Set the record straight !

UNCLE RUSS WANTS YOU, to impeach me!

Sources informed me today that SVP of Operations and Home Delivery, Russ Newton is now attempting to "ENLIST" pressroom employees to remove me from my office as Local 140-N President. Is this a rumor? No, my source isn't management so it's definitely true.Why would Russ seek my removal from office other than to get rid of our Union as well.

Now why would he want to get rid of our Union?
Can you imagine how great he would look to whomever takes control of the L.A. Times when he tells them "I got rid of the Teamsters, now "I" can do whatever you want!"

He and his anti-union Pressroom cohorts, continue to fail in their efforts to expel our Union from the Times because I believe the remaining fulltime pressmen and presswomen know that these individuals are only on managements side simply to enhance their own position through perks from management for their willing participation against all of you Union members. We all know its true, these people have no shame or self respect and they have already proven to me and many others that they will bend over and lie for the company regardless of how it effects all of you in the shop. Pariahs are what I would view them as, hard working men and women such as yourselves call them more colorful names that we have all heard before.

Now ask yourself, what would Russ really do if I, and the Union were gone? 

Would you receive the same wages?
 Doubt it! You wouldn't even have the opportunity to discuss your worth!

Would you receive the same benefits?
Probably not due to a new Corporate America trend that is resulting from the implementation of Obamacare where employers are demoting employees from fulltime to part-time with less than 30 hours a week to avoid paying health benefits. Don't worry, I'm not giving them any  ideas they are already planning to do if Russ succeeds.

Believe me, the Union is the only protection we have from this company, its managers and the supervisors that do their bidding regardless of the fact that they too were once one of us! I know they fear for their jobs too but I cannot believe no one, even them, has the courage to say how they truly feel about how they are forced to treat all of you because of retribution from Russ!

I am not the one that needs to go, IT IS YOU RUSS, I HOPE CHICAGO HAS BEEN KEEPING SCORE BECAUSE YOU HAVE COST THEM MORE MONEY THAN I HAVE FIGHTING FOR THE EMPLOYEES INSTEAD OF AGAINST THEM. THE MONEY YOU HAVE WASTED FIGHTING US COULD HAVE BEEN USED TO INCREASE WAGES AND BENEFITS, IMPROVE SAFETY, AND IMPROVE WORKING CONDITIONS IN THE SHOP. INSTEAD YOU CHOSE TO MAKE THE LAWYERS RICHER  BY THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OR MORE JUST TO AVOID LOOKING WEAK AND NOT IN CHARGE, YOUR ACTIONS ARE THOSE OF A TYRANT AND YOU NEED TO GO, OR BE STOPPED! 

NEITHER I, NOR THIS UNION ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY OF THE ACTIONS RESULTING FROM YOUR DECISIONS, THE UNION IS NOT TO BLAME FOR ALL OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE PERSONALLY CHOSE TO DO TO PRESSROOM EMPLOYEES OUT OF SHEER SPITE AND NO OTHER PLAUSIBLE REASON!  

DO FOR THE EMPLOYEES INSTEAD OF AGAINST THEM AND NEITHER I, NOR THIS UNION OF EMPLOYEES, WOULD EVEN BE NEEDED. 

GREED IS WHY WE ARE WHERE WE ARE TODAY! I REMEMBER YOU ALWAYS CLAIMING YOU DON'T RECEIVE BONUSES, MORE LIES! LIES TO THE TUNE OF OVER A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS OR $229,000.00 TO BE EXACT! THAT WAS IN ONE YEAR ALONE WHILE PRESSROOM EMPLOYEES WERE BEING LAID OFF WITHOUT SEVERANCE, HOW MUCH MORE HAVE YOU RECEIVED SINCE? CARE TO REVEAL THOSE FIGURES? YOU GET MORE FOR DOING LESS AND WE ARE SUPPOSED TO ACCEPT LESS BECAUSE YOU THINK WE DESERVE LESS! WHAT MAKES YOU MORE VALUABLE THAN THE INDIVIDUALS THAT ACTUALLY PRINT THE NEWSPAPER? LAYOFF HUNDREDS OF SKILLED LABORERS AND LINE YOUR OWN POCKET WITH THE SAVINGS! WITHOUT US, EVERYONE'S WORK AT THE TIMES IS FOR NAUGHT, INCLUDING YOURS, IF NOT ESPECIALLY YOURS! 

We, the Union, and I personally, have sought to have an amicable relationship with you for the benefit of the members but your continued actions that intentionally hurt our members and their families prevent that from happening. You claim you are just doing your job, but I truly believe you get pleasure from causing pain and sorrow; to me, that is just plain sick!

 I'll leave when the members decide its time for me to leave, NOT YOU!

Footnote:  For the record, this site is intended for Bargaining Unit members of the Los Angeles Times Pressroom. I choose for the site to remain public,while it is understood and I am aware that L.A. Times management in Los Angeles and Tribune legal counsel in Chicago visit MY site regularly for the sole purpose of gathering information to use against us. I stipulate, that this is "MY" site because this site is paid for solely by me, and is not funded by the union or Local 140-N.

If at first you don't succeed, Try, Lie, again!

I've been informed by our attorney, Adam Stern that the company and their attorneys (yeah they have more than one) are appealing the recent favorable arbitrator's decision regarding our supervisor grievance. Company witnesses as well as management testified that supervisors do not do our work. If that is the case, then what is there to appeal? Management as well as their witnesses lied saying that supervisors did not do bargaining unit work , so what do they seek to overturn?

