BARGAINING BULLETIN

Guild battles for jobs in tough Chronicle talks

No agreement yet as union reviews options

04 Mar 2009

Media Workers Guild

The Guild continued talks with Chronicle management representatives Tuesday, focusing on management’s latest response to the Guild’s proposals to minimize job losses through a series of cost cuts and business-recovery initiatives.

Management revisions to its original proposals raised a number of questions that the Guild committee sought to address.

After a frank three-and-a-half-hour discussion about the issues, the session adjourned without reaching an overall tentative agreement. The company indicated that the talks need to conclude soon. The Guild reiterated its commitment to move quickly to save the Chronicle and as many jobs as possible.

The Guild has offered a package of revenue-building moves and alternatives to the company’s plan to bring costs into line with current revenues. The company modified its proposed ban on arbitration, altered details of a proposed curtailment of sick leave and offered to divert our January 2010 raise into shoring up the health plan, rather than eliminating the raise
altogether.

Under the company’s proposal, arbitration would be limited to discipline and discharges only. Sick leave usage would be capped, even though accrued leave would remain intact. Layoffs could be done without regard to seniority, but there would be extra severance for senior employees who are let go. Pension benefits would be frozen.

Any changes in the contract must be ratified by members.

The Guild’s bargaining team is now reviewing the latest proposals and evaluating our options in an increasingly difficult situation. Please watch bulletin boards and contact your shop steward if you have questions. Informational meetings will be held prior to any vote.

Members with any questions or suggestions can contact their shop stewards or e-mail Unit Chair Michelle Devera, Local President Mike Cabanatuan or Unit Secretary Alissa Van Cleave.

In solidarity,

Michelle Devera, Unit chair, michelleatsfchronunit@gmail.com
Mike Cabanatuan, Local president, ctuan@aol.com
Alissa Van Cleave, Unit secretary, vancleave44@hotmail.com
Carl Hall, Local representative
Gloria La Riva, Typographical Sector president
Doug Cuthbertson, Local CEO
Ken Prairie, CWA International representative