July 10, 2009
We lost 14 Guild members over a 2-day period, and almost all of them were duespayers. On Friday we will begin the process of making sure those names are removed from the payroll deduction list. Guild officers also have begun to dissect the layoff list to check it against seniority guidelines as outlined by our contract, and to ensure that severance is paid out without any tricks or traps.
I want to personally express my condolences to those who were terminated. Some, I got to say goodbye to over the phone or in person today. Others, I did not. Those who are “left behind” are at a loss to come to grips with the unnecessary cuts and at the same time are skeptical of our own future. No matter what excellence we produce journalistically, anyone’s number could come up the next time corporate wants to slash payroll.
I also want to again publicly express my dismay that James Keough, VP of HR, on this day of all days, asked me this afternoon when the Guild was ready to resume negotiations. I told him we are in a state of shock; our contract bargaining team took a hit. We lost news researcher Sylvia Halladay, who was a devoted, dutiful, irreplaceable record-keeper whose meticulous notes kept management accountable for over five years. Her attention to detail made her an absolutely top-notch Guild secretary. She was also a vital secretary on the contract negotiation team, and we cannot continue until we find a replacement. Holding an election fror Syl’s replacement will be an even more burdensome task as we lost Renee Petrina, an up-and-coming Guild member who co-coordinated our June 30 contract vote so ably; and Michelle Watson, a steward, was the E-inkling and print Inkling copy editor and yet another wise hand who attended EVERY bargaining session during contract talks and was committed to making the Star a great workplace.
We’ll have more in coming days as we try to make adjustments. Wishing everybody the best –
Tom Spalding
Guild president
July 8, 2009
Based on an e-mail all of us Gannett properties received last week, we expect some bad news to strike the newsroom by Thursday, with the possibility (based on reports on various blogs) that some employees could receive word of a layoff as early as this evening. Your Guild has tried to become part of the process, including requesting that the actual number of layoffs be reduced by requesting that the Indy Star “count” staffers who had already planned to exit. We also asked for details in advance, but were told that we will have to ferret that information out on our own. We intend to do precisely that, and you can help by letting us know what you hear.
Also, this afternoon Guild president Tom Spalding sent the following letter to Indy Star VP/human resources James Keough:
This is an information request filed on behalf of the members of the Indianapolis News Guild Local 34070. We are seeking the following information as soon as possible:
- The names and titles of all Guild-covered employees whose jobs are being terminated by July 9, 2009 as part of the layoffs announced last week by Bob Dickey. You are welcome to provide those to us at this e-mail address, individually, or to me by cell phone (340-7836) after each of the affected workers is notified.
- The approximate total amount of savings that these cuts of Guild members will generate.
- The manner in which the company intends to pay out severance. To remind you, our contract calls for one week of pay for each year of seniority in the event of layoff. New Gannett spokeswoman Robin Pence confirmed to Gannettoid in an e-mail that the company has hired Total Management Solutions to handle severance payments for this round of layoffs.
Like before, when the dust settles the Guild intends to be heavily involved — both in ensuring seniority is followed but also staying in immediate contact with our coworkers who are let go. Guild officers plan to meet Thursday afternoon to discuss if there’s a way to mitigate the damage.
Meanwhile, we know many of you have angst, and we sought to quantify that angst. Consider these ugly statistics:
- Aug. 15, 2008: The first official company announcement of layoffs. Layoff day occurred Aug 19.
- Oct. 28, 2008: Another announcement of layoffs. Layoff day occurred Dec. 3, about five weeks later.
- Jan. & Apr. 2009: Furlough votes for 1Q and 2Q respectively. We were threatened with layoffs if we didn’t agree to the unpaid furloughs.
- Beginning of June, 2009: July layoffs were leaked on Gannett Blog. That’s about five weeks from when they are to actually occur.
So, there have been about 11 weeks total within the past 42 weeks that we’ve been in the middle of being threatened with being laid off. That’s 1/4th of the time. That’s a significant percentage of the past several months that we’ve been right in the middle of being threatened with being laid off. That’s not a good thing.
