A message from the President

It’s with a heavy heart that I bring you the latest newsletter as it contains notice of the Company’s plans to lay off two part-time Guild employees who currently staff the reception desk in the Times Union lobby. 

While I recognize the business decision behind this, it flies in the face of the Company’s continued efforts to boost its management ranks. 

I also recognize how the Company’s actions continue to deplete employee morale and fuel uncertainty in a business already plagued with unknowns, and have expressed this strongly to management.

While the Company has created one new Guild-protected position, it has elected to hire another management position for the Times Union newsroom’s digital team and promoted one Guild-member to management on the print side of the newsroom. 

The third management editor post on the digital team came as a surprise as management did not discuss this during last year’s talks about expanding digital operations. While this may be their right, it does not promote transparency and collaboration between the Company and its employees, nor does it encourage growth among the current staff. This management position is on top of another digital hire bargained with the Guild last year, director of audience, which the Company plans to fill. 

Management also informed the Guild they do not plan to fill a Guild-protected position bargained with the Executive Board last year, the position of data/business and intelligence analyst on the TU’s digital team. 

We have requested the Company provide updated organizational charts for all Times Union departments. 

We also are reviewing the recent communication from the Hearst Corporation to provide one-time bonuses to rank-and-file employees across Hearst-owned newspapers. The Guild is evaluating this and other matters with our International Guild representative and former Albany Guild President Melissa Nelson. 

International Guild President Jon Schleuss who visited us in January has pledged his full support to the Guild and recognizes the local’s longstanding legacy. 

I could not think of a better time for all of us to unite and be working together for a better workplace because there is certainly power
in numbers.

Yours in solidarity,

Amanda Fries
President, Albany Newspaper Guild

Company seeks to layoff 2 part-time Guild members, creates new position

The Company intends to lay off two part-time Guild employees who have been the face of the Times Union for visitors to the building on Albany-Shaker Road.

We are meeting with the Company on Friday to discuss the situation.

The Company said it is taking these measures to reduce costs, and will be setting up a self-service lobby at the Hearst Media Center entrance where visitors can drop off payments and connect with any department or person they are here to meet. In the same breath, the Times Union would like to create a new Guild position, marketing analyst. Management says this position would analyze advertising and marketing data and advise on the most “lucrative targets” and possible new products. We agreed to this new job title.

The Company also sought to amend the titles of two Guild members, which the Guild’s Executive Board refused to accept. The company didn’t want to upgrade the salaries for the titles in the contract. The Guild sees this approach as a roundabout way of reasoning providing select individuals with raises while thwarting the contract 120 employees continue to work under. We always encourage and support merit raises for our Guild members, but do not believe it should be done under the caveat of a title change.

Guild works with Company on preventative measures amid coronavirus outbreak

As residents test positive for the novel coronavirus in the Capital Region, the Guild is working with the Company to ensure employees are protected during the outbreak.

Talks are ongoing on how the company will ensure employees are not penalized if they are infected by COVID-19, including provisions that ensure Times Union employees can work from home and have enough paid sick time to cover extended absences.

The Company has indicated to the Guild that managers are still identifying essential employees (those who must report to the Times Union building) while updating its disaster recovery plan.

Vice President Ken Crowe will serve as our point person on the coronavirus. If you have questions, suggestions or issues contact Ken via phone or text at 518-505-0610 or email at croweken@hotmail.com.

Guild member promotion leaves vacancy on Executive Board

The Executive Board and all Guild members bid Lauren Stanforth, who served on the board as secretary, a good luck in her new post as suburban editor of the newsroom at the Times Union. Stanforth has accepted the promotion to lead a

group of reporters in the newsroom as suburban editor, which took effect March 8.

This means the Guild is looking for a fresh face to fill the position on the Executive Board. The role of secretary is vital in keeping records of all Guild functions and helping to advance the overall mission of the Guild.

