ESOP MY ASS! EMPLOYEE OWNERS WANT THEIR SHARE TOO!

Tribune Chapter 11 Plan Includes $15M In Executive Bonuses

Tribune Co. has unveiled plans for a third round of top executive bonuses, nearly $15 million, bringing to more than $72 million the amount of pay enhancements the media company handed out while operating under bankruptcy protection.

Publisher of the Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times and Baltimore Sun and operator of a chain of broadcast stations, Tribune wrapped the latest bonus programs into the Chapter 11 plan it will be sending out for creditor votes.

Creditors will be voting on the bonuses as they decide whether to support Tribune’s plan, which dishes out equity to cover part of its $12.7 billion debt load.

The new bonuses, which cover 42 top executives, include nine of Tribune’s 10 top-ranking corporate leaders, according to papers filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Del.

They are in addition to $57.4 million worth of bonuses already approved by a bankruptcy judge over the protests of unions whose members lost jobs due to the company’s financial struggles. The earlier bonuses were paid out between May 2009 and February 2010.

Hundreds of managers were included in the court-approved bonus programs, along with top executives. Tribune has refused to identify top leaders who participated or say how much they received, other than to say Chairman Sam Zell didn’t participate.

The Chicago company also hasn’t revealed the identities of insiders who collected $268 million in pay, bonuses and severance pay the year before the company filed bankruptcy.

Tribune filed for Chapter 11 protection in December 2008 after a leveraged buyout piled $8 billion worth of debt on the media enterprise.

It hopes to be out of bankruptcy by September as the property largely of banks that financed the deal. If Tribune’s Chapter 11 plan is approved, the company will have shaken off billions in debt and silenced questions about the wisdom of the LBO transaction.

Yet to be revealed is the percentage of equity in the reorganized company that will be set aside for management under Tribune’s Chapter 11 plan. Like most companies departing bankruptcy, Tribune has said it plans to reward management with stakes in the reorganized media company.

How much equity executives will get, Tribune hasn’t said. The company’s financial advisers estimate the post-Chapter 11 company will have an equity value of $4.1 billion.

A spokesman and an attorney for Tribune didn’t respond Tuesday to requests for information about the equity incentive plan. The company has promised to supplement information on its Chapter 11 plan before a July 30 voting deadline on the plan.

(This report is from Dow Jones Daily Bankruptcy Review, which covers news about distressed companies and those under bankruptcy protection.)

Terminations and Recalls

The Union was notified on April 13, 2010 that letters were mailed to employees notifying them of changes to their employment status. James Abel, Jimmy Coates, Richard Gonzales and Roger Dolan were informed that they were causing a hardship on the company due to their absence and that they needed to be replaced. (What about the hardships this company is going to cause these men and their families?)

The company informs them that when they are fit for duty , they will be placed in a company job search which is a farce simply because not a single person placed in this program ever get a job elsewhere and all are terminated when the month expires. This is how they avoid being sued for firing people while they are disabled! You do not get paid while in this smoke screen job search either.

Recently laid off employees Paula Henley, Jack Strickler, Leona Autor and Wayne Padleford received letters informing them of their recall to work. Keith Hutchins and Albaro Albanes received "conditional" recall letters in the event that any of the four recalled cannot comply with their recall notice at this time.

Obviously we are having our Attorney review the situation to insure that none of our members rights are being violated and that no laws are being broken by the company's actions.

Congratulations to those returning to work. I only wish you were returning to an environment that welcomed you back for your talent and not only because they are kicking others out the back door while you enter the front.

STAND UP!

Severance Negotiations Conclusion

Severance Negotiations Conclusion

Severance Negotiations Update

After four meetings with the company, there are no agreements for severance. I really can't go into detail here on the blog because management reads this blog more than the employees.

I will say that we are following the members instructions on how to proceed.

Meetings are scheduled to continue on February 25th and 26th.

We have close to a dozen pending grievances with approximately 6 of them ready to go to arbitration. Our Attorney, Adam Stern and the Company Attorney have begun the selection process from a list of arbitrators provided by the Federal Mediation Service after the company rejected a list of 7 arbitrators they requested we send them.
This could have been completed at our last meeting in a matter of minutes, and have selected an arbitrator, but the company is chosing a process that is only meant to cause delay.

