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Author Archives: Albany Newspaper Guild
Off-the-record talks on contract prove fruitless
For the past several months, the Guild has been quietly meeting with the Company in the hope of bringing to an end the years of stalled negotiations and to finally get employees the long overdue raises they deserve.
For legal reasons, the talks have remained off the record – which means their contents cannot be disclosed – to avoid the possibility of the Company being able to impose a new set of changes.
On Thursday, it became clear that those talks, despite the Guild’s best efforts, would not yield an acceptable agreement at this time. No further talks are currently scheduled.
Guild President Tim O’Brien was joined in the talks by Treasurer Marianne Mahr, Chief Steward Brian Nearing and International Representative Jim Schaufenbil.
“We have been and continue to be willing to offer flexibility on the issues of out-of-seniority layoffs and outsourcing,” O’Brien said. “We have offered all kinds of compromises. But our members deserve and need a say in such decisions.”
At a time when the Chicago Sun-Times saw fit to lay off every photographer, and when ad sales people are understandably nervous about Local Edge encroaching on sales, it would make no sense to surrender bargaining rights on outsourcing.
Likewise, the Guild was and is willing to offer flexibility in layoffs. We even would be willing to explore the idea of laying off out of seniority in return for enhanced severance for those who would suffer a pension hit. Unfortunately, under the law, if you agree to such a change, the Company could come to the table at the next negotiations, say it wants to keep the ability to lay off whomever it pleases but eliminate the enhanced severance. The Company could then legally impose that change. It cannot legally impose giving itself unfettered rights to lay off anyone without members’ consent now.
“Our members continue to be better off under the imposed conditions,” O’Brien said. “We remain willing to talk whenever the Company is willing to be flexible, and our members remain deserving of raises they have been denied for far too long.”
June’s Executive Board meeting agenda
There will be a meeting of Local 34’s Executive Board at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 13 at the Labor Temple. As always, these meetings are open to the membership.
Executive Board Agenda
- Approval of minutes
- Treasurer’s report
- Monthly update
- Commission committee
- Communications committee
- Newsletter
- Website
- Mobilizing committee
- Grievances and arbitrations
- Contract negotiations
- Health Care
- Solidarity/support for other unions
- Old business
- Issues in Advertising
- District Manager concerns
- New business
- Set date for next election
- Adjourn
May’s Executive Board meeting agenda
There will be a meeting of Local 34’s Executive Board at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 9 at the Labor Temple. As always, these meetings are open to the membership.
Executive Board Agenda
- Approval of minutes
- Treasurer’s report
- Monthly update
- Commission committee
- Communications committee
- Newsletter
- Website
- Mobilizing committee
- Grievances and arbitrations
- Contract negotiations
- Solidarity/support for other unions
- Old business
- Catering and Insurance for the Summer Picnic
- Issues in Advertising
- District Manager concerns
- New business
- Annual contribution to the Solidarity Committee of the Capital District
- Adjourn
April’s Executive Board meeting agenda
There will be a meeting of Local 34’s Executive Board at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 11 at the Labor Temple. As always, these meetings are open to the membership.
Executive Board Agenda
- Approval of minutes
- Treasurer’s report
- Monthly update
- Commission committee
- Communications committee
- Newsletter
- Website
- Mobilizing committee
- Cash Mob promotion
- Grievances and arbitrations
- Contract negotiations
- Solidarity/support for other unions
- Old business
- Catering and Insurance for the Summer Picnic
- Issues in Advertising
- District Manager concerns
- New business
- Adjourn
Tim Wilkin may be out of the bobblehead contest but he is still a winner to us!
We’re disappointed Tim was eliminated from the TriCity ValleyCats’ media bobblehead tournament. Tim had pledged to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
To honor his efforts, the Guild is donating $100 in Tim’s name to the cause of finding a cure for cancer. He may be out of the running, but he’s still an inspiration to us.
If you’d like to donate too, you can do so online at cancer.org or by mail to American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.
Tuesday is the day: Join us as we thank our advertiser
The Newspaper Guild of Albany is launching a new campaign to support those who support us.
Please stop by Roma Foods between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9. It is at 9 Cobbee Road just off Route 9 in Latham. Buy Italian groceries, pick up lunch or dinner, and thank owner Frank Bolognino for his longtime support for Times Union workers.