The secretary not only keeps diligent notes during Board meetings, but is a voting member on the Executive Board. This is an opportunity to have your voice heard and help the Guild build its public presence through public posting of meeting minutes and agendas, revival of social media pages and offering up ideas to advance our goals. Those interested can reach out to office@albanyguild.org to learn more on how to get involved. The date, time and location of an annual Guild meeting to have a special vote for the secretary position will be announced later.

Recommendations for in-person sexual harassment training, additional measures offered

The Guild has recommended the Times Union host an in-person sexual harassment training course for managers and employees through SHRM, or a similar program.

Along with this in-person training, we have also emphasized additional measures that should be taken to ensure a harassment-free and inclusive workplace, including designating a Human Resources official to handle all complaints, creating an anonymous reporting platform, and posting of the Times Union’s anti-harassment policy conspicuously across departments, among other recommendations.

Celebrating 86 years as the Albany Newspaper Guild

It was March 20, 1934 when the American Newspaper Guild chartered its first locals. The Albany Newspaper Guild, then called the Tri-City Newspaper Guild of Albany, Schenectady and Troy, became Local 34.

We’re marking 86 years as a local this year. Look for an announcement about a celebration on our March 20th birthday.

We’re part of The News Guild and a sector in the Communications Workers of America. Our local number is now 31034. Our contract and benefits are built on the work accomplished by our fellow members over 86 years of hard work.

Legendary New York World-Telegram columnist Heywood Broun wrote a column on Aug. 7, 1933 that launched the Guild. Our union started in newsrooms then spread throughout newspaper operations to include advertising, circulation, business offices and now digital operations. “Up against management unaided, the individual worker is bound to lose every time. Only in union is there strength for workers,” wrote Joan Campion in The Guild Reporter in 1988.

A message from the President

I first want to apologize for being woefully behind on regular newsletters.

The last few months got away from all of us with holidays and even more changes at the Times Union, but I think we’ve started 2020 off on the right foot.

The recent visit by international NewsGuild President Jon Schleuss has got me invigorated, and I hope it did the same for all of you. While both the international Guild as well as our local are in a time of flux, Jon brings a refreshing, positive perspective to unionizing in newsrooms across the country. With the latest announcement of changes in leadership in the editorial department, I am encouraged that we all will be on the same page in working together to make the Times Union the best it can be. This also means ensuring every employee has a seat at the table.

As the Guild’s Executive Board continues to hear from members about their concerns and issues, we are devising strategies that best tackle core issues that many of you all face. That also means utilizing the talent and expertise of all members across Times Union departments to come up with solutions and improve the workplace.

This leads me into our call for Guild stewards — point people for the Guild’s Executive Board to further reach all members across departments. A Guild best works when we work together to find solutions, and that means each of you have a part to play and skills to bring to the table. Every day you all amaze me with the perspectives, experiences and ideas that you bring to the Guild, and there’s certainly a want for change that can only happen with all of your help. As we dive into 2020, don’t forget we’re all on the same team and the best way forward is to work together. I’m excited about our forward momentum and I hope you all are, too!

Yours in solidarity,

Amanda Fries
President, Albany Newspaper Guild

Promoting gender and cultural awareness

Management and the Guild are working together to develop in-person training to tackle sexual harassment and cultural awareness.

Following the fall of a prominent open government official, Bob Freeman, whom journalists throughout New York have had interactions with, the Guild has requested in-person sexual harassment training for all employees. The Company is seeking member input on what kind of training we would like to see.

If you have ideas or suggestions on training that will improve staff awareness of gender, sexual orientation, race and culture, please reach out to the Guild Executive Board. We will be providing suggestions to management to help guide them in providing the additional training that will help make the Times Union workplace welcoming and comfortable for all employees.

This is part of a larger push by the Guild to urge the Times Union to ensure equity in the workplace and secure additional protections for all members.

