Advertiser Letter

Dear Respected Los Angeles Times Advertiser,


We, the presspersons of the Los Angeles Times are currently in negotiations with the company to bargain a first time contract with the newspaper. We chose to be represented by the Graphic Communications Conference / International Brotherhood of Teamsters (GCC/IBT).

Negotiations began on November 1ST 2007 with no significant progress and as of this date, we arrived at the conclusion that the LA Times management bargaining committee has absolutely no desire to negotiate fairly with its workers and our union.

We understand that all newspapers are currently struggling in this economic environment, but so are its workers. This newspaper continues to generate a profit, yet we gave concessions in the range of 1.8 million dollars last month. We do care about the LA Times and our ability to produce one of the finest newspapers in the world for both our subscribers and advertisers.

This letter is to advise you, our advertiser, that the GCC/IBT and its members may exercise their right under the National Labor Relations Act which includes the right to handbill in front of your establishment and ask your customers not to buy your product because you advertise in the LA Times.

This is certainly not what we would prefer to do, but this is a decision that the company is forcing us employees to consider making. We want the LA Times to respect us as workers and more importantly, recognize our contribution in providing your business advertising the quality printing you and your customers deserve.

The new owner wants nothing more than for us to continue to give up wages and benefits in an effort to increase corporate profits.

GCC/IBT
Bargaining Committee

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This is the letter sent to over 50 local car dealerships to inform them of our efforts to negotiate a fair collective bargaining agreement. Management has posted a "Negotiation Update" with this letter attached. As I stated in a previous post, our Representative Sonny Shannon ended our last negotiation session stating "we intend to increase our position at the bargaining table"
We have NOT asked our advertisers to take any form of action against the company.

The Senate stood up to Big Media

Dear Ronnie,

Just moments ago, by a near-unanimous vote, the Senate stood up to Big Media. They voted to throw out the FCC decision to let the largest media companies swallow up even more local media.

This is simply an astounding victory, and it would not have happened without the massive grassroots effort by you and thousands of others who called their senators, sent more than a quarter million letters, posted thousands of pictures and stories on StopBigMedia.com, and testified at public hearings held by the FCC.

It was your dedication that made today's Senate win possible.
Today was a huge step forward, but there is still much to do. The fight against the FCC now moves to the House, where our elected representatives need to hear from us.

President Bush has promised that he will try to veto this bill. But tonight the Senate and the American people have spoken with one voice. This historic vote sends a clear message that the only people who support more media consolidation are Big Media lobbyists and the White House.

We are in this struggle to bring more minority ownership, diverse perspectives and independent voices to the media. We need to make media consolidation an election-year issue. And we need to start talking about how to break up the giant conglomerates.

Corporate news today -- with its propaganda pundits, horse-race election coverage, and celebrity gossip -- undermines our democracy. We must continue to speak out and demand that the public airwaves be used to actually serve the public.

In just three weeks, thousands of people will be gathering together in Minnesota to build the movement for better media. You can join them at the National Conference for Media Reform, just visit www.freepress.net/conference.

For today, know that you played a key role in the fight for better media for all.

Thank you,
Josh Silver

Executive Director

Free Press Action Fund.

For those of you who joined the action committee and sent letters to your elected officials on Stop Big Media.com, know that you contributed to this decision by the senate. Hopefully this will force Sammy to Sell!

In Solidarity!

Ronnie

Postcard from The Negotiation Table

We all knew that the negotiations were going to be especially difficult during the economic downturn that newspapers are facing these days, but the reality is, we are also facing the same economic challenges.

In the last few years we have faced rising fuel prices, utilities have become more expensive and grocery prices are again escalating.

During these past years we have also $een the amount we pay for our healthcare coverage increase, (Co-Pay$ and prescriptions) while our wage$ have essentially remained the same. Tribune is self insured and has taken any annual wage increases right back, simply by increasing our benefit costs each year.

These past two days of negotiations have revealed to the negotiation committee as well as our Representatives that, the Company, by their actions, have no intention of negotiating a "FAIR" collective bargaining agreement with the pressmen and presswomen who print the Los Angeles Times.

1.8 Million apparently was not enough for these greedy parasites. We spent the last two days and numerous counter proposals attempting to reach an agreement with the Company on language pertaining to "Hours of Work" and "Overtime"

Listen to what they originally proposed, an 8 hour work day, 40 hour work week at our current weekly wage with nothing for the additional 5 hours a week (20 hours a month). At $35.00 an hour average, that amounts to $700.00 a month. They must think you are all stupid as well as overpaid.

As far as overtime, we proposed the current definition of a days work as a seven and a half (7 1/2) hours per shift, minus the half hour per shift for lunch, (37 1/2 hours per week) with overtime after the seventh hour to be paid at time and a half for the first 4 hours and double time thereafter. That's fair considering that's what we currently receive.

