Well I guess that your wages will have to remain the same for the near future as the Pantagraph is spending money like it was water on trying to keep you from having a voice in your own future. If they spread the money around that they have spent on attorneys you could have had a raise. Also if the union isnt going to help the workers why are they fighting it so hard. I guess that they think anything that is good for the employees is bad for Lee. The morale at the paper would be a lot better if they would show the same concern for employees as they show for their pocket book.

–Eldon Smith, Organizer and former Pantagraph Employee

The Pantagraph’s lawyers were back in Peoria last week trying to further delay the election process.  While employees in Operations wait for their election, the Zinser law firm has been collecting thousands of dollars in fees from the Pantagraph.  Along with Eldon, I do wonder how far all that money could go towards improving wages and benefits for the employees that produce the paper, rather than just fattening the lawyers’ wallets… Hmmm.

Watch the Video:    http://www.week.com/news/local/26977794.html?video=YHI&t=a

 Newspaper Employees Seek to Organize

By WEEK Producer

Story Published: Aug 14, 2008 at 5:44 PM CDT

Story Updated: Aug 14, 2008 at 8:23 PM CDT

Labor Leaders say they’re moving ahead with efforts to unionize employees of The Pantagraph.

Multimedia

• Watch The Video

Representatives of The St. Louis Newspaper Guild say labor hearings are taking place to determine the size of the bargaining unit. Some 48 employees of the Bloomington paper would be covered by the Guild.
The Union Representative is optimistic the effort will be successful.

“Today more than ever, workers are finding out how important it is to have a voice in the workplace. Wages…a lot of people haven’t had raises in several years. Policies are just implemented. No one asks their opinion,” said Shannon Duffy, St. Louis Newspaper Guild.

Union officials say the process may be a lengthy one, if the company continues to file objections. The Pantagraph’s publisher – Lee Enterprises – says nobody was available for comment today.

http://www.week.com/news/local/26977794.html

We’re hearing that question all the time, but still waiting to find out the answer.   We filed for an election in the operations department July 2.   The Pantagraph has been using the Zinser Law Firm to do anything they can to delay a vote in this department.   There was a several days long hearing at the NLRB in Peoria to go over who should be part of the bargaining unit–who will be able to vote.   As a result of the hearing, graphic designers will now be able to vote to join the Guild.  

Rather than deciding things for sure, the hearing has been reopened.  Eldon and I will be back in Peoria, along with Shannon Duffy, our local’s Directing Business Representative.  The paper will be making a case that fewer workers should be able to choose union representation–because they’d prefer that none of the workers be able to vote. 

Either way, we’ll know more soon.  The Guild is working to get an election scheduled soon, but the lawyers for the paper are trying to delay things as long as possible.  Don’t let that get you down, it is just a tactic that employers use all the time.  If we stick together, we will have a chance to vote soon.

It was announced yesterday that 8 Pantagraph employees were laid off.  These cuts have affected workers in several departments.   Without a union contract, everyone is an at-will employee.   An employee can be fired for no reason at all, so long as there is not an illegal reason.  Targeting employees because of age, gender or union affiliation would be examples of terminations that would be inappropriate and would provide an opportunity to challenge the company’s decision. 

If you have been impacted by the layoffs, or have questions, please contact the Guild office at 314-241-7046 or call Cathy at 309-531-9867.

We’ve hired a new organizer to work on this campaign at The Pantagraph!  Eldon Smith has been a long time union member and from the beginning,  one of the activists building the union here.  Until recently, Eldon has been an employee at The Pantagraph, and we’re so excited that he has joined the Guild staff. 

Eldon can be contacted at (309) 829-5034 or at eldons6@msn.com

Hello fellow workers at the pantagraph; I have heard a rumor that you think the union has won due in part to the raise that you have received, the first in two or three years which covered about 20% of the increase in the cost of living for that same time frame.  Speaking of which, it looks like the company is trying to put a gold frame around itself to show you how great they are treating us. The only thing you need to know is that without a signed contract on the table in front of you,you have nothing that they cant take away just as quickly as they gave it. If the union were to leave tomorrow things will not be as rosey in the future. We all need to take a long hard look at where we will be without the union to help us in the future

All Pantagraph employees are encouraged to attend a strategy session and meeting on January 30.  To accommodate most schedules, we will be holding two meetings, at noon and at 7:00 pm.  Pizza and soft drinks will be served, so we’d like to get an accurate head count.  Please RSVP to Cathy at 309-531-9867 or cathy@stlouisguild.org.

