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.

The Guild presented a proposal to the Times Union on Monday, October 7, 2024, to provide improved incentives and protections for members who are interested in the company’s Special Voluntary Severance Package.

The Guild proposed increasing the minimum payment to 15 weeks salary from 13 weeks salary, similar to the terms of the last buyout agreement negotiated in 2020. Under the Guild’s proposal people with more than 26 years’ experience would receive an additional $1,000 per year of experience.

This would impact 15 members and be closer to the contract severance language of a maximum of 62 weeks of pay. The Company offered a maximum payment of 52 weeks’ pay.

The Guild’s proposal included the addition of commissions and differentials to the salary calculations.

The Guild also advised the Company that it is illegal to include a provision in the buyout package which states that if an employee does not sign the severance agreement after applying for it, they would be considered to have resigned and receive no buyout. This provision violates statutory protections for older workers who are given a specific time period to review a final separation offer from an employer.

The Guild wants the Company to adhere to those legal requirements safeguarding employees who apply for the buyout package and subsequently change their minds, with the employees retaining their employment.

The Guild’s proposal included providing employees who take the buyout to have the option of receiving 50 percent of the health insurance premium in cash in lieu of coverage.

Further, the Guild seeks to ensure that a “non-compete” clause will not be included in the separation agreement.

Any employee who has their buyout application rejected would have the option to meet with Publisher George R. Hearst III to discuss the decision.

The Company said it would respond to the Guild’s proposals by Tuesday afternoon. A buyout severance package must be negotiated. When a tentative agreement is reached, it will be presented to the membership for a ratification vote.

The Guild was represented by President Ken Crowe, Vice President David Johnson and Chief Steward Wendy Liberatore. The Company was represented by Publisher George R. Hearst III and Human Resources Executive Director Melinda Jermison.

Approved for Posting, KCCII, 10/7/24