Employees in advertising met this week to air their concerns about their treatment.

It’s been a highly stressful time for the folks who bring in the money. Their commissions have been cut, their names and how close they are to sales goals are being posted for all to see on a board, and the Company has started handing out “performance improvement plans” to veteran sales workers. Worst of all, some salespeople are being told not to call some of their clients if the advertiser hasn’t bought an ad in six months. Instead, it is being classified as “new business” and being given to other salespeople — even if the customer calls up their regular salesperson.

It’s motivating the employees all right: to get active in their union. And the Guild plans to bring these issues to the bargaining table.

Oh, sure. I had just finished a blog post complaining that the Company had not responded to our May 9 request to begin bargaining. We’d offered dates the week of June 9. Despite repeated e-mails and conversations, we had not received a response by June 2.

Of course, before the blog item was ever posted, the Company called that very day to ask about dates the week of June 23. (It might have had something to do with the fact I finally threw a fit, pointing out I didn’t delay answering when asked to negotiate buyouts or discuss a newsroom reorganization.)

Now of course, I am asking my colleagues on the bargaining committee, and International Representative Jim Schaufenbil, if they are available on those dates. We have accepted those dates. Summer time is always a challenge for getting everyone together, which is why we had hoped to start a little earlier. Sigh.

As soon as we have a day set, I’ll let you know.

You filled out a contract survey, and we’re very grateful for your input. In fact, the combination of being able to do the survey online, along with the traditional print method, meant more people completed the survey this time than we last negotiated.

Good to know, but what did the results say? We’ll let Mary Fultz fill you in.