At the just-concluded annual meeting of the Capital District Area Labor Federation, delegates passed a resolution supporting the Guild. The meeting drew more than 140 delegates and guests, and the resolution passed unanimously.

“The Capital District Area Labor Federation supports the Guild in its fight to keep experienced, loyal employees at work and to keep jobs from being outsourced; condemns the Times Union’s decision to cancel the union’s contract; and urges the newspaper’s management to abandon the destructive path it has taken,” the resolution reads.

It continues: “This body will stand in solidarity with the union and will support any and all boycotts, picketing or other efforts necessary to achieve a fair outcome.”

The Times Union’s effort to gut worker protections drew loud boos from the audience.  The Capital Region has the highest union density in New York State, meaning that the newspaper’s circulation and its advertisers’ profitability is based on the support of union households.

As many of you already know, employees are being informed as to whether they are being given the buyout. Some will be leaving the newspaper’s employment on April 30.

The breakdown of applicants we’ve received is: nine in advertising, eight in editorial, two in the business office and one person in circulation. The Guild prefers that people getting the buyout let their colleagues know, rather than us disclosing it immediately. Some people openly discuss it; others like to let it be known only as they are heading to the door. We respect their wishes.

We’ll provide an official breakdown of what positions folks held once the final news is delivered. We’ve yet to hear of anyone turned down.

We are losing many good people, but we appreciate the fact that they get to go voluntarily and with some extra pay and health insurance. All of them leave with our best wishes for success in whatever path they choose.

The Albany Common Council approved by a 14-0 vote tonight a resolution to support the Newspaper Guild of Albany in its fight for a fair contract with the Times Union.

All 14 sponsored the resolution; one council member was absent.

“There needs to be give and take on both sides, and I think the Newspaper Guild has done that,” said President Pro Tempore Richard Conti. Conti noted that the newspaper industry is challenged, but added: “Those challenges don’t mean you don’t work with your employees.”

Councilman Corey Ellis asked where the city of Albany would be without the Times Union’s investigative reporting. “Union busting is disgusting, and that seems to be what is going on here,” he said.

Councilman James Sano noted he had called Publisher George Hearst and urged him not to cancel the Guild’s contract. “I find it disgusting not to have a contract,” he said. “Hopefully Mr. Hearst will come to his senses.”

Councilwoman Cathy Fahey said she has the deepest respect for the work done by Times Union employees.

“It means so much to me and my family to have the great work of the reporters of the Times Union,” Fahey said. “If these jobs are outsourced or done by freelancers at cut-rate prices, that important work won’t be done. People who have given years and years of their lives to a business should be supported.”

Councilman John Rosenzweig said he found it ironic the newspaper is raising its price while gutting its content.

Noting she grew up in a union household, Council Majority Leader Carolyn McLaughlin said she was glad to support the resolution and said the Guild “has shown a level of fairness we can appreciate.”

Council member Joseph Igoe recalled both his grandfathers were union printers. He called on Times Union management to work with the union not against it.

Councilman Michael O’Brien, who is no relation to Guild President Tim O’Brien, said the newspaper should practice what it preaches.

“I just find it ironic that the TU, which is constantly commenting on the economic health of the Capital District, would outsource work,” he said.

Guild members Ray Pitlyk and Danielle Furfaro spoke to the council prior to the vote. They were joined by Bill Ritchie, a member of both the executive board of the Albany Public School Teachers Association and of the board of the Capital District Area Labor Federation.

“We are talking about a strong effort to crack the legitimately organized union at the Times Union,” Ritchie told the council. “We want to have a viable economic community. The whole idea of destroying unions, of taking jobs outside of the Capital District, is something we are opposed to. This is no way to treat working people.”

Guild members took to Wolf Road Saturday to distribute fliers outside Lazare Kia and Lincoln Mercury.

The union did not call on customers to boycott the business, but did ask that they advise the advertiser of what was happening at the Times Union.

One Lazare customer turned out to be R. Victor Stewart, a past president of our local. He drove into the lot and told the sales people why there were people in bright red shirts outside on the sidewalk. (He had not known in advance of the mobilizing event, but proudly pointed out to the dealership he had purchased his car there.)

The Guild is ramping up its public campaign. An advertisement ran in Metroland Saturday, and a Guild supporter spoke to an Albany neighborhood group and a gathering of union leaders this week.

It is unfortunate these steps need to be taken, but the Company was well aware what it risked by canceling the contract.

Twenty people have applied for the buyout by this week’s deadline, the Company informed the Guild Thursday.

We have no details yet on names or departments, and the Company has not yet provided details on when people who applied may hear if their application is accepted.

“The Company was content to lay people off, but we fought to get a voluntary buyout first,” Guild President Tim O’Brien said. “This will mean 20 fewer people get laid off.”

The union will share further details when they are available.