MinnPost colleague Sharon Schmickle writes:

The showdown between the Star Tribune and the Teamsters’ union representing its pressmen is in its final hours in bankruptcy court in Manhattan where the newspaper is trying to reorganize.

After hearing testimony on Wednesday, Judge Robert Drain ordered both sides to immediately resume negotiations that had taken place in Minneapolis after the newspaper filed a request to toss out the contract for Teamsters’ Local 1-M.

Drain warned that if negotiations do not bring forth a new agreement he could order one on Friday, said Andrew Staab, an attorney representing the union. Drain also could give negotiators more time to reach agreement on their own.

Because the newspaper filed its Chapter 11 case in New York City, the proceedings have been beyond the reach of many of the players in Minneapolis, and negotiators from the union’s rank and file were not present for the hearing. The negotiating committee was flying to New York this morning, Staab said.

The Star Tribune is seeking $3.5 million in concessions from the 116 pressmen. In all, the newspaper has asked its four major unions for $20 million in givebacks. The pressmen are the first of the unions to face their fate in court. Testimony in the hearing over their contract resumes this morning.