From a guild perspective, we’re at a historically bad moment right now — a voted-down contract June 30 and a company that has threatened 15% pay cuts if negotiations go to impasse, with layoffs going on at the same time. Really, it’s a crisis on several fronts. Guild membership, however, is at a historically high level – the highest percentage in the past five years, possibly one of the highest percentages in the past 20 years, and quite a few people have been very active with the union. We have a healthy guild in extraordinarily unhealthy times. This guild would have had a harder time weathering this storm several years ago. We thank you for your solidarity.
July 2, 2009
Gannett has contacted the representative from the international Newspaper Guild who will present our case in the arbitration for seven employees laid off in December, seeking to postpone the hearing set for July 28. The lawyer for Gannett contacted our representative the morning after our membership voted 97-9 to reject the company’s contract offer and its demand that the Guild drop the arbitration. The lawyer for Gannett said he needs more time to prepare.
The Guild officers instructed our representative to stenuously oppose this postponement. Our position is the company has known for six months this arbitration was coming and that is more than enough time to prepare. We asked him to stress to the arbitrator that we are representing seven employees who were improperly laid off seven months ago, creating a severe financial hardship for all of them. We are prepared and ready to proceed July 28.
Our representative informed us he expects the arbitrator to grant a reasonable postponement regardless of the Guild’s opposition. At this point, we await the arbitrator’s decision.
July 2, 2009
Guild officers met with James Keough of Human Resources on Thursday afternoon to offer to determine whether any Guild members wanted to volunteer for the upcoming layoffs in order to preserve the jobs of co-workers. The Guild did this for the layoffs in December. Four long-time employees volunteered to be laid off to allow less senior employees to keep their jobs. The company informed the Guild it is not interested in volunteers for the upcoming layoffs.
June 30, 2009
The membership of the Indianapolis Newspaper Guild voted 97-9 today to reject a two-year contract proposal originally put forth by the company April 15. Because this was not a last, final offer the union bargaining team looks forward to resuming negotiations with representatives of Gannett and reaching a deal that is acceptable to both the company and to the journalists and building services workers committed to making the Indianapolis Star the best it can be.
June 30, 2009
- What: Secret-ballot vote on Gannett’s two-year contract offer
- When: Tuesday, June 30, noon-8 p.m.
- Where: Musicians Hall, across from Star parking garage, 325 N. Delaware St., Downtown Indy
This is just a reminder to set aside 5 to 15 minutes today and get to the polls any time during the eight-hour window. Cast your vote; I don’t care if it’s a “yes” or a “no” on the company’s deal — just use the election process to have your say. The country is watching, and we’ll let the trade pubs like E&P and local media like IBJ know the results later tonight … so let’s show them a great turnout!
For the Guild CWA Local 34070
Tom Spalding, president
(317) 340-7836
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Here’s a round-up of the significant changes:
- Permanent pay cut of 12 percent (8 percent cut July 1, 4 percent cut Oct. 1) for all Guild-represented employees.
- Employees whose pay would drop below the federal minimum wage with a 12 percent pay cut will be reduced only to the federal minimum wage.
- No pay increases for the term of the contract (two years from date of signing.)
- Minimum rates of pay steps remain in the contract but are reduced 12 percent and go dormant. Employees in the steps will not receive their automatic step increases during the term of the contract.
- Merit pool language remains in the contract but goes dormant. No merit pay increases for Guild-represented employees for the term of the contract.
- Regarding advertorial content, adds language to allow the Publisher flexibility to assign Guild members “traditional and non-traditional tasks.” Requires the Publisher to “be cognizant of and sensitive to its policy relating to ethics and conflicts of interest.” Side letter to the contract states in part, “the parties are in agreement that the Company’s current ethics policy does not allow editorial employees to produce advertorial copy.”
- In the event of layoffs, the company will consider seniority as the first factor along with individual skills and abilities and an employee’s performance and disciplinary history. The Guild gives up the right to grieve or seek arbitration on individual layoffs. We do have the right to grieve and arbitrate if the company ignores seniority or fails to use the criteria properly overall.