The company feels they will prevail in these grievances and so do we; and that is why we have made the company fully aware of the fact that the membership, (including many of the departing 39) are willing to go to arbitration if their brothers and sisters being laid off aren't recognized equally to others being laid off. Solidarity is the key, and I'm am glad to see that managements actions are uniting our shops at an increasing rate.

In Solidarity,
Ronnie Pineda
President,
GCC/IBT Local140N

(Artwork by TheeArtist, Ronnie Pineda, Titled:"The Grind"  Click to enlarge

Tribune Co. seeks approval for modified bonus plan

Chicago Tribune parent reports better results
By Michael Oneal

Tribune staff reporter
5:39 PM CST, January 20, 2010

Tribune Co. on Wednesday said it had generated a much better-than-expected $500 million in cash flow during 2009 and sought to make it easier for a bankruptcy judge to bless $45.6 million in bonuses tied to the results for 720 managers at the company.

In July, Tribune Co., owner of the Chicago Tribune, petitioned the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware for permission to pay from $21.5 to around $67 million in bonuses through three separate performance-based plans.

The biggest was a continuation of Tribune Co.'s normal incentive bonus plan for both top and middle managers. The other two would reward a group of around 20 top managers for either navigating the bankruptcy process or "transforming" their business units.

A group of company unions objected to the request at a September court hearing, calling the bonuses top-heavy and too easy to earn. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Kevin Carey has yet to rule as he prepares a formal opinion on the matter. Tribune Co. had originally requested that Carey rule on all three plans together. But on Wednesday, the company said it would be willing to have the court "bifurcate" its ruling so that the larger group of more than 700 managers could be rewarded in February for their 2009 performance.

Any payout would be based on how much cash flow the company generated relative to plan in 2009. The maximum payout would require a result 200 percent more than originally predicted.

In a separate note to employees Wednesday, Tribune Co. CEO Randy Michaels said that the company generated almost $500 million in cash flow during the year "thanks to a stronger than expected performance by both the Broadcasting and Publishing Groups in the fourth quarter." The results owe much to cost cutting efforts but Michaels noted that lower newsprint costs and a slightly better economy helped.

A spokesman said that level of cash flow exceeded the 200 percent threshold, meaning bonuses for the group of 720 would come in at a maximum of $45.6 million if approved. If the judge also approved the other two plans, they would pay out around $21 million to a much smaller group.
Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune
======================================================================================
How about asking the Judge if some of this money can be used to provide severance for the soon to be laid-off 39 pressroom employees? They've made so many sacrifices for this newspaper, working nights, weekends and holidays away from their families for decades: while the bonus recipients celebrated with their children and relatives. 

The Company's unwillingness to pay severance is not an economic matter:  as a matter of fact, it has nothing to do with money: it is PERVERTED POWER and OBVIOUS PUNISHMENT for Organizing our shops.

Ask management why they feel these individuals don't deserve to be treated as fairly as the other production departments. The Union submitted a separation package proposal that many, if not all of you would agree to be fair and more than deserving. The Company apparently has the money to fund our proposal without having to give anything in return, hell, they've already taken everything  and never given anything in return, why should we continue to suffer and management rewarded? SPEAK OUT AGAINST THIS TO MANAGEMENT, DEMAND EQUALITY AND FAIRNESS!

STOP THE PUNISHMENT, PAY THE SEVERANCE!

Apology to Members

I deeply apologize to the members that were offended or upset by my comments that were directed towards(mis)-management. I became very, very angry after months of being lied to while attempting to obtain answers on the members behalf regarding the closing of O.C.

I realize O.C. was rumored to close for some time now, and it eventually would be, but when we ask questions that you want answered, don't you expect to receive an honest answer? So do I! I wasn't upset so much that they were lying to Keith's and my faces, but that ALL of you were being lied to once again.

I DETEST liars and that is the reason I had to say what I said. I have absolutely no regrets for what I said because that is how I honestly feel. I spoke the truth many of you would echo if you could do so without repercussion. It is those of you that I represented in my comments.

I want everyone to know that those words were from Ronnie the Pressman, not Ronnie the President. I have always conducted myself in a professional manner when addressing the company on behalf of the membership from the very beginning, management has shown no interest in reciprocating by lying blatantly to its employees.