 On the agenda:

Progress report on the campaign so far

Wage comparisons with other Guild newspapers

Discussion on next steps and upcoming events.

There have been many improvements over the course of the organizing campaign so far.  We encourage you to attend one of these meetings at Lucca’s to discuss how to make sure these changes become a permanent part of our workplace.

The difference between a dictatorship and a democracy. Under a  dictatorship,  they tell you what when where why you will work, play,eat and sleep.

DOES THIS SOUND LIKE WHERE YOU WORK?

With a democracy you have input into how you want to live your life and plan for your retirement. These things are a lot more possible with a union.  If the union wasn’t going to be helpful to the employees, why is the Pantagraph fgighting it so hard with all the letters  and  money they are investing in their efforts to stop the employees that they think so much of from gaining wages and/or benefits. I think that you know the answer.

I have assisted with house calls. So, perhaps I can clear a few things up.

1. We are assessing whether the majority of Pantagraph employees want a union. We are listening to your concerns about the paper and the union. It’s not clear that most employees oppose the union, as stated in the publisher’s letter. We’re receiving a lot of positive feedback including overt support and signed cards.

2. We are very careful in explaining what those cards mean, and we’ve been more accurate than the company on the point. They don’t mean you pay dues. That would require a ratified contract.

3. If you slammed the door on our face, we marked you as a No and moved on. Our door remains open if you change your mind. We intend to represent you vigorously once the union is formed regardless of your initial reaction.

4. If you haven’t seen us at your door, either you’ve already shown clear disinterest or we have an old address or we just haven’t gotten to you yet. Contact us if you’d like to see us but haven’t yet. A visit obligates you to nothing.

This union can’t be something from the outside. It must be from the inside. We need support beyond a smile and a wink. The organizing effort has gone on longer than I’d have expected, not knowing what to expect. But it doesn’t end. We become the union. We negotiate. We decide. If we could just hire some gunslingers from out of town to get us raises and better benefits and do all the work, I’d be the first to sign up. That’s not how it works. It requires our effort and boldness, from the inside.

By November 15, all Lee employees are expected to make a decision regarding health coverage.   To assist in this process and answer the many questions about these plans, the Newspaper Guild invites Pantagraph employees to view our complete analysis of the three available medical plans, as well as vision and dental. 

Visit our website, www.stlouisguild.org to view the reports in PDF form, or contact us for a hard copy.  Please note that there is a fourth selection, Post PPO, for St. Louis Post-Dispatch employees, as guaranteed in their Guild contract.   This plan is not offered to Lee employees elsewhere. 

A loyal Pantagraph employee and union organizing committee member shared with me that marauding bands of masked children will be making house calls tomorrow in search of candy.  First, you may wish to be careful when dealing with these children.  Second, costumed children have no right to be on your property and you have no obligation to let strangers into your home. 

Have a happy Halloween!!  (Watch out for strangers!)

Cathy, Kelly and the Committee

I received a very informative letter from Linda Lindus today.  Her attitude about the union program is almost a joke. I would be very glad to pay 1.6% of my pay in return for a wage increase. I have been there for over two years and have gotten a wonderful .05 raise.  Of course, when I started they gave me a paper to my door for part of my pay, later they started charging me 1.05 per week for this.  Goodbye raise–which was an insult as compensation for my loyalty.

A LOYAL EMPLOYEE

Wondering what is going on in the campaign?  Things are moving along and we want to make sure everyone has a chance to get involved and stay updated.  All are invited to attend one of the following meetings.  (Or both, if you would prefer…)

Wednesday, October 24 at 7:00 PM 

Thursday, October 25 at 1:00 PM

Both meetings will be at Elroy’s in downtown Bloomington. 

If you have any questions, or to RSVP contact a committee member or Cathy at 309-531-9867 or cathy@stlouisguild.org

Our Thursday evening meeting will be at Lucca’s tomorrow–7 pm.  We’ll be joined by some folks from the Peoria Newspaper Guild.   If you have any questions, call 309-531-9867.