The company wants to invoke current California state law which requires employers to pay overtime wages after 8 hours or 40 hours a week. Simply put, you would work at straight time wages until your ninth hour is reached or you exceed 40 hours in the same work week. Any takers? HELL NO! They must think you are all stupid as well as overpaid.

Their proposals also contains language that would allow them to send you home at any time and only pay you for the time you are there. This sets the stage to turn us into part-time workers and could result in loss of benefits as well as give birth to a "two tier" wage system.

They also eluded to wage scales based on job classification. That would allow the company to create vastly different wage scales within our department and could also result in wage reductions for those whose work they deem less important or a lower skill set.

At the end of the day, we were not interested in their proposals and concluded with our International Representative, Sonny Shannon informing the company that we intend to strengthen our position at the bargaining table. More on that to come!

They must think you are all stupid as well as overpaid!

Stay tuned! In Solidarity!

Negotiation Update

Negotiations continued on Wednesday April 30th and Thursday May 1st at which time several tentative agreements were reached. As tentative agreements are reached, they will be posted here so everyone will be aware of what we are discussing at the table.

I really apologize that more has not been reported on the actual negotiations but language in our proposals as well as the company's proposals can, and do change from each proposal and counter proposal given back and forth. We have presented and received numerous proposals and are continuing to discuss language that both sides can be comfortable with and agree to.

As far as the tentative agreements we have reached, they pertain to

"Voluntary Separation Package" (for recent buy-outs)
"Recognition and Jurisdiction"
"Arbitration"
"Jury Duty"
"Funeral Leave"(packaged)
"Cafeterias"(packaged)

The "packaged" proposals were presented by the company in which they agreed to funeral leave language in exchange for an agreement giving them sole discretion regarding the cafeterias and vending machines. The cafeterias and vending machines are for the convenience of all employees and we felt that the company's decision to provide cafeteria services and vending machines, (or not), rests solely on their shoulders.

We have presented several other proposals which the company views to be restrictive and costly so they continue to seek language giving them flexibility. We are willing to create language giving them the flexibility they seek, but not at the expense of fair agreements for our bargaining unit.

We are making progress and are optimistic about future negotiations. The downside obviously is the lack of time actually spent at the table. As I stated previously, this will take time, so continue to be patient and support the committee and it's efforts to present and protect our interests.

International representative Sonny Shannon is doing an exemplary job in presenting our proposals as did Mike Huggins' and we hope to have Mike back at the table for our next scheduled negotiations.

If you have any questions, as always, I encourage you to ask any of the negotiation committee members and we will provide you with the answers you seek.

In solidarity

Tribune Tobacco Use Fee Rescinded

From: Tribune Communications
Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 1:32 PM
Subject: Message from Gerry Spector/Tobacco Use Fee Rescinded

Since the closing of the going-private transaction last December, we’ve been reviewing policies and practices across the company, including Tribune’s healthcare benefits. While well-intentioned, we think the tobacco-use fee implemented by the previous management team is inconsistent with the new culture we’re developing---we’d rather you use your own judgment when it comes to tobacco use, not impose ours upon you.

This policy was a part of open enrollment last fall and took effect January 1, 2008. I’m pleased to tell you that we’re eliminating this fee effective April 28th.

If you successfully participated in the smoking cessation program, have quit and been reimbursed for all fees, then congratulations are in order. Quitting is one of the hardest things you’ll ever do.

If you’re still being charged the fee, it will stop and Tribune will reimburse you 100 percent for the fees you have paid. This reimbursement will occur in late May.

Tribune will continue to offer the smoking cessation program free of charge to all employees and their covered dependents age 18 and older.

The spousal medical fee, implemented at the same time, will remain in place. We believe that if an employee’s spouse has access to coverage through his/her employer, that employer has the primary responsibility to bear the cost of coverage. Our obligation is to take care of our own employees, first and foremost.

If you have questions about the tobacco use fee, contact the Tribune Benefits Service Center at 800/872-2222.

Thanks.

Gerry

(Source: Ed Padgett's 20 year club website)

Recent Negotiations

I apologize for having not posted any information from the recent negotiations. I have spent the last few days restoring my computer once again. I apparently picked up a virus while at the negotiations location. Their server must have been spreading this virus without their knowledge.

We met on Wednesday April 16Th and 17Th for negotiations and they, in my opinion, went well. International Representative Sonny Shannon re-joined the team and did an excellent job at the table representing our interests. Attorney Dave Meyers was also present representing the Union and also did an exemplary job presenting our proposals to the company.