This behavior should not be easily dismissed and a demand for honesty should be imposed upon management by each and every employee. Just because you know they lie doesn't mean its O.K. DEMAND TRUTH and HONESTY from the Company and require them to also treat their employees in a professional and ethical manner. In other words, STOP LYING!

I assure the members that I will show the restraint necessary to represent the membership in a professional manner and give my word that I will refrain from unleashing my inner thoughts upon management again in the future.................if there is one!

Business or Bullshit!

We all know that the newspaper industry has suffered beyond measure, leaving great reporters to truck drivers, and everyone in between in its wake of destruction. We have all suffered immeasurable casualties of our own here at the L.A. Times, sadly at the hands of a bunch of Tribune LIARS AND CROOKS!

These same SOB's have the balls to call the Union Officers Thugs! Nothing good has ever happened to benefit the employees of the Los Angeles Times under the stewardship of Tribune Corp. RAPE AND PILLAGE has been the M.O. all along.

From Madigan to Zell, all we have witnessed is the downward spiral of a once great newspaper, not as much, in my opinion, due to the economy, as to FUCKING GREED AND MISMANAGEMENT! I am damn tired of the bullshit the company spews in the name of saving costs and creating a newspaper that the consumer will want. THOSE DAYS ARE OVER! The ineptitude of the powers that be have sent even the most loyal L.A. Times readers elsewhere, and I doubt they will come back no matter what redesign they come up with!

The thing that fucking pisses me off the most is that some of these assholes are fucking enjoying what they are doing to the employees in the pressroom. Management doesn't give a shit about what will happen to all of the families and the future they have disrupted, as long as they continue to get their fucking money! How the fuck they sleep at night is beyond me!

What the fuck do they do to deserve a job over the people that actually create the newspaper? All they do is go to meetings all day and try to find new and creative ways to fuck the employees out of their jobs to save money. Why don't they all get off their asses and the asses of their workers and finds ways to earn money for the company instead of laying everyone off to save a buck and their own asses!

Trying to get the Bankruptcy Court to allow them to distribute 22 to 66 Million Dollars in bonuses to incentivize these idiots is a fucking insult to our intelligence and should not be allowed without a fight! Money is not the root of all evil.......the love of money is.

Message to Management, I created this Blog for the pressroom employees, NOT YOU LYING ASSHOLES! So like I've said before, if you don't like what I posted here, then don't fucking come here! I hope you all loose your fucking jobs, health insurance, retirement and homes, you HEARTLESS BASTARDS! I admit, this is unprofessional, but I'm sick and tired of my Brothers and Sisters being fucked over for forming a Union here at the sacred, non-union L.A. Times. Go back to Chicago and take Stumpy with you!!

Los Angeles Times Orange County Facility Scheduled to Close on March 15, 2010

The Union has attempted numerous times to uncover the truth as to what plans the L.A. Times has for the O.C. Facility without any results. Russ Newton, John Walker and Leticia Bugarin have all denied any plans to close Orange County and have went as far as to imply that Ed Padgett and I were perpetuating these rumors with our Blog posts. It is apparent that we were barking up the right tree and this was not a rumor.

It is also no coincidence that this decision took place a day after recall rights for the remaining employees that were laid-off in April'09 expired. We have asked point blank if this was being discussed by management to which the answer was always NO. LIES, LIES and more LIES!

Business is Business but, I warned everyone that this company and its managers cannot be trusted and here is further proof!

Click on the links below to view the documents that were received by the Union.
(Note: Notice 2 contains multiple pages including a list of the effected employees)

http://www.scribd.com/doc/24914894/O-C-Closure-Notice-1
http://www.scribd.com/doc/24916680/O-C-Closure-Notice-2
http://www.scribd.com/doc/24915287/O-C-Closure-Notice-3

Severance for 63 Laid Off Pressroom Employees

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

The union and the company met yesterday to discuss severance for the recently laid off workers. The union accepted an enhanced version of the company’s last proposal offered in February.

Our decision to accept will undoubtedly draw fire from some people, but it was obviously the right thing to do based on the 63 workers who were laid off receiving nothing in the form of severance or consideration for years of service with the company. Therefore, the union and the company agreed to the following:

The 63 employees who were laid off will receive up to 12 weeks of severance pay with recall rights as outlined under the contract; the company did not agree to any benefit continuation.

