Well, that was quick. Just two weeks after Pioneer Press management threatened mass newsroom layoffs if workers didn't swallow $2.4 million in cuts, the company cut the demand to $1.1 million. The Newspaper Guild will vote June 30 on reopening contract negotations.

The original plan would've cost 138 newsroom workers around $17,000 each. The new proposal includes several conditions Strib journalists have already swallowed: eliminating scheduled wage hikes, extra night pay and 401(K) matches.

In addition, PiPress workers ascending the seniority ladder would be denied so-called "step" increases.

Union leaders stressed in a memo Thursday that the June 30 vote would only reopen formal negotiations over amending a contract that expires in July 2011. If Guild members reject negotiations, management will impose layoffs worth the $1.1 million.

Union leaders would not comment, and management did not return a request for comment.

Last month, Strib business writer Dan Browning estimated 30 layoffs from the original plan, assuming each PiPress newsroom job was worth $80,000. Assuming that cost is right, the new plan would result in 14 layoffs — 10 percent of the newsroom staff.

Here's the memo:

The company today provided the Guild with a revised proposal for contract concessions. In response to concerns raised by the Guild during the first meeting on May 20, the company has cut its financial request in half and modified its wish list.

What has not changed: We are not negotiating now. Guild members will decide whether the union should enter into concessionary bargaining.

A membership will be held Tuesday, June 30, at 3 p.m., in the 8th floor conference room at the Pioneer Press.

The purpose of the meeting is to allow Guild members to discuss the company’s request for concessions and to decide whether contract negotiations should begin.

To recap, here's what has happened so far:

On May 20, the company, citing economic hardship, asked the Guild to consider contract concessions or face newsroom layoffs.

The Guild immediately sent the company a letter requesting more information, access to the company's books and confirmation that other unions and non-reps were also being tapped for concessions.

The Guild received part of the information requested, including information on cost savings from the furloughs and an accounting of overtime costs during the furloughs. However, the company refused to open its books and said it would not at this time ask other unions for givebacks.

Today, the company presented the Guild with a revised list of concessions. Still on the list from the May 20 meeting were freezes on wages and step increases and elimination of night differential and the 401(K) match.

The revised request totals about $1.1 million. The May 20 request was more than $2 million.

Here's what happens next:

At the June 30 membership meeting, members will vote by secret ballot about whether to authorize the Guild leadership to begin negotiations. Members will need to be present to vote. A simple majority will carry the vote.

Here's what happens after that:

If members vote no, the Guild will not negotiate. If that occurs, the company has said it would accomplish the savings it needs through newsroom layoffs of Guild members.

If the members vote yes, a negotiating team would be formed. These negotiations, while not as sweeping as normal contract talks, would be similar. Both sides will exchange proposals. While the company has proposed a way it wants to accomplish savings, the Guild would craft its own proposals that could include other ideas. Negotiations are a back and forth process.

If and when a tentative agreement is reached between the Guild and the company, that agreement would come to the membership for a vote. Members would decide whether to accept or reject the agreement.