The Bloomington-Normal Trades and Labor annual Labor Day Parade is this Monday, September 3.  The theme is “Saving the American Dream”.  Hope to see you there!

Labor Day nears

Sorry if us yes voters aren’t communicating well enough. Two people I’ve talked to in recent days weren’t remotely aware that the Guild will participate in the Labor Day parade in Bloomington. I think we show up at the L&J at 9. Parade moves from downtown to Miller Park at 10.
Help us reach you: Send us an e-mail address and tell us who you are (name and address won’t be published, of course) and tell us whether you are leaning Yes, Maybe or No. Tell us why.

That’s amazing. They haven’t let people leave early since the winter blizzard. Of course, you had to make up the time if you left for the weather. Did people get credit for the time. Or is the union perceived as more dangerous than the blizzard?

I don’t think they wanted us to be spared of harassment, as a constitutionally protected rally isn’t harassment. If the union reads the U.S. Constitution on the sidewalk, they’d call that harassment too.

     Workers at the Pantagraph who support unionizing will rally with other laborers outside the newspaper building in downtown Bloomington at 5 p.m. Cathy Schwegman of the St. Louis Newspaper Guild tells WJBC’s Laughlin and Reynolds, as soon as the Pantagraph management became aware of organizing activities, they began an anti-union campaign.

http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/06039_Pgraph-Rally-2WEB_084214.htm

This statement was posted as a comment to our last post.   Wow… as we’ve mentioned in the press release (which was of course faxed to the Pantagraph along with other local media) this rally is a chance for community supporters to show Pantagraph employees that you aren’t alone.  Wonder why the paper is so concerned??  

Management obviously thinks we are stupid. Just wanted to let you know that they have told Advertising employees about the organizing tonight, and have told us that they want us to avoid the harassment. SO they gave us the option to leave early or to stay late. They are also taking the sales staff to Gill St. at 4:15 to avoid the union organizers, (but said it was because of the recent good work as a reward.) My suggestion is to show up early and surprise the hell out of them. Good luck!

During an organizing campaign, with constant pressure from the company–it is understandable to feel that you are out there on your own.   Management has been actively opposing union activity here all along-it is important to realize that we have many allies.   

 Members of the local labor community will rally tomorrow in support of the right to organize.  We’ll meet up at 5 pm in front of the paper. 

The communities of Bloomington and Normal depend on the employees of the Pantagraph for well-researched, quality journalism.  Certainly the employees at the paper are capable of making an independent decision about joining a union. 

For more information on the rally:

http://www.bntrades.org/index.php

All are welcome to join us at Maguires tomorrow (Thursday) at 7 pm.  Shannon Duffy, our Business Representative, will be in attendance. 

If you didn’t get a postcard–and would like one next time, or for more information–please email cathy@stlouisguild.org

Thanks!

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

MSNBC’s Olbermann credits the Guild with saving his career

In an interview prior to moderating last night’s AFL-CIO’s Presidential Candidates Forum, MSNBC’s “Countdown” host, Keith Olbermann said the News Media Guild * saved his career years ago after a boss who’d returned from a liquid lunch “fired me on the spot and said ‘you don’t give the managers no lip. You get your stuff and get out of here.’”

“If that firing had held I might not have been able to continue in broadcasting.”

How was the Guild able to get Olbermann reinstated? He was covered by a union contract that provided protections against discharge without just cause. The union contested his dismissal and prevailed, which allowed Olbermann to continue on in his chosen career.

*The Media Guild was formerly called Wire Service Guild and is a local of The Newspaper Guild-CWA

Note:  This post taken from another Guild Organizing Blog–http://www.tribuneemployeetalk.blogspot.com/

As we are seeing at the Pantagraph, employers will often say and do absolutely anything to prevent their own employees from having a voice on the job. Often, management is working from a script—provided by ‘union avoidance’ law firms hired by the company—while adding enough of a personal touch to attempt to persuade individual workers. While many workers have expressed their dissatisfaction with Lee Enterprises and the current publisher, most I’ve talked with have a great deal of respect for their immediate supervisors. Particularly in the newsroom, I’ve been hearing that various managers have been working long hours to compensate for the understaffing and poor morale resulting from questionable decision making at the top. Because supervisors are excluded from the protections provided by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), they are often forced to assist in the company’s anti-union campaign.

