Newspapers’ machinist union OKs contract

The machinist union with the Inquirer and Daily News voted Sunday morning to approve a contract with the prospective new owners of the local papers.

The vote by the machinists, which was approved 28-4, means 15 of the 16 unions representing employees at the papers have reached contracts with Philadelphia Media Network Inc., a collection of 16 financial institutions that purchased parent company of the papers at at auction in April for $139 million.

The remaining union without a contract, Teamster Local 628 which represents the newspapers' drivers, votes on a new contract Sunday afternoon.

If the drivers approve a new contract, Philadelphia Media is scheduled to close on its purchase Tuesday. Upon closing, Philadelphia Media will own the Inquirer, the Daily News and the website, Philly.com.

If the drivers fail to approve the contract, Philadelphia Media has the right to walk away from the deal to buy the properties.