In return the union agreed to withdraw all pending grievances and 4 of the 5 pending Unfair Labor Practice charges.

Again, we realize this will bring out some critics of the union, but we felt this was the right thing to do at this time, and to the critics of the union, you should consider this, did the company do the right thing by not agreeing to treat its union and non-union employees equally?

Fraternally,
Ronnie Pineda

De-Authorization Petition Blocked

On Friday April 10, 2009 GCC/IBT Local 140-N received a notice from the N.L.R.B. that Orange County Operator, Lee Carey filed a Petition for a de-authorization election. The purpose of de-authorization is to have the union security and dues check-off language stripped from the contract. The remainder of the contract remains in force.

Although Carey, Saterlee and Espinosa have the right, their motives are again questionable at best.

Our Attorney informed our Local that our pending board charges serve to block the attempt to have the Board grant an election at this time. We have also informed the board that we are challenging the petition and charge that the solicitation of signatures was tainted. This will prevent the petition from being considered at a later time when current charges are addressed by the board.

More on this subject as it progresses.

1967 Union Rally at The Times

WALKING IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS.

"The Los Angeles Times Has Labor Problems In Their Pressrooms"

read the signs worn by former pressmen.

Photo courtesy of the Late William (Bill) Torrance
(Center of Photo, being interviewed)

Archives given to our Local contained this photo along with a treasure trove of documents from the 1960's and the history between the company and the pressroom employees

Union Activity from that era.

This photo is a testament to the company's decades old and antiquated position of union busting, and the employees quest for fairness and equality.

I hope to have all these documents reviewed by the Teamsters Historical Department for proper preservation.

Recent Severance Negotiations Update

On February 7, 2009, members of GCC/IBT Local 140-N held a Special Meeting to discuss Severance Negotiations with L.A. Times representatives which took place on February 4, 5 and 6, specifically the company's severance package offer.

As we discussed at our Special Union Meeting, and in compliance with the wishes of the membership, the negotiation committee rejected the company's proposal containing two severance options. The second option contained language in which the company sought to have any grievances and board charges withdrawn in order to recieve an additional 4 weeks of severance.

We did make two seperate proposals (below) which sought at least what the non bargaining unit employees are planned to recieve. In addition to equal severance, we proposed recall rights for 24 months in the event that the company enters into any Joint Operating Agreements (JOA's) or Merger Agreements.

In summary, the company's position was not to respond to either proposal we presented and went on to say that they felt their proposal was fair and there was only room for them to "tweak" it slightly.

We twice requested Mediation from the The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, which is part of the Federal Government to help mediate the negotiations to which the company refused both times.

When asked about why they weren't willing to treat all of their employees fairly, their response was, they felt that they were.

The following are the two proposals we gave the company on Wednesday.

2009 Severance Proposal 2-25

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Academic Work Other gcc/ibt l.a. times

Last Proposal by the Union.

La Times Union Proposal 2-25-09

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Academic Work Philosophy gcc/ibt l.a. times

We are exploring our options and next move.

President
Pineda

Union Rally Monday February 23, 2009

A press release was sent notifying the media about our Union Rally to be held on Monday February 23, 2009 to expose the anti-union treatment our bargaining unit has been subjected to at the hands of management and supervision since ratification of the collective bargaining agreement on December 8, 2008.

Rally information:
Date: Monday February 23, 2009
Time: 11:00 am
Location: L.A. Times Building Downtown, 1st and Spring

All members not working are expected to attend!

Must know information for Bargaining unit employees:
If scheduled to work, DO NOT miss work to participate.
No signs, we're not picketing.
No work slowdowns in support of Rally.
No work stoppage in support of Rally.

Ronnie Pineda
President, GCC/IBT Local 140-N

Rumor Control and Negotiation Update

It was no shock to me that we lost some of our supervisors this past week. It is always terrible for anyone to lose their job, its worse just before the holidays. We have witnessed the exodus of our friends and co-workers for years now and it is always heart wrenching for most of us. As salary employees, there is no obligation for management to honor supervisors seniority in their respective position. Why the supervisors that were relieved of their post were chosen, can only be answered by those who made the decision as to who they considered expendable. Some will be missed by some, and some will be missed by all. Either way, they will be missed. I will personally miss Misty Griffin for the fact that she was always honest, fair and treated everyone with respect.

