At the annual meeting of the Albany Newspaper Guild held Tuesday, Sept. 24, the following people were nominated and elected by members to serve three-year terms on the executive board:

Amanda Fries, President
Ken Crowe II, Vice President
Jayson McKenna, Treasurer
Lauren Stanforth, Secretary
Robert Gavin, Chief Steward
Jeff Boyer, At-large member
Ty Stewart, At-large member

Also at the meeting, the president discussed other issues currently facing the Guild, including the negotiations involving Hearst’s stated intention to eliminate Guild staff in the business office, as well as the Guild’s future plans to conduct more outreach among its membership.

The membership also voted on allocating $5,000 for the mobilization committee.

The Executive Board was thrilled to see so many people from various departments attend the meeting (the best turnout for an annual meeting in many years!). We look forward to reaching out to you about new initiatives in the months ahead, as well as keeping you updated on any information we can share concerning ongoing negotiations with Hearst Corp.

As always, please reach out to any of the board’s members for questions or issues you want to discuss confidentially.

Thank you for your support!

The Newspaper Guild of Albany will hold a membership meeting at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at the BVMC Church Hall across the street at 250 Old Maxwell Rd.

All seven seats on the Executive Board are up for election. The terms are for three years.

The positions require attendance at the monthly Executive Board meeting, held at 6 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month. Board members develop bargaining proposals, make decisions on health care and other proposals, and decide on any grievances or other issues that arise. 

Also, this will be an opportunity for members to raise any issues or concerns, and to hear about any potential new approaches toward reaching a new contract.

View the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting below:

9.25.19 membership agenda

A message from the President

I’d like to take the time to highlight the people truly behind the staffing and general operations at the Times Union. You probably already know, but it bears a special letter just for them – the Hearst Corporation. 

They’re a special group of folks led by President and CEO Steve Swartz, who is also the vice-chairman of the Business Roundtable. 

The Business Roundtable last month put out a statement redefining the purpose of corporations, in essence stating their commitment is no longer just to shareholders but to “all stakeholders.” Members of the chief executives group say it’s time to invest in their employees, support the communities they work in and “deal fairly and ethically” with suppliers. 

::slow clap::

Swartz signed on to this new mission among some of the most wealthy CEOs, and I certainly look forward to him putting his money where his mouth is. So far, that really hasn’t been the case.

I think all of us here at the Times Union can confirm that there’s been no investment in its employees for over a decade. Indeed, not only have we not received raises in over 12 years, the Company has cut and cut and cut. New, functioning equipment also is hard to come by, despite working in a media industry that demands the best, high-functioning equipment. 

As for our customers, I can confirm they’re disappointed with delivery based on the sheer number of calls, emails and general messages we receive about someone’s paper not being delivered. Please don’t get me started on the website, another thorn in our sides at the Times Union that is dictated by the Hearst Corporation. 

This is all to say that, yes, often the decisions to cut staff or reorganize a department isn’t coming from anyone in the Times Union building. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t push back and demand better, especially considering the decisions being made at “the Tower” or in New York City are so haphazard I reckon a kindergartener may be at the helm. 

So while the Business Roundtable has waxed poetic about investing in their employees, I encourage everyone not to hold their breath. Instead, call out the hypocrisy and demand better. 

Yours in solidarity,

Amanda Fries
President, Albany Newspaper Guild

Company targets layoffs in business office

The Company notified Guild board members Friday that they’re looking to outsource the work done in the business office to Houston in order to save $150,000.

The news was given simultaneously to business office employees, who have been left in the lurch in recent weeks as managers began approaching employees to see if someone would be willing to transfer to a vacant position in the advertising department.

Guild board members met with employees in the business office immediately following the news and are working together to identify other options we can take to retain the work and move forward.

The Company initially had indicated to the Guild that they’d be looking to cut one person from the business office, but would save that person’s job by offering them the position in advertising. Friday’s news strayed from this initial portrayal, with executives indicating they’re looking to execute the layoffs by mid-October. 

Under the imposed conditions forced upon the Guild in 2009, the Company must first bargain with the Guild before any work can be outsourced. The Company must provide details on the costs and other benefits of outsourcing the work compared to keeping it in-house. We have requested this information from the Company, to be provided by Wednesday, Sept. 11.

No managers, exempt employees targeted for layoffs

The Company targeted Guild employees only in the recent round of layoffs that cut five Guild members from the Times Union. 

No managers, or other exempt employees at the Times Union were laid off by the Company, despite indications that executives were looking at all options to cut costs and save money. 

It’s unclear whether the Company’s latest pursuit of layoffs in the business office includes any exempt employees. 

It’s important to note those who were cut were among the least senior staff across the Times Union, one of them even a part-time employee, begging the question of what savings the Company really saw with the latest cuts. 

Less than a week until the Guild picnic

Despite the latest somber news on the decimation of Guild staff, make sure to RSVP by Wednesday, Sept. 11, for the annual Guild picnic. 

The event will be hosted from 12 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Six Mile Waterworks park in Albany and catered by the Birch Hill Catering. 

Please let us know if you and your family members can attend so we have an accurate headcount ahead of the picnic. 

Food will include hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken and veggie burgers, along with an assortment of sides and drinks. The picnic is family-friendly and everyone is welcome, including Guild alumni and employees who may not be in good standing with the Guild.