- Positions currently covered by the Guild contract (Graphics/Design: Day Design Editor, Night Design Editor; Digital Central, Calendar Editor) become exempt from all provisions of the contract.
- 10 positions become exempt from the overtime provision but still are covered by all other provisions of the contract (Cartoonist, Sports Columnist, Public Service Columnist, Conversations Central Columnist, On The Town Columnist, IU Sports Beat, Motor Sports Beat, Pacers Beat, Colts Beat, Sports Special Projects Beat.)
- On roundtrips of 100 miles or more, if an employee requests to use his/her own car rather than a company vehicle, the company will reimburse for actual fuel expenses only rather than the company’s fixed mileage rate.
- The paraprofessional job designation will cover calendar clerks, production liaisons and similar positions. Paraprofessionals may write stories of an uncomplicated nature.
- Changes the length of time the company has to give another day off to employees whose regular day off falls on a holiday from two weeks to up to 27 days.
- In addition to these contract changes: The Guild must withdraw its arbitration against the company on behalf of seven members laid off in December, 2008. The arbitration is scheduled to be heard July 28.
All other provisions of the current contract are unchanged.
Click here to download a PDF copy of the entire proposed contract
Results will be posted here on our Web site. You can also get the latest updates by following us on our Twitter account @indynewsguild.
June 24, 2009
The Indianapolis Newspaper Guild is reminding you to request an absentee ballot if you aren’t sure you’ll be here for the JUNE 30 vote — the vote is one week from today. [So far we've sent out 25!]. Wednesday June 24 is the deadline to request a ballot so you can get it in the mail to us quickly … so e-mail Tom Spalding at indystar68@yahoo.com to get yours delivered to you. We want 100% turnout. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to make your voice heard!
And for non-duespayers, this is a GREAT time to sign up. E-mail Tom at the same address.
Also: An information session is set for this Sunday, June 28, 2-4 p.m., Musicians Hall
Background, as always, on indynewsguild.com!
In solidarity, the News Guild contract team.
June 17, 2009
The Indianapolis Newspaper Guild is reminding you to request an absentee ballot if you aren’t sure you’ll be here for the JUNE 30 vote — that’s two weeks from today. [So far we've sent out 13]. You’ve only got a week until the deadline to request a ballot, so e-mail Tom Spalding at indystar68@yahoo.com to get yours delivered to you. We want 100% turnout. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to make your voice heard! And for non-duespayers, this is a GREAT time to sign up. E-mail Tom at the same address. In solidarity, the News Guild contract team.
June 13, 2009
The Indianapolis Newspaper Guild today officially scheduled a membership vote for Tuesday, June 30, on the company’s proposal for a two-year contract. Officers this afternoon mailed out details of the voting process to all Guild duespayers. We will be taking absentee ballots by mail, so even if you cannot be here in person you can get your say.
It’s important, as you educate yourself on the 35-page proposal over the next 2-1/2 weeks, that you understand this is entirely management’s proposal. The Guild negotiating committee mitigated several concerns, but committee members still cannot endorse this contract proposal.
You should also know that the company has told us repeatedly that if the Guild membership rejects this proposal, future company offers are not going to get any better. The Guild bargaining committee, however, believes that improvements can be made that would make the package better and more likely to be acceptable to membership, and yet still acceptable to the company. Therefore, if the membership votes “no” we stand ready to return to the bargaining table. We also have twice requested info on the company’s financial condition so that membership can make an informed decision on the financial sacrifices we are being asked to make. The company has yet to share this information. Keep reading →
June 9, 2009
Guild officers and stewards will be meeting at 12:30 p.m. this Wednesday at the Musicians Hall to pick a suitable date to hold an “information session” as well as an election. We also have to establish how we’ll mail out absentee ballots to duespayers, since the election regarding Gannett’s two-year contract offer will likely be scheduled around the busy July 4 holiday, when several people will be out of town. All Guild officers are moving as swiftly but carefully as we can, given some legal requirements and logistical hurdles. You should know that the Guild crafted and assembled a 35-page contract proposal that, as of today, is now in the company’s hands. We want to ensure there are no misunderstandings prior to a vote.
