news
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Guild Inspects Plant Cleaning
Albany Newspaper Guild reps toured the main office on Albany Shaker Road Thursday with Dan Couto, vice president of operations, to see how the deep cleaning has gone to prepare for going back inside.
Renee Bernard, Jeff Boyer and Ken Crowe formed the Guild team that did the hour-long walk through.
Renee and Jeff have been working inside throughout the coronavirus pandemic. They had insights into the cleaning as they’ve observed as it occurred over the last several months.
The company doesn’t have a firm date for when the first group of Guild-represented employees would return. It appears the earliest it might happen is after Labor Day for the Copy Desk to train on a new editorial system.
Couto pointed out the new signs that will direct people wear to walk; the limits of two people inside a bathroom; the six-foot social distancing between desks; the limit of one person in the elevator and that the stairs at the rear of editorial and by the Hearst Media Center entrance will be for going upstairs only. You will go downstairs by using the stairs near the main entrance. You will be able to exit the building through the lobby.
The company has installed new filters in the HVAC system that meet the standards NYS set for malls to have to reopen.
About half of the desks throughout the building cannot be used. There will overflow space for editorial employees in the business office and for advertising employees in the recruitment office.
Managers who have offices will move into their offices.
The coffee makers and microwave ovens remain in the break rooms. Toasters and toaster ovens have been removed.
Seating at conference tables has been limited.
The company is planning to hand out kits — sort of a welcome back gift — with masks, thermometers and hand sanitizer.
As part of the return, Hearst has launched a companywide Smartphone App which will be used to report your COVID-19 status. The Guild has informed Publisher George Hearst it doesn’t oppose the App but has reserved its legal rights and submitted detailed questions regarding the equipment’s use.
You can see the App on MyHearst.com.
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Guild reaches ‘common sense’ agreement on clean desk policy, addresses other issues
The Guild held a Joint Standing Committee July 2 with Times Union management that covered a number of topics impacting every department.
President Mandy Fries led the discussion held with Publisher George Hearst and other managers. Mandy was joined by Vice President Ken Crowe, Treasurer Jayson McKenna and Chief Steward Rob Gavin. Both sides continued to build on a history of reaching reasonable understanding.
Return to work and clean desk policy
The Times Union has tentative plans to bring about 30 people back to work in the main plant on Albany Shaker Road on Monday July 27. This is a tentative date. Managers of various departments will be the first to return. Some employees from advertising, circulation and editorial could also be in that group.
We’ll be notified of who is scheduled to go back. There would be a phased return to bring more people about two to three weeks later.
The Times Union is considering using an App for each of us to report in on health questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic before coming into the office each day.
Guild representatives will do a walk-through before July 27 that will be arranged with Dan Couto, who heads operations and is in charge of keeping the workplace safe from coronavirus. There will be an immediate report posted on the walk-through when it is completed.
Publisher George Hearst said as part of the cleaning upgrades, the company will be installing improved air filters to scrub the air. This is similar to what Gov. Andrew Cuomo says has to be done at malls.
The Guild and the Company have agreed on a “Common Sense” approach to a clean desk policy. The original proposal was to discipline employees up to and including being fired if you don’t clean your desk off before heading home. Now, if you don’t clean your desk off, everything will be thrown away to give the cleaners the cleared space for a thorough cleaning.
The CLEAN DESK is necessary to combat potential spread of the coronavirus.
Remember, if you don’t clean your desk you lose everything that isn’t computer or telephone equipment. If you leave behind notes for a story, they’re gone. A fantastic sales plan, it’s gone.
The CLEAN DESK Policy is a reasonable agreement where the employee is placed first. There is no discipline for failing to clear your desk each day. But, if you fail to clear the desk, you will lose what’s on it.
Circulation department and depots
Chief Steward Rob Gavin and President Mandy Fries worked on circulation issues over the last several weeks. Particularly difficult work was done in dealing with issues related to a manager’s interaction with Guild-represented employees.
The Times Union has directed the companies responsible for the Kingston and North Greenbush depots to clean any mold. District managers brought mold issues to the Guild’s attention. Also in Kingston, toiletries and supplies for the bathrooms and depot have been delivered.
There’s been issues with a manager in the Circulation Department who is in charge of the circulation customer service reps who have the demanding work of keeping Times Union members – the subscribers in the pre-digital era – happy and on board.
Circulation VP Todd Peterson and Human Resources Director Ruth Fantasia are working with this manager to improve communication and other skills that will lead to an improved working environment in which ALL reps are treated with respect.
Remember, if there are issues in your department, contact your co-workers in the Guild leadership or activists so we can resolve the situation.
Work at home expenses
The Guild and the Times Union continued discussions about company contributions to pay for bona fide business-related expenses that have popped up since we started working from home.
The Company reaffirmed its long-standing practice of reimbursing employees for bona fide business-related expenses, and cited contract Section 22 (expenses).
Diversity discussion
Guild members also met virtually Wednesday to discuss opportunities for making the Times Union more diverse and inclusive, both internally and externally with our coverage.
The group of about 10 Guild members came up with several ideas that we will be fine-tuning in the coming weeks to later present to management.
If you were unable to attend and want to provide input, please reach out to the Guild at office@albanyguild.org. We will be sharing the finalized recommendations in the future.
Organizational charts
The Guild now has a set of organizational charts provided by the Company showing the management setup and the managers each of us reports to while at work.
Questions?
If you have any questions or issues, please contact the Guild office at office@AlbanyGuild.org. We will be in touch.
