Stewards will be contacting you

A Guild team recently met with the company to discuss the planned phased return to the Times Union building on Albany Shaker Road. This would be completed by the beginning of September.

The plans are very similar to what was to occur last year before the resurgence of COVID-19 cases led to most of us continuing to work remotely. There will be three phases to returning to the plant. Most of us in the Guild unit would be back at the beginning of September.

President Ken Crowe, Secretary Massarah Mikati and Chief Steward Rob Gavin discussed the matter with Publisher George Hearst and Human Resources Director Ruth Fantasia.

There was a candid discussion about many unit members wanting to work a hybrid schedule which would see them return to the office for a few days each week. We’ve all shown that we’re productive working at home or from other locations.

Massarah suggested the Times Union investigate securing co-working spaces around the Capital Region for reporters, advertising salespeople and other employees to use.

George Hearst explained how the company wants to maintain the interactions among employees, sharing of ideas and the Hearst ethos. He acknowledged the strong feeling among all employees for hybrid schedules.

The company presented proposed remote work rules. The Guild presented its proposal seven months ago. The company’s proposal is under review and a response will be made.

What you can do:

During the next two weeks your shop steward will be contacting you with several questions. One of the questions will be about return to work and what you want to see. Please respond when contacted. This will help the Guild help you.

We have heard from some members about a few managers saying they want everyone back inside. A letter has been sent to the company raising concerns about this.

Also, listen to the all-hands meeting the company is holding on June 3. That’s when full details of the company’s plans will be reviewed.

The Albany Newspaper Guild membership unanimously ratified an enhanced severance plan at a special meeting held April 8, 2021 for circulation customer service workers whose jobs at the Times Union are being outsourced.

There will be a minimum payment of 12 weeks of severance pay for unit members who have less than six years of service. Two long-term employees will receive an additional payment of six weeks of severance added to their contractual severance package.

The weekly pay amount will be based on their their pay rate plus take into account, bonuses, overtime and other additional payments made over the previous 52 weeks.

The unit members will also receive a $2,500 bonus if they continue to work through the end of May. In addition, the Guild negotiated a payment of a portion of the annual health insurance premiums.

The workers will receive all accumulated vacation time, etc. All members who have vested in the pension plan will be eligible for their pensions per the terms of the pension plan.

The agreement is scheduled to be signed Friday afternoon (April 9, 2021) by the Guild and the Company.

Election Results

The Albany Guild membership unanimously elected Ken Crowe as local president to fill the remaining 20 months of former President Amanda Fries’ three-year term.

This is the sixth time Ken has been elected local president. It marks the second time that he has been elected to serve a remainder of term for a previous president.

Ken had been serving as acting Guild president since March 12, 2021 in his role as local vice president.

Ken promised to continue to pursue the goals the Executive Board has set to achieve a new contract, improve relations with management, increase training, expand communication with unit members and to support the stewards in their roles.

“During Mandy’s tenure, the Executive Board has worked with the stewards and members to strengthen our local in pursuit of a new contract. We have the support of TNG-CWA President Jon Schleuss for our plans,” Ken said.

Ken is a recipient of the Guild Service Award and led the local when TNG presented it with the Guild’s Human Rights Award.

Ken was a member of the TNG committee that recommended the successful merger with CWA. He is a reporter for the Times Union.

Friday, a Guild team met with company representatives to discuss the outsourcing of the circulation customer service representative jobs.

The Times Union intends to send the work to a company with operations in different parts of the county but our work will go to Mexico.

The company projects saving $300,000.

The Guild representatives, Acting President Ken Crowe and Chief Steward Rob Gavin, listened to the company’s severance proposals.

In response, the Guild agreed to most of the numbers with an increase in weeks of severance for two long serving employees.

In addition, the Guild asked for a 2 percent pay raise for all pay classifications. Ken Crowe pointed out that it’s been nearly 14 years since our last raise in 2007 and that the cost of living has risen by about 20 percent.

The 2 percent raise would be about $100,000 perhaps slightly more of the $300,000 in savings.

Human Resources Director Ruth Fantasia said that sounds like contract negotiations. Circulation Director Todd Peterson said the $300,000 was being used to create advertising and editorial jobs. The other company rep was a new corporate attorney Vincent Floyd. Publisher George Hearst didn’t attend.

The Guild also asked for health insurance coverage for the CSRs. None of them currently receive health insurance. This would be an additional payment.

The company said it would respond April 1.

Under a new state law you are entitled to up to four hours off from work if you are getting the COVID-19 vaccination shot during the work day. You are entitled to this time off for each shot you get.

This time off does not count against your sick time, vacation, makeup or personal days when you take it.

Human Resources Director Ruth Fantasia confirmed during a meeting Friday March 26 that employees are entitled to this time off. Fantasia said managers have been notified about this special time off.

If you run into any difficulties contact the Guild office at office@albanyguild.org or contact a member of the Executive Board or your shop steward.