A proposal by the Mercury News to suspend vacation accural for four months to save the paper $195,000 has not been well received by Guild negotiators, according to the union’s website. “This issue remains undecided, but we have made members’ dissatisfaction with the proposal loud and clear,” the Guild leadership said on the website.

The Guild said its latest proposal to the Merc includes:

• A 2% wage increase beginning June 30, 2011. 

• Restoration of the company’s 401(k) match. 

• An 18-month contract expiring June 4, 2012. 

• Opposition to the company’s proposal for a five-day unpaid furlough.

Union negotiators also said they reached a tentative agreement that would allow some cross-over work between photographers and reporters, but would provide guarantees that such work is voluntary and employees only would be judged on their primary skill.