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Guild Seeks Joint Committee Meeting on Major Issues
President Mandy Fries sent Publisher George Hearst a request for a Joint Standing Committee meeting on several topics that could have a dramatic impact on all of us. We have provided George an agenda that will address issues brought forward by the Guild and the Company.
Reaching tentative agreements may result in holding a membership vote.
Clean Desk Policy
The Company has proposed a Clean Desk Policy to make it easier to clean desks. The policy at first glance calls for draconian discipline if you forget and leave something from a piece of paper to a notebook or something else on your desk. It doesn’t address if you leave something behind if sent out on an assignment or have to leave due to an emergency.
You could be fired if your desk isn’t pristine.
The Guild wants a common sense approach so no one is at risk of being fired in this proposal that would change the terms and conditions of our employment. We have consulted with the International on this issue and have been provided advice.
As part of this discussion, the Guild will ask for an update on the return to working at the main plant. The Company cancelled the July 1 meetings with employees to discuss the situation.
Cellphone Contribution
At the request of Publisher George Hearst, the Guild submitted a proposal on June 15 for the Times Union to make a contribution of $50 toward cell phone reimbursement for employees who never received such a contribution before.
The Guild has urged the Company for several months to make this contribution. About half the unit, or 60 people, have been using their equipment without such a payment. The Guild earlier this year convinced the Times Union to upgrade the contribution paid to the sales force so it was equal to those receiving a payment in editorial.
Further Concerns Follow OSHA Complaint
The Company recently was cited by OSHA for third-party contractors allegedly not wearing face masks at the North Greenbush depot.
In an effort to ensure the health and safety of all our members, the Guild canvassed district managers to determine if there were any other concerns. Some employees expressed concern of mold at the new Kingston depot as well as the North Greenbush depot where our district managers work. In addition, Chief Steward Rob Gavin has been investigating the apparent lack of toiletries and cleaning at the Kingston depot. We believe that the Company and the Guild should conduct a joint inspection of all depots to ensure they are clean and safe.
Commission Plans
We requested written copies of commission plans for each department during an April 16 Joint Committee meeting. We have requested this information in previous meetings extending back into the summer of 2019.
We also have concerns that salespeople are receiving commission information for the current sales period (month) a week or more after it has begun.
Organizational Chart
The Guild requested this information as far back as early March when we learned of the Company hiring another management position on the Times Union’s digital team that had not been part of earlier discussions on the team’s expansion. We sought the information again during an April 16 meeting, and have brought it up in subsequent meetings. The Company said this information would be provided.
Circulation Department Manager
The Guild has fielded several complaints in recent months regarding the hostile work environment created by a Circulation Department manager. This has been an ongoing issue. The Guild has provided the Company copies of emails which show that the employees have been doing their work and have continuously pointed out to the manager that issues were resolved.
Membership Vote
We will have to conduct a membership vote on a proposed clean desk policy. The Guild would like to use the Times Union parking lot to facilitate that vote.
The ballot may also include language for a bylaws change to permit holding online voting. This is done in locals that represent the Associated Press and the Wall Street Journal, for example.
In addition, the Executive Board will determine if the election can be held to fill the vacant position of local secretary.
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Back to the office? Not quite yet
The company doesn’t have a date for returning to the office after leaving in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. But the week of June 22 has tentatively been set for us to go inside the plant in small groups to collect items from our desks.
Guild President Mandy Fries, Treasurer Jayson McKenna and Vice President Ken Crowe held a telephone conference call Tuesday, June 9 with Publisher George Hearst, Human Resources Director Ruth Fantasia and Operations vice President Dan Couto to discuss the status of moving back in.
Dan said there’s no set date. George also emphasized that.
Plans still call for a four-phase move in. Some of our members have continued to work inside. The building has been thoroughly cleaned. That’s one reason we’re supposed to make a quick trip in. For the future, the company wants to have a clean desk policy. Our Executive Board is reviewing the proposed policy at the June meeting. We’ll be updating you on that in the near future.
The company’s plans for the return are under review by corporate down in The Hearst Tower in New York City. Dan said they’ve reviewed the 286 desks and work stations. There may be close to 100 moves as the company seeks to establish social distancing.
Most of the furniture from the conference rooms has been removed. There will be arrows on the floors – just like the grocery store – to maintain social distancing in tight areas. The hallways will have two-way traffic. Masks will have to be worn in common areas such as the hallways. Personal protection equipment will be available. Ruth said Dan’s been stockpiling PPE since we moved out.
The bathrooms and heating and cooling systems are functioning properly. There are touchless paper towel and soap dispensers in the bathrooms.
It’s unknown if the company will want to take temperatures.
The company intends to clean thoroughly each day.
As we learn more, we will provide additional updates.
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Another $350 available for TU employees working outside the home
Have you had to work outside your home?
Have you had to work at the Times Union’s main office during stay-at-home orders?
The Company informed the Albany Newspaper Guild on Tuesday that they intend to provide another round of $350 lump sum payments, which management is referring to as a “bonus,” for those who have had to work outside the home April 15, 2020 through June 9, 2020.
Those who received payments during the first iteration of this, which was described as a “one-time payment” by the Company previously, will also be eligible for this second round.
The Guild wants to make sure all employees who have worked outside the home are recognized and receive this payment. If you believe you may qualify for this “bonus,” make sure to have the following information ready:
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When did you work outside the home? List specific dates.
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Why couldn’t this work be done inside the home?
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Is your direct supervisor aware of this?
Please contact the Guild and let us know if you think you might merit this pay, and we can help make sure to get this benefit. Email office@albanyguild.org.
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