Proactive measures taken by Guild to negotiate health insurance

The Guild plans to reach out to the Company this week to formally request information regarding health insurance.

The Company typically approaches the Guild to negotiate these matters, but it has often been at a detriment to members because of the small window given to come to a final decision. 

As we’re all well aware, health insurance costs continue to go up for our members, and the Guild is committed to getting the fairest offer for health insurance coverage.

A message from the President

The dust is still settling from the layoffs imposed by the Company earlier this month, but we’re keeping a watchful eye on where the work goes from the five people who were cut the week of July 15. 

I know the latest cuts have left a sour taste in everyone’s mouths, especially with the error made on the part of the Company, but please remember that the Guild is here to fight for you. There are undoubted protections within our contract that we want to make sure you’re receiving, and the best way to do so is by contacting a board member and learning more about those rights.

Often I’ve heard about how we haven’t received a raise, so why should I pay dues? What is the Guild doing for me?

I, too, was skeptical of whether it was worth the additional deduction in my paycheck that barely covered rent, utilities and the dreaded student loan bills. But then I looked at what our contract truly gave me – better wages than any newsroom I’ve worked in, a no pay cuts clause – which is huge because our industry isn’t seeing raises no matter where you are, and financial security when I retire. 

On top of the securities in the contract, there are Guild members who will be by your side helping you to navigate disciplinary or work environment issues. It’s also an opportunity to tap into the national Guild’s resources. 

Lastly, the dues help to build and maintain the family we’ve created here at the Times Union. From the happy hours and night-out events to Christmas parties and the Guild picnic, we recognize that opportunity for camaraderie and connecting with fellow employees makes us all stronger. 

It’s something the Company is watching carefully because they’ve been trying to break the Guild for years. Don’t let them win. Newsrooms across the country are mobilizing and forming unions. We’re lucky enough to already have a solid base to work off of, and with each member’s input and support we can make our Guild stronger and improve the workplace many of us see as a second home. 

Yours in solidarity,

Amanda Fries

President, Albany Newspaper Guild

A farewell to Guild employees

Through the recent buyouts and layoffs, the Guild is wishing a fond farewell for 10 Guild employees who either took buyouts or were laid off during the Company’s pursuit of reducing the workforce.

We’ll be raising a toast to all those who are leaving (or have left) the Times Union from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 7 at the Warehouse Grill & BBQ on Wolf Road. 

flyer_members send-off

Both past and present Guild-eligible employees are welcome, and we encourage everyone to pop in to wish congratulations and all the best in each of our fellow coworkers’ next endeavors.

End of summer picnic

We’ve talked a lot about building camaraderie, and the Guild’s annual picnic is a great way to do that. 

Plans are still being finalized, but you can tentatively mark your calendars for Sunday, Sept. 15 for the family-friendly Guild picnic. More information on the picnic will be released in the upcoming weeks. 

We’ve switched up the time hoping an after summer, school’s back in session timing will draw more of you out for food, games and friends. There will be plenty of food for past and present Guild members and their loved ones, along with games for adults and children. 

Sales commission plan concerns

The Guild has been made aware of concern over the Company’s recently implemented commission plan, and has been working with Company executives and Guild-eligible employees to determine the best course of action.

We hope to be able to resolve concerns and ensure the established Commission Committee’s recommendations and suggestions are considered by the Company rather than having a plan foisted upon employees. 

While Company executives have ignored Guild outreach thus far on the issue, we intend to continue pushing for dialogue on the matter. Anyone who may be interested in getting involved or providing perspective on the matter, please reach out to Guild President Amanda Fries at amanda@albanyguild.org.

Getting a seat at the table

For too long Guild members haven’t had a genuine seat at the table regarding Company matters, despite regular cuts to the workforce through buyouts and, more recently, layoffs. 

Thankfully, as a union, we can ensure that our rights are being protected and can bring up ideas for improvements to the workplace. This is something the Guild wants to push for, but we need everyone’s input. 

These ideas can be anything from improving interactions between Guild members and management to ways we can tap new revenue sources or save money elsewhere. 

Five Guild jobs were cut by the Company on Wednesday.

The layoffs were on top of five Guild members accepting buyouts that were negotiated by the Guild with the Company, marking a 7 percent reduction in the total Guild workforce.

The Executive Board is working with the Company over concerns that reverse seniority was not followed, a guarantee outlined in our contract. While we stressed multiple times that the Company should be upfront with the Guild regarding what titles were being considered for layoffs so that we could avoid any issues with following the contract, the Company refused to be open with us.

“As a Guild, we’re here to ensure the contract is adhered to,” union President Amanda Fries said. “We’ll continue to work to ensure the Company is following the rights guaranteed to us in the contract, and will fight to protect our members.”

Because of the Company’s error, open positions made available to those who were let go are in flux, but could potentially protect two laid off employees from a complete loss in employment. The Guild will be updating members as information becomes available.

Further, we are examining whether all those who were laid off were done so appropriately and the work won’t be ferreted out to contractors or absorbed by non-Guild-eligible employees.

This reduction does not include any cuts in exempt employees at the Times Union, which the Company has refused to reveal how many are being eyed.