RUMOR CONTROL
O.C. RUMOR: There have been many questions regarding the possibility of the pending Joint Operating Agreement between The Orange County Register and The Times that was reported in The Orange County Business Journal (Click for story). One main concern I have been hearing is that Pressmen from The Register will come and run their own product on our presses. We have not been given any indication from management that they are considering anything like that. I don't see how that would be a profitable venture for the company to "rent" our presses and that is essentially what something like that would be. Language we have already agreed to prevents management from hiring part-time employees to sub plant the full time workforce. All the details regarding part-time employees will be presented at the upcoming ratification meetings.

L.A. RUMOR: There are going to be more buy-outs and we are going to lose 4 crews.
Management did not state that they intend to reduce staffing at this time and it was not mentioned at the table.

NEGOTIATIONS
Today we gave management our wage and benefit proposals and spent time discussing the new benefit package offered by management and our desire to explore coverage through either the Teamsters, the GCC or the company sponsored health care program. We also proposed a "medical opt-out program" in which the company is being asked to give a fraction of the projected per employee company medical cost back to the employee(s) wishing to opt-out of the company medical benefit. This type of reimbursement is becoming very common for companies looking to reduce their benefit overhead by allowing employees to opt-out of their company coverage. This program has saved large, self insured companies such as ours millions of dollars and it also gives the employee and their family more flexibility in medical coverage options.

The wages, benefit and pension proposals were submitted as a package proposal and it included our proposed term of the contract, a signing bonus, sick days and several other topics. The proposals are, we believe to be fair, but we are sure that the company's counter proposal will reflect managements desire to control costs. We on the committee are not ignorant to the state of our industry and the effect the economy is having on our company and are bargaining with those factors in mind. We are extremely aware of how the economy has effected each of our households as well and bargain with that in mind even more so.

We are attempting to have management redirect their retirement contributions to each employee for the purpose of reinvesting it into the Interlocal Pension Fund. For more information on the Interlocal Pension Fund (click here) There is no other plan like this and we will be able to contribute an additional pecentage above the negotiated amount contributed by the company.

With all of that said, I must remind all of you that no matter what we on the negotiating committee and our representatives agree to at the table, all bargaining unit employees will have the final word by voting on the tentative agreements reached in negotiations. If there are areas that are not acceptable to a majority of those who vote, then the committee will go back to the table and attempt to renegotiate the unsatisfactory terms. It is extremely important that everyone vote because ratification is based on a majority of those who cast a vote. Don't let only those who vote decide for you whether or not we ratify these tentative agreements.

Negotiations resume on November 6th at which time we will receive the company's counter proposal.

In Solidarity!

Ex-Times reporters sue Zell

Kevin Roderick

I'm told that lawyers representing current and former Los Angeles Times newsroom staffers are filing a class-action federal lawsuit against Sam Zell and Tribune this morning in Los Angeles, alleging breaches of fiduciary duty, conflicts of interest and other violations of ERISA, the law that safeguards the proper handling of retirement benefits like pensions and trusts. The plaintiffs include several familiar bylines and at least one current Times star. A team has been looking into Zell's leveraged takeover of Tribune almost since he used employee money to get the company.

Details to come.

(Click here for full story)

Boned Again By the Times!

The L.A. Times have again stooped to another low in their vain attempt to save a buck! I was informed last night that The L.A. Times will not be renewing their contract with Ryder Logistics. That means the drivers will again be victims of the Times belt tightening.

Brandt Bros. and Fox will never compare to these men and women that have proven for decades that they are the best at what they do, and that is deliver the L.A. Times. Too bad they are again being under appreciated for their irreplaceable contribution to this company.

Survey Results Part 1

Page 1. Sam Zell, Senior Mgt. and Supervision

1. Do you think Sam Zell is the right owner for the Los Angeles Times?

% of Respondents ----------Number of Respondents
Yes
9.38%-----------------------9
No
80.21%----------------------77

OTHER
Hell no!