Congratulations to colleagues on leadership appointments

We start the 2020 year off with new faces in leadership positions in the editorial department with the appointment of Casey Seiler to editor and vice-president of the Times Union along with Gary Hahn and Susan Mehalick to managing editors posts in the newsroom. Brendan Lyons, who once was part of the Guild before being promoted to management, was promoted to senior editor.

The Guild is excited to see new people take on leadership positions as the Times Union embarks on an ambitious digital subscriber goal and enhances its digital presence with readers.

Guild members look forward to working with all those in leadership roles to make the Capital Region’s newspaper the best it can be.

Show Guild solidarity with mugs and red shirts

Some of you might have noticed the growing number of red shirts draped over chairs throughout the Times Union building.

You too can show management that we are all united in our fight to protect and expand protections for workers at the Times Union. If you have not already received a Guild coffee mug or red t-shirt, be sure to contact a Guild Executive Board member to join us in our quiet show of solidarity.

Become a Guild steward

Do co-workers often ask you for advice and guidance throughout the workday?

The Guild is looking for boots on the ground members to be the eyes and ears for their co-workers as we expand our reach this year.

We are currently working with international Guild representatives to broaden our reach, and the best way to do so is to band together. This is an opportunity for you to connect with your colleagues and let them know what’s happening on the Guild level as well as ensure concerns from your fellow co-workers are being heard.

If you are interested in learning more about what being a steward involves, please reach out to office@albanyguild.org and an Executive Board member will be in touch.

Hearst Magazines continue to fight for union recognition

Our brothers and sisters at multiple Hearst-owned magazines have come face-to-face with the reality of the corporate’s anti-union stance.

The Hearst Magazines Media Union has been fighting to gain recognition, with the corporation using the typical anti-union tactics to scare employees from being supportive of unionizing.

While our parent company continues to fight against its employees rather than meeting at the table to negotiate fair rights for all its workers, the Albany Newspaper Guild stands in solidarity with Hearst Magazines. We are all too familiar with these tactics and won’t be fooled by efforts to divide us.

We also must be prepared for the company to fight back against our local efforts, but don’t let that discourage you. The Guild believes in working with all parties to come to fair and equitable working conditions. As Michelle Obama said, “When they go low, we go high.”

The Guild is launching a membership survey. Be sure to weigh in on what you would like to see in our contract, and issues that are most important to you. Responses will be taken through Dec. 31.

A Message from the President

The Executive Board reached an agreement Tuesday with newsroom management to add four new positions with the Guild as the Times Union ramps up efforts to grow its digital audience.

The four Guild positions will be funded through the Hearst Corporation, as part of the company’s initiative to expand digital subscribers across all its newspaper holdings. The initiative also includes the addition of one exempt employee at the Times Union as Director of Audience.

“It’s great to see the Times Union further embrace a digitally-focused newsroom,” Guild President Amanda Fries said. “I’m excited to bring additional members into the Guild who will work to expand the Times Union’s digital presence and enhance the great work our members do daily.”

The five new positions are part of a corporate initiative that challenges the Times Union to increase its digital subscribers to 25,000 by the end of 2021.

Management initially proposed three out of the five positions be Guild employees but compromised with union leaders to include four as Guild-represented.  The titles for these four new Guild positions are: Data/Business Intelligence Analyst and Online Content Manager, both in Pay Classification A; and TU Multimedia Producer and Content Producer, both in Pay Classification C. The four titles are added to the contract. The new positions are expected to be posted in the near future.

Unionized employees have been hit hard as the Times Union sought buyouts and proceeded with layoffs earlier this year along with outsourcing the company’s business office to Houston.

Friday will mark the last day for some business office employees whose jobs are being outsourced. The Times Union is wishing them farewell with cake at 2 p.m. in the executive conference rooms.

The membership’s strong turnout in voting unanimous approval of an enhanced buyout for our business office colleagues sent a strong message. The Executive Board thanks the membership again for your support.