The Boston Globe reached a tentative deal with the largest of its labour unions early on Wednesday, averting the shutdown of the New York Times-owned newspaper.

Details of the agreement, which will be disclosed to the 600-member newspaper guild on Thursday, were not furnished, the Globe said in a statement. The Times had demanded $10m in cuts from the guild (union) and $20m overall, and the relaxing of lifetime employment agreements with 190 of its members.