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Guild Seeks Joint Committee Meeting on Major Issues
President Mandy Fries sent Publisher George Hearst a request for a Joint Standing Committee meeting on several topics that could have a dramatic impact on all of us. We have provided George an agenda that will address issues brought forward by the Guild and the Company.
Reaching tentative agreements may result in holding a membership vote.
Clean Desk Policy
The Company has proposed a Clean Desk Policy to make it easier to clean desks. The policy at first glance calls for draconian discipline if you forget and leave something from a piece of paper to a notebook or something else on your desk. It doesn’t address if you leave something behind if sent out on an assignment or have to leave due to an emergency.
You could be fired if your desk isn’t pristine.
The Guild wants a common sense approach so no one is at risk of being fired in this proposal that would change the terms and conditions of our employment. We have consulted with the International on this issue and have been provided advice.
As part of this discussion, the Guild will ask for an update on the return to working at the main plant. The Company cancelled the July 1 meetings with employees to discuss the situation.
Cellphone Contribution
At the request of Publisher George Hearst, the Guild submitted a proposal on June 15 for the Times Union to make a contribution of $50 toward cell phone reimbursement for employees who never received such a contribution before.
The Guild has urged the Company for several months to make this contribution. About half the unit, or 60 people, have been using their equipment without such a payment. The Guild earlier this year convinced the Times Union to upgrade the contribution paid to the sales force so it was equal to those receiving a payment in editorial.
Further Concerns Follow OSHA Complaint
The Company recently was cited by OSHA for third-party contractors allegedly not wearing face masks at the North Greenbush depot.
In an effort to ensure the health and safety of all our members, the Guild canvassed district managers to determine if there were any other concerns. Some employees expressed concern of mold at the new Kingston depot as well as the North Greenbush depot where our district managers work. In addition, Chief Steward Rob Gavin has been investigating the apparent lack of toiletries and cleaning at the Kingston depot. We believe that the Company and the Guild should conduct a joint inspection of all depots to ensure they are clean and safe.
Commission Plans
We requested written copies of commission plans for each department during an April 16 Joint Committee meeting. We have requested this information in previous meetings extending back into the summer of 2019.
We also have concerns that salespeople are receiving commission information for the current sales period (month) a week or more after it has begun.
Organizational Chart
The Guild requested this information as far back as early March when we learned of the Company hiring another management position on the Times Union’s digital team that had not been part of earlier discussions on the team’s expansion. We sought the information again during an April 16 meeting, and have brought it up in subsequent meetings. The Company said this information would be provided.
Circulation Department Manager
The Guild has fielded several complaints in recent months regarding the hostile work environment created by a Circulation Department manager. This has been an ongoing issue. The Guild has provided the Company copies of emails which show that the employees have been doing their work and have continuously pointed out to the manager that issues were resolved.
Membership Vote
We will have to conduct a membership vote on a proposed clean desk policy. The Guild would like to use the Times Union parking lot to facilitate that vote.
The ballot may also include language for a bylaws change to permit holding online voting. This is done in locals that represent the Associated Press and the Wall Street Journal, for example.
In addition, the Executive Board will determine if the election can be held to fill the vacant position of local secretary.
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Back to the office? Not quite yet
The company doesn’t have a date for returning to the office after leaving in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. But the week of June 22 has tentatively been set for us to go inside the plant in small groups to collect items from our desks.
Guild President Mandy Fries, Treasurer Jayson McKenna and Vice President Ken Crowe held a telephone conference call Tuesday, June 9 with Publisher George Hearst, Human Resources Director Ruth Fantasia and Operations vice President Dan Couto to discuss the status of moving back in.
Dan said there’s no set date. George also emphasized that.
Plans still call for a four-phase move in. Some of our members have continued to work inside. The building has been thoroughly cleaned. That’s one reason we’re supposed to make a quick trip in. For the future, the company wants to have a clean desk policy. Our Executive Board is reviewing the proposed policy at the June meeting. We’ll be updating you on that in the near future.