We did exchange several proposals and counter proposals regarding Seniority, and another proposal regarding Arbitration. We did get alot closer to language we can both agree to. We will resume negotiations on April 30Th and May 1st with several more days in May.

Patience is our greatest asset at this point. We have to keep our eye on the prize, which is a Collective Bargaining Agreement" We all have to understand that this can and will take time. The company is obiously in no hurry to give us one and hopes that we will abandon the fight. That will not happen as long as we remain diligent in our efforts and build solidarity.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa

THE FIGHT FOR GOOD JOBS!

Go ask the Union.

It's been over a month since I've been able to post any information for various reasons, mostly time. I have been approached for numerous reasons and was told that management redirected them to the Union and in O.C. to me by name.

I have been told that supervision is merely following instructions. Those issues that have been brought to our attention have consumed the majority of the time I have spent since the hiatus at the bargaining table.

That's not to say that we have not discussed them with management. On our last negotiation session we agreed to address the seniority list and work with Russ to resolve any and all concerns regarding one's seniority numbers and placement on the list. On Tuesday April 8Th, Keith Denson and I met with Russ and Monica Hayes to present the names of individuals and their specific issues regarding the list and their seniority numbers.


There was a lot of names and Russ stated that he will look closely at the information we presented and hopes to have some information when we return to negotiations on the 16Th. Monica took notes and obtained a thorough explanation regarding each individuals concerns.


The list that we presented to management at the table was still error filled and I believe it may have been more erroneous than the original. In good conscience we could not go forward with that list because it would have resulted in more individuals out of order than previously. That is why we asked management to return to last years pick order until we can once and for all create a seniority list that we can all agree to. Tuesdays meeting was very productive at which time Keith and I addressed several other issues that were brought to our attention in which Russ looked into and corrected some of them as well. Not all of the concerns we sought to discuss could be raised in this meeting but instead will be raised when negotiations resume. Some issues have been resolved, and some couldn't be at this time, so status quo is recommended until an agreement or understanding otherwise.

The Buy-outs and the negotiations surrounding them were very painful and I personally detest these times. I have, along with all of you witnessed the exodus of employees from our company on many occasions and it doesn't get any easier with time. We are losing hundred of years of experience once again and relationships that will end indefinitely, that's always been the most difficult part for me personally. I do remain in contact with friends that I have met here and have since been long departed from our shops. I value those lasting friendships and I hope many of you will remain in touch with one another.

We will be back to negotiations on April 16 and 17Th, with more dates at the end of the month.
Mike Huggins is recovering from his surgery and I have sent best wishes from all of us. He is doing fine and hopes to rejoin the negotiations as quickly as possible. In his absence the International has asked International Representative Sonny Shannon to fill the void.
Sonny was originally assigned to our negotiations but fell ill himself and has since recovered and looks forward to rejoining the team.

The last thing I need to express is patience. I know that there have been situations and decisions that have been very frustrating lately but that is to be expected. That doesn't mean that they aren't being addressed, they all are. One thing I don't do is minimize any one's concerns because if it is important to you, then it is important to all of us.

Sunday Chapel Meeting Directions To GCC/IBT Local 404

Local 404 is located at 518 W. Duarte Rd. in Monrovia just south of the 210 Foothill Fwy. From either direction, exit at Myrtle Ave. and head south to Duarte Rd. and turn right. Local 404 is approximately 1/4 mile ahead on the left side of Duarte Rd. (immediately after Mayflower Ave.)

Click on the map to enlarge or HERE to link an interactive Yahoo map.

See all of you Sunday at 1:oo pm. Travel safely.

In Solidarity!

LA Times / GCC/IBT Negotiations

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

After several meetings with the Times there has been very little in the way of making progress. The Times and their mouth piece continue to come to the bargaining table and claim they are negotiating in good faith and will continue to negotiate in good faith.
Their definition of good faith bargaining is to reject the union proposals and suggest that their proposals are in line with the company’s direction and the need for flexibility.

On February 17th they claimed that they have to cut $1.8 million from the pressroom bargaining unit and wanted us to suggest how it was to be done. On March 3rd they told us that there would be 31 lay offs in the pressroom, 4 of which would be utility employees.

These layoffs are to be effective March 28th. The parties have made proposals for buy outs and at this point the Times last proposal was nothing more than an insult to its workers.

They have mandated that buy outs must be negotiated and accepted by March 13th or the lay offs will take place on March 28th and they will be done by seniority.

We, the committee feel it is time to have a meeting with all the bargaining unit employees and get your input regarding this issue as well as others.

Listed below are the date, time and place for this meeting. There will only be 1 meeting so we ask that you please attend this very important meeting to discuss our future.