1.04%-------------------------1
I feel that the owner of this paper should be someone concerned with this community and that would want to use the power of this paper to make a mark on this community
1.04%------------------------1
It should be local owned......
1.04%------------------------1
too early to tell
1.04%------------------------1
no, should have local ownership
1.04%------------------------1
Cares about his Billions and nothing else.
1.04%------------------------1
I truly believe that Sam Zell has no interest in restoring the Tribune Companys.He once stated that "we must sell our logo its all we have" Now he wants to sell the two most important properties in the Tribune Co.He will tear this company down to nothing and profit from it all.
1.04%-----------------------1
doesn't give a shit about anything but money
1.04%-----------------------1
i definitely dont he only cares about the real estate profit and not the people or the la times as a great newspaper
1.04%-----------------------1
He can care less about the employees. He's an INVESTER. That's how he became a billionaire.
1.04%-----------------------1
Number of respondents
94
Number or respondents who skipped this question
60

2. Do you think Employee Elected Representatives should sit on the ESOP Board of trustees?

% of Respondents ---------------Number of Respondents

Yes, afterall it's an ESOP
90.32%-----------------84

No, we can trust Sam
6.45%----------------------6

OTHER

Hell yeah !! after all we are " partners"
1.08%-------------------------1
I dont think that any times or tribune excutives should be on any commity like this
1.08%-------------------------1
You need someone who knows what is happening in the inside.
1.08%-------------------------1
Number of respondents
93
Number or respondents who skipped this question
61

3. Do you think it is right for Sam Zell to lay off partner/employees when he borrowed against their retirement by creating an ESOP to purchase Tribune?

% of Respondents -----------------Number of Respondents

Yes, he has to pay his bills.
9.57%-----------------------------9

NO, He said "You own this place now"
85.11%----------------------------80

OTHER
He's Sam Zell. he's going to do whatever he wants, as long as it makes him richer.
1.06%-----------------------------1
How about upper management take a cut in pay, to save money.
1.06%-----------------------------1
no how can he borrow my money without my permision ?
1.06%-----------------------------1
Should have never been allowed to leverage so much debt to buy Tribune.
1.06%-----------------------------1
we dont own shit zell could give a shit about you or me
1.06%-----------------------------1
Number of respondents
94
Number or respondents who skipped this question
60

4. Newsday has been sold, would you like to see Sam Zell sell the L.A. Times, preferably to a local owner.
% of Respondents ------------------Number of Respondents

No, Sam Zell is a good owner for the L.A.Times
7.53%----------------------------------7
Yes, the sooner the better!
88.17%-------------------------------82

OTHER
yes, put the times back to local ownership. the times on its own can make a profit to substain it self. and we can go back to being one of the great news papers in journalisms we once were.
1.08%---------------------------------1
Sell it to someone who knows about the newspaper.
1.08%---------------------------------1
sooner the better so our paper can be great again since the takeover of the tribune the great la times hit rock bottom at our cost
1.08%---------------------------------1
We should be owned locally. Chicago and Zell hates the west coast culture.
1.08%---------------------------------1
Number of respondents
93
Number or respondents who skipped this question
61

5. Do you think Sam Zell was dishonest with the employees at the L.A. Times when he visited in February?
% of Respondents ---------------------Number of Respondents

Yes, he said he did not agree with Tribunes business model of cutting staff to incure savings.
82.61%-----------------------------------76
No, he was honest and sincere.
9.78%-------------------------------------9

OTHER
He may not have been apprised of the big picture.
1.09%-----------------------------------1
He was honest to a point,but how do you change anything when leaving the same cut first people in charge of growing your business
1.09%----------------------------------1
He"s a thief
1.09%----------------------------------1
I wouldn't use the word dishonest. Ignorant fits just fine. But it feels about the same either way.
1.09%----------------------------------1
Like he said he is a "business man " bottom line that speaks volumes
1.09%----------------------------------1
waiting to see
1.09%----------------------------------1
Wall street called the shots that destoryed us, now the Bankers are doing the same song and dance.
1.09%----------------------------------1
Number of respondents
92
Number or respondents who skipped this question
62

More to come!

Another Debt that won't get paid!

This goes out to the 250 unfortunate employee/partner casualties throughout the Los Angeles Times that visit TELL ZELL and to the inkstainedretch for his commitment to both the newspaper and peers in editorial. Keep up the good work Retch, the number of people speaking out is growing, all the while staffing continues to go down.

In Solidarity, From your brothers and sisters in the Pressrooms!

