The Newspaper Guild of Rochester has reached a new labor agreement with the Democrat and Chronicle’s parent company, Gannett Co. Inc., ending a period of nearly 16 years without a contract.

The union, which represents 90 reporters, photographers, copy editors, multimedia journalists and artists at the Democrat and Chronicle, voted to accept the two-year contract on Tuesday.

“Given the turmoil and challenges in the newspaper industry today, this is no small feat,” said Steve Orr, president of Local 17, Newspaper Guild of Rochester.

“We have workplace rules that cannot be changed on a whim. We have the ability to question unfair decisions without fear of retribution, which is more than many other newspaper employees across the country can say,” Orr said.

In early June, Gannett announced it would freeze its employee pension plan but enhance the 401(k) for its 46,000 employees. Union approval of the freeze was required, and the Rochester Guild took the opportunity to negotiate other matters, ending an 18-month bargaining hiatus.

SDOBBIN@DemocratandChronicle.com