The Albany Newspaper Guild membership unanimously approved an agreement of the voluntary separation incentive program with the Times Union Thursday night October 17, 2024 during a special meeting.

Under the terms of the agreement, unit members have until 5 p.m. Friday, October 18, 2024 to apply for the buyout.

The extension of the application date, agreement on the separation language, appeal to Publisher George R. Hearst III if an application is rejected and payout of accumulated time were among the features of the buyout agreement.

Anyone taking the buyout will receive from 13 to 52 weeks of pay and an equivalent amount of health insurance. The payout is based on length of service at the Times Union.

Members were reminded that if their applications were accepted and they rejected it they would be considered to have resigned. The Guild was advised by its attorney that this would be considered legal.

Anyone who rejects the buyout after being accepted and is dismissed could sue the Times Union under the federal Older Workers Protection Act.

During the meeting, discussion was held about the number of applications made so far by Guild members and exempt managers, the tax implications, receiving accumulated time off and health insurance.

Any questions about the buyout should be directed to Local President Ken Crowe by email at ken@albanyguild.org or by calling him at 518-505-0610. He will be available Friday, October 18, 2024 to answer questions.

All buyout applications are due by 5 p.m. Friday October 18, 2024 at the Human Resources Office using the form supplied by the Times Union.

Approved for Posting: KCCII, 10/17/24

The Albany Newspaper Guild membership and Executive Board met Thursday, October 10, 2024 to discuss the Times Union’s offer of voluntary buyouts to reduce the size of the staff.

President Ken Crowe briefed the membership on the current situation and the local’s concerns about The Older Workers Benefit Protection Act not being followed. The Guild has consulted its Barbara Camens, the TNG-CWA attorney, who has worked closely with our local over the years.

The Executive Board’s major concern is the legal protection of our members.

About 50 percent of the local’s members are covered by the OWBPA which applies to workers 40 or more years old.

The board authorized Crowe to take any action necessary. He said he would advise the board before any steps are taken.

The Guild is actively bargaining with the Times Union over the buyout proposal.

While the company has set a deadline it must bargain in good faith with the Guild and deadlines cannot be unilaterally insisted upon.

FRIDAY TALKS
Crowe and Publisher George Hearst met via a telephone call on Friday, October 11, 2024, to continue discussions on the buyout.

The Guild formally requested the proposed separation agreement, which it was advised it is legally entitled to receive. This was done to ensure members will be aware of what they may be signing and for the Guild to bargain on. The Guild has been reviewing prior separation agreements that have been made since 2011.

Crowe advised Hearst that the Guild has legal concerns about the termination of an employee who rejects the offer after applying for it. Talks are expected to continue next week.

Regarding the contract, these talks remained off the record. There was a wide-ranging discussion on the health insurance coverage and salaries. The Guild leadership and stewards has contacted the entire unit membership which has made it clear it wants to see annual contractual raises.

Both sides agreed that a schedule of meetings should be set to reach a new contract. The Guild has stressed to members that it would like to complete bargaining by the end of October.

Approved for posting: KCCII

An informational meeting will be held for the Albany Newspaper Guild membership at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, regarding the Times Union’s voluntary separation package.

The meeting will run concurrently with the monthly Executive Board meeting.

President Ken Crowe will provide an update on his Wednesday telephone discussions with Publisher George Hearst.

There also will be a discussion of advice received from TNG-CWA Counsel Barbara Camens.

The meeting will be held via Zoom. The link to join Zoom meeting has been emailed to all of our members.