The company’s plans for the return are under review by corporate down in The Hearst Tower in New York City. Dan said they’ve reviewed the 286 desks and work stations. There may be close to 100 moves as the company seeks to establish social distancing.
Most of the furniture from the conference rooms has been removed. There will be arrows on the floors – just like the grocery store – to maintain social distancing in tight areas. The hallways will have two-way traffic. Masks will have to be worn in common areas such as the hallways. Personal protection equipment will be available. Ruth said Dan’s been stockpiling PPE since we moved out.
The bathrooms and heating and cooling systems are functioning properly. There are touchless paper towel and soap dispensers in the bathrooms.
It’s unknown if the company will want to take temperatures.
The company intends to clean thoroughly each day.
As we learn more, we will provide additional updates.
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Another $350 available for TU employees working outside the home
Have you had to work outside your home?
Have you had to work at the Times Union’s main office during stay-at-home orders?
The Company informed the Albany Newspaper Guild on Tuesday that they intend to provide another round of $350 lump sum payments, which management is referring to as a “bonus,” for those who have had to work outside the home April 15, 2020 through June 9, 2020.
Those who received payments during the first iteration of this, which was described as a “one-time payment” by the Company previously, will also be eligible for this second round.
The Guild wants to make sure all employees who have worked outside the home are recognized and receive this payment. If you believe you may qualify for this “bonus,” make sure to have the following information ready:
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When did you work outside the home? List specific dates.
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Why couldn’t this work be done inside the home?
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Is your direct supervisor aware of this?
Please contact the Guild and let us know if you think you might merit this pay, and we can help make sure to get this benefit. Email office@albanyguild.org.
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Return to office plans take shape
The Guild met with Times Union Publisher George Hearst Friday afternoon for nearly 80 minutes to discuss planning for the safe return to the Albany Shaker Road main offices.
President Amanda Fries and Vice President Ken Crowe represented the Guild.
The Hearst Corp. is developing plans for about 200 offices that the company runs. Nearly everyone is working at home. The Times Union provided information to corporate (The Tower) that includes the number of desks, number of work stations and square footage for the initial planning.
It appears it will be about 50 days before there is a chance to reopen the office. When it happens it will be a different environment from what we saw in the past. George Hearst said the company is being conservative in moving ahead.
The Joint Standing Committee was convened at the Guild’s request to follow up on questions we submitted regarding plans for reopening the office.
The return to the office will occur in phases under one of two scenarios. The Tower is looking at floor plans that will have seven to 10 feet of social distance. The company has promised to make the proposed floor plans available to us. You will have an opportunity to review them.
The phased return is based on categories employees fall into, and are as follows:
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Phase I: Production — Those whose jobs such as artists, layout, etc. are considered to be best performed in the plant.
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Phase 2: Voluntary — People who desire to return to work in the office setting. We had members who didn’t want to work from home and others who are eager to get back to their desks.
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Phase 3: Vulnerable — Colleagues who may have health issues and don’t want to take risks.
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Phase 4: Don’t want to return — Colleagues who may be anxious or fearful about returning to the building, or those who may have child care concerns.
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Phase 5: Everyone else
The beginning of the phased return will start with about 35 percent of the workforce at the main office, and could include a rotation of employees working at the office a few days a week or every other week, for example.
For those not immediately returning to the office, Human Resources Manager Ruth Fantasia said the company will work to get personal items boxed so you can pick them up.
Hearst said the company would accommodate anyone who has childcare issues due to schools not reopening, summer camps being unavailable, or other situations.
As with the floorplans, this is an ongoing and fluid project for the company. Some managers have asked the workers they supervise if they want to return to the building. The department heads are supposed to gather this information.
Personal protective equipment such as masks will be provided. There will be opportunities for cleaning up also. Desks will be kept clear of items to facilitate regular deep-cleaning. They’ve been inside the building cleaning since we left, and may have moved items on top of your desk to your chair or underneath your desk.
The company also will be taking body temperatures before coming into the building, and if it’s above normal you will be unable to enter the building. Guests also will be screened. If your temperature is high, you will be advised to contact your primary care physician, or use telemedicine.
