the hearing be held publicly.

The Guild is prepared "to offer significant labor cost savings," said its chief, Daniel Totten, according to Boston.com."

Totten expressed his concurrent disappointment at the decision, saying: "The future of The Boston Globe and its mission of journalism and free speech is a matter of vital public interest. The Guild had hoped that these negotiations could be conducted in as transparent a way as possible."

Yesterday also marked the Guild's launch of an online petition to help save the newspaper, www.bgol.org/savetheglobe.html, calling on management to share the burden of cost saving measures and promoting support for Globe staff