Negotiations Update

Tribune's announcement of 250 (MORE) employee cuts here at the Los Angeles Times has been a concern for pressroom employees, having just gone through buy-outs a couple of months ago. We lost another 27 presspersons and 4 pressroom utility employees at that time bringing our pressroom staffing to approximately 250 bargaining unit employees between the two pressrooms. Negotiation Committee brother Keith Denson asked if the pressroom was again targeted in this round of cuts, to which the company's lead negotiator responded, we are not. That should be of comfort to many of us who survived the last round of buy-outs. Lets hope that our industry levels off, or begins to improve at some point soon to establish and maintain some stability to our staffing levels in all departments.

Our first order of business was to address the merit based wage increases currently being given to production employees. The company representatives explained that the raises are a new merit based wage increase "HYBRID". HUH? Yeah we were puzzled too.

We have given an information request to the company pertaining to the wage increases and informed them that we would accept a wage increase along with all production employees as was done last year and will continue to bargaining wage increases in the interim.
We will have more on this matter at our next session on the 16Th when we receive their responses to our info request.

"ScabSchool" is what our representative Sonny Shannon called managements paster make-up training on Tuesday morning. As far as supervision learning to make straight-line paster make-ups, we were told it was for training purposes. The company's lead negotiator reiterated a previous statement he made months ago that the company will do whatever it needs to do to get a newspaper on the street. That lead us to believe that management was concerned over a suggested "sick-out" on Wednesday, July 9Th posted on inkstainedretch's TELL ZELL blog, and the possibility that we may, in sympathy, participate in this sick-out. I commented on this type of action, and the dangers they pose to employees on Ed's blog and Tell Zell. Can you say Paranoia?

Again, the issue of assigning presspersons on crews in the event of absences was addressed. It was the company's original model that when an individual on a crew is absent, all crew members below the absent individual move up on the crew ladder until the absentee's position is filled. Presspersons added to the crew after this climbing procedure, back fill the vacant positions vacated by the crew members that moved up. We asked that the supervisors at both plants adhere to this process. Names of affected employees and examples were given to management to investigate. Seniority must be honored in placement on crew when multiple positions on a crew require back filling with the most senior filling the higher vacant spot until all crew positions are staffed. Company response to follow.

Some good news for the Mitchell Family. As some of you were made aware from a previous post, brothers Myron Mitchell and Otis Miller were force transfered to Orange County as a result of the recent pressroom buy-outs. Both Myron and Otis reside in Palmdale which is approximately a 2 hour drive, one way. The commute and fuel prices forced these men to remain close to the plant and share a room locally, and to my surprise, occassionally, sleep in their automobiles. In Myron's case this will change as he will be returning to the Olympic Plant on Thursday July 10th. I would like a volunteer from L.A. that resides near the O.C. plant to consider transfering down to O.C. to allow Otis to return to Oly, and like Mitch now, return to his family nightly. Contact me if you would be willing to exercise your compassion for a brother and his family.

There were a couple of other housekeeping issues, one, regarding my crew specifically and a fellow crew member's ability to float vacation days.

Contract language update to follow (all good news), I really need some sleep! Come back to this post later today to continue.

Where to Begin????

This is question # 6 on our survey and it seems very appropriate to ask at this time.

Senior Management , (Execs. VP's etc.) staffing levels are:

% of Respondents -------- Number of Respondents

Bloated
80.28%
57
Sufficient for the size of the operation
8.45%
6
Low, we need more executives
2.82%
2

OTHER:

bloated and over paid and elitist !!
1.41%
1
Ineffective and not true employees as most have come from outside of company in last 3 years. Too new to have buy-in to past company culture.
1.41%
1
Publisher and next level of leadershipt haven proven to be impotent and incapable. Why haven't they all been replaced?
1.41%
1
There is some extra VP's that can be cut. Not the real personnel who is getting the paper out on deadline.
1.41%
1
too new to the newspaper industry to understand news and the relationships within the areas served by each paper.
1.41%
1
We could save a lot of money by downsizing idiots who can only think of shrinking the paper and reducing the newsroom.
1.41%
1
Number of respondents
71

Figures based on 71 respondents .
Number or respondents who skipped this question
52

Where to begin........
Final statistics will be disclosed at close of survey on July 15th