Sunday March 9th 1:00 PM
GCC/IBT Local 404
518 West Duarte Road
Monrovia, CA. 91016

Sincerely and Fraternally,
THE NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE

Olympic Meal Tickets

Update:

Board Agent Irma Hernandez confirmed she will be at the Olympic Plant on Friday February 29th to distribute owed meal tickets to all collective bargaining unit employees from the Olympic Pressroom. Please retrieve your tickets so she can sign you off of her list as recieving your tickets. She has no desire to take any tickets back to her office, so pick yours up.

8:00am to 10:00am
1:00pm to 3:00pm
8:30pm to 10:30pm

FOR THE RECORD: This settlement was reached between the NLRB and the company. The company's terms of the settlement as well as dollar amounts were proposed to, and agreed to by the NLRB. The Union did not contest the settlement agreement simply because it resolved our ULP for discontinuing the program without collective bargaining.

This settlement was approved by the NLRB Regional Director, James Smalls many months ago and had no connection with the cuts being sought by the company now.

This company just paid Fitzsimons millions and created new executive positions. Chicago is still shitting in L.A.'s backyard and some of you still believe the Union is the bad guy! It's not the Union who looks for cuts, the union fights to save jobs and benefits, you cannot say the same for this company, I don't give a rats ass who owns it!

Zell's word on cuts lasted less than one week. He knows what he can do with the pool tables and meal tickets. Our concern is and should be everyones, is to make sure Gideon Brown continues to put food on the table for his family.

Meal Ticket Settlement

As many of you remember the company agreed to make whole the bargaining unit for meal tickets that were owed when the meal ticket incentive was abruptly discontinued without collective bargaining.

That has been completed and it was determined as part of the settlement that an amount of approximately $19,000.00 was owed. National Labor Relations Board agent Irma Hernandez will be in Orange County on February 28th to distribute the meal tickets to bargaining unit employees. Please see Irma and retrieve your tickets. Some will recieve one more or one less than others simply because it was impossible to divide the numbers equally. The board decided how many each individual is to recieve, not the company or the union.

Those times will be:
8:00am to 10:00am
1:00pm to 3:00pm
8:30pm to 10:30pm

I am awaiting a confirmation from board agent Irma Hernandez to distribute at Olympic and will post as soon as I receive notification from her.

This brings no relief considering the recent news of cuts, but it will put to rest the meal ticket settlement.

another trick !!

Just for the record, I saw a voluntary seperation program posted. I inquired and was told by management that it was not for the pressroom. So why is it posted in the pressroom ?? Gee I guess those nice management guys are just trying to keep us informed.lolol

At the Expense of the Workers!

WAKE UP BECAUSE IT SMELLS LIKE SHIT!

Negotiation Update #9

As many of you are aware by way of Russ Newton's Updates, we were informed of the company's desire to cut 1.8 million dollars from the pressrooms budgets.

The timing of announcement is very questionable because of our current negotiations.
In San Diego at the Union Tribune, management there is going forward with changes they proposed in their pressroom and mailroom without further negotiations. They intend on implementing those changes at approximately the same time The Times representatives indicated they intend on going forward with cost saving measures they have drawn up for our pressrooms. It curiously appears that our management and management in San Diego are in collusion, possibly in attempts of weaking the bargaining process in both locations.

Management asked the negotiation committee to participate in what is referred to as "decisional bargaining" which allows us to essentially offer suggestions and or proposals to help them arrive at 1.8 million in savings from our shops. Lead Counsel for the company, Tim Fair stated that by law they are not obligated to engage in decisional bargaining.

Participating in this process would give the misconception that we are responsible for the cuts and not the company, which is possibly the reason for their decision to do so.

Decisional bargaining puts the onus of these cuts on us and we are approaching the decisional bargaining process cautiously. We attempted to have the company's representatives disclose what plans they have should we not offer any suggestions on where they can achieve these sought after savings, to which elusiveness was all we could obtain in their answers.

Before we attempt to assist management in making these cuts, we requested information pertaining to pressroom budgets for the last 3 years as well as overtime paid to bargaining unit employees during those same periods. We are also seeking information regarding savings earned by the company as a result of previous pressroom buyouts. We have also asked for information pertaining to cuts and dollar amounts sought in departments other than the pressroom as well as a total amount sought throughout the company.

With the requested information, we will be able to determine exactly what our options are and how to approach this latest attack on our pressrooms.

International President George Tedeschi as well as our attorney Adam Stern have been informed of this situation and they are evaluating our options and will, along with our Representative Mike Huggins, guide us through another attempt by management to save the company by cutting the heads off the people who actually produce the final byproduct of our company, the newspaper itself.

We would love to hear any suggestions on how the company can reach the savings they seek from our department. Keep in mind, they do visit this site regularly and I'm sure they'd love to see them also.