We also discussed the opening of a circulation depot in Kingston that’s to be staffed by our district manager colleagues. We are seeking additional information, reviewing the contract and consulting with international Guild staff to make sure DM’s concerns are considered.
We continued efforts to seek reimbursement for unit members who aren’t receiving compensation for using their cell phones and personal equipment.
Anyone who needs equipment should speak to their supervisor about buying it. George Hearst and Ruth Fantasia said the company will pay for necessary equipment. We have a member who is being reimbursed for buying an Ethernet cable.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Guild office, the Executive Board members or a steward.
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Guild ?: Working for equity on COVID-19 benefits
A message from the President
Now two months into the stay-at-home order, we’ve hopefully all adapted to the “new normal” particularly when it comes to continuing business.
Specifically speaking, Zoom meetings!
That’s right, your Executive Board has gone virtual just like the rest of ‘em, and we want to continue expanding our virtual footprint with all of our members. If you’re interested in tuning into our next board meeting, Thursday, May 14, be sure to reach out for the Zoom log-in.
We’re also in the process of setting up Zoom calls that range from possible virtual game nights to small group meetings to discuss the benefits our union provides to members as well as to tackle issues that are most important to you. Be sure to keep an eye out for specific dates and times, and mark your calendars.
Lastly, I want to encourage you all to keep your eyes peeled for a call to action that the Guild is leading and needs your support. It’s all an effort to make sure each and every member is compensated fairly during these uncertain times.
While working from home has become a bit monotonous for all of us, I’m looking forward to finding creative and fun ways to connect with all of you despite the obstacles.
Be well and stay safe!
Yours in solidarity,
Amanda Fries
President, Albany Newspaper Guild
Working for compensation for personal cell phone use
The Guild has been pressing the Times Union about treating everyone fairly and paying everyone for using their cell phones while working from home. We know that many of us did not receive a monthly stipend for cell phone use as some employees do.
Local President Amanda Fries has raised this issue with Publisher George Hearst in private conversations and during meetings of the Joint Committee. The Guild has worked on developing a cooperative relationship with the company.
The Guild’s cell phone campaigns began in December when it was requested that the advertising sales force be paid $50 instead of the $35 they were receiving. After several months, the company raised the stipend to $50. This recognized that the sales representatives are using their cell phones all the time in their work.
The Guild has argued that this situation is now true for workers who previously didn’t use cell phones as they worked exclusively from the main office. The situation has changed with the coronavirus pandemic.
The company should recognize this and pay each person who previously didn’t receive reimbursement for their cell phone. The Guild has asked for a $50 monthly payment until the emergency is over and workers return to the main office.
It’s fair treatment.
Fair compensation for personal internet use sought amid work from home order
When we’re at work, the Times Union provides the computers necessary for us to perform our jobs and the internet access needed in the modern office. The Guild has asked the company to pay employees $75 monthly for using their private internet service while working from home.
The Guild has heard from some members that they can’t afford to make higher internet payments to perform their jobs. The Times Union can do the right thing by paying for the internet access needed for the company to operate when employees have been told to work from home.
The Times Union’s equipment is worthless without the internet connection. That’s why the company provides it in the office. We’ve requested this payment be made to help relieve another stress that’s been placed on those using their own internet to keep the paper appearing in print and online.
We’re waiting to hear a response on our proposal.
Guild seeks equitable treatment of employees on lump sum payments
The Times Union issued a $350 payment to Guild-represented workers who have gone out in the field to perform their work during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Guild has requested that this payment — which we’ve termed hazardous duty pay — be extended to everyone.
Any one of us could be directed to go out to perform our jobs. What if you haven’t received this payment previously? And what of employees who’ve gone out and not been paid the $350? We have uncovered one instance where this has happened. If you’re been out and have not been paid the $350, let your officers know.
Help the Guild help you
Expect to hear from the Guild’s Executive Board in the near future. You’ll be contacted and asked to take a small action. It’s important. Be on the outlook!!!!
Serving the employees of the Times Union in Albany, New York since 1934.