Supervisors should do their work,  we'll do ours and the Trainers should be training!  That's another arguement for another time! 

In Solidarity!
President Pineda

ATTN: Former L.A. Times Mailers - CCN may have a spot for you!

Packaging Machine Operator

Job ID  2013-25937 Location  US-CA-Irwindale Category  Production Posted Date  8/8/2013

More information about this job:

Overview:

To act as a Machine Operator of the Packaging Division of California Community News, with responsibility for the efficient operation of packaging equipment to ensure customers receive a complete and quality newspaper product and to contribute to the division’s efforts in attaining the goals and objectives of the Company. Please fax resume to 626/472-5281 or email resume to recruiter@latimes.com Please reference "Packaging Machine Operator" in the subject line.

Responsibilities:

To perform make-ready and set-up on the inserter and peripheral equipment that ensures production of a quality and complete package; ensures that the equipment is available and operating for the production run at the time scheduled and the automatic repair system is programmed with correct information, all parameters are set within guidelines to support the run. To perform the duties of set-up and hopper feeding when assigned to the inserter which includes placing correct product in the insert hopper, maintaining a feeding pace that is sufficient to maintain an uninterrupted operation at the inserter and repairing missed or doubled inserts in an efficient manner. To perform the required functions and duties when assigned to the palletizer line which include: properly moving tying equipment, changing strap, rethreading a strap break, changing, fixing minor jams, changing zone as needed, setting correct bundle size, programming and efficiently operating of Palletizer equipment, producing correct number of bundles as required, inspect the contents of the inserted package to ensure the package is complete and advertising and editorial products are being distributed to the zones requested. Also performed the required duties when assigned to Material Handle which include: safely operate forklift, properly scanning and moving material from the warehouse to the insert lines, execute line audits, breakouts, and able to identify multiple versioned products. Assist in training Packagers in: Hopper feeding when assigned to the inserter, which includes placing correct product in the insert hopper, maintaining a feeding pace that is sufficient to ensure an uninterrupted operation at the inserter and repairing miss or doubled inserts in an efficient manner. Conduct Packager safety training. Tying line operation which includes changing strap, rethreading strap breaks, fixing minor jams, operating Scitex printer, programming and operating Bundlers, programming and operating Palletizer equipment, producing correct number of bundles as required, inspect the contents on the inserted package to ensure the package is complete and advertising and editorial products are being distributed to the zones requested. To create a safe working environment by practicing safe working habits and maintaining the work area in a clean and orderly condition at all times. The preceding list of major responsibilities describes only those essential job functions considered important in accomplishing the purpose of this job. It is not meant to include all job functions.

Qualifications:

REQUIREMENTS Must have all the skills and knowledge required of a Packager, Material Handler and Palletizer Operator. Ability to interact well with a diverse workforce and have resolve problems. Must be detail oriented and able to handle pressure in a fast paced environment. Must be skilled in inserting, palletizer, Material Handler and stacking, material handling equipment, proper interpretation of the daily/weekly insert plan, ink jet application of product zone identification numbers. Good communication skills and ability to communicate in English. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Must be able to stand, kneel and crouch for long periods of time Must be able to lift in excess of 50 pounds Must be able to maintain a safety-minded approach to all activities Starting Pay:       $12.69 - $19.04 (commensurate to experience) Shifts:                   2nd shift Weekend work:   Yes Please fax resume to 626/472-5281 or email resume to recruiter@latimes.com Please reference "Packaging Machine Operator" in the subject line.

Services for Donna Hill

Services for Donna Hill

Services for our friend and colleague Donna Hill be will held this Saturday morning at 11:00 A.M.

Donna's husband is undecided on having a viewing the day before at this moment.

The House of Winston Mortuary
9501 S. Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles, CA. 90044
323.757.2271

Thanks Cousin Ed.

ANOTHER CHANCE?

I was informed at yesterday's General Membership meeting that Senior Vice President, Russ Newton has been walking the shop floor seeking your forgiveness and asking that he be given another chance. Another chance for what? Another chance to do more damage to our family's all the while improving his household wealth? Why would he ask for another chance if he didn't do anything wrong? EVERYTHING HE HAS DONE IS WRONG! That goes along with his request that you also TRUST him. WHAT? Does he think you forgot all that he has said (LIES) and done to our shop since taking control? For some reason this Peanuts cartoon kept popping up in my head and I think it contains the required response.
 Do you remember all he has done to our brothers and sisters that have been on disability only to receive no compassion and lose their job when deemed healthy by their doctor to return, Martin Conboy, Don Reese (RIP) etc.... That is just one of the many heartless acts he is guilty of that proves he does not deserve any chances whatsoever. The Grinch grew a heart, but he is a cartoon character, Russ is incapable of change and he and his minions seek only to improve their situation at the expense of you, the workers. Stand your ground and fight for your rights! The Union is your only protection from this tyrant and he will lie to achieve his objective. What is his objective? To get rid of your Union! This is just in preparation of a de-cert election he and his former supervisor crony are conditioning the membership for. DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING WITHOUT TALKING TO THE UNION FIRST! YOUR UNION RIGHTS ARE GOING TO BE UNDER ATTACK TOWARDS THE END OF OUR CURRENT CONTRACT!

Prove you are worthy of Forgiveness and Trust Russ! Restore Seniority, Cease your Anti-Union Animus, resolve our grievances and I will personally forgive you!

President Pineda

General meeting...Apprentices welcome

 GENERAL MEETING
  750 STANFORD AVE  

attn. Apprentices ..get it from the horses mouth .... show up ask questions...find out.... we need you and you need us ! learn why !