Being forced by your employer to stop union activity by your employees-not a good situation for anyone-except top corporate executives and the lawyers who can sit back and collect fees. Each department head sent out a personalized letter in June (I’ll post the letters next so you can look for commonalities). On the surface these letters may appear to be a sincere request among colleagues-but if you compare the three you will probably pick up on a pattern. Since then, has your boss (or your boss’ boss) taken a few minutes to chat with you and listen to your thoughts and suggestions? It might be interesting to compare notes with your coworkers—these seemingly casual conversations may actually be quite systematic and eerily similar.

There are occasions when companies use tactics that are of questionable legality or so unpleasant that the corporation is not willing to risk bringing it out in the open. In these cases, it is common for management to begin a “whisper campaign”. These campaigns are effective because they play on the fears and uncertainties already prevalent in the workforce, and since the source can not be traced, it is difficult to discover the truth. One such whisper which I’ve been advised of is a rumor that if there is a union election at the paper, there will be repercussions for Editor Mark Pickering. I sincerely hope that this rumor is incorrect, and that Lee would not dare be so shortsighted and callous an employer. To make a scapegoat of any of the dedicated employees that produce this newspaper would be a shameful injustice.

Let’s be honest. Without a contract, any employee can be fired at will. There isn’t any need to threaten anyone’s job. Lee should step back from the overt and covert anti-union attacks and allow employees at the Pantagraph to make an informed decision.

I am in outside sales for advertising and I am sick and tired of management trying to “discreetly” see where we stand with the union. I was called into my supervisor’s office last week and informed that he heard a “rumor” that I was unhappy at the Pantagraph and was wanting to leave. He said he “wouldn’t blame me” if I felt that way and that he just wanted to see if it was true, then he tried to steer the conversation towards how I felt about the union.

Sorry, but that is just BS. I had absolutely no idea what he could even be talking about. I never said anything to anyone about leaving and had no plans to, (although since that conversation I’ve been reconsidering!)

Interestingly, I talked to some of my co-workers afterwards and discovered that (rather conveniently) this “rumor” seems to be going around about each of them as well. My manager had virtually identical conversations with other employees claiming he heard the exact same rumor about them.

Very creative, but no dice. Does management really think outside sales doesn’t talk to each other? Do they really think LYING to their employees is the way to prevent union activity? How stupid can they possibly be???

I guess we can just continue to sit back and watch them answer their own question. In fact, I hope the organizers feel free to post this in big bold letters right on the home page of the website and entitle it, “ATTENTION: WILL PARKS, LORETTA VANCE AND LINDA LINDUS”. Management needs to know that we’re not completely stupid, no matter how much they want us to be.

         The Post-Dispatch failed to show “just cause” for discharging union activist and ad salesman Al Arno last year, and Al should return to work, arbitrator Joseph Daly, professor at Hamline University School of Law, ruled last week.  Al had been accused of serious misconduct last year and fired after he raised his voice to two Lee Enterprises employess who had laughed at a tense personal situation Al was facing.  Taking into consideration Al’s long employment at the Post and his stressful situation, Professor Daly ruled that his behavior was not serious misconduct and that the dismissal went too far.

     Even though the company violated “just cause” standards, Professor Daly did rule that Al’s behavior was “inappropriate” and merited a long-term suspension.  This means Al won’t get back pay for his nine months off.  We’re disappointed that Professor Daly did not follow through and give Al his back pay.  That decision is just an example of how unpredictable arbitration awards can be. The company must reimburse Al for his health insurance payments-roughly $8,000-so we’re happy about that.  With state unemployment payments his only income, Al had to pay $950 a month to maintain health coverage.      While Al was out of work waiting for the arbitration hearing and ruling, he worked hard for the Guild.  He was in the office almost daily volunteering his help and helped launch the Local’s organizing drives at Lee papers in Illinois.  Al also served on the Guild bargaining team that talked to the company about new performance standards for retail salespeople.  Al’s participation and astute questioning about the how’s and why’s of the ill-conceived implementation of the new territory and account transfers highlighted the plan’s lack of a logical basis and greatly enhanced discussions.  We want all in the Guild and the company to know that we will never back down from defending any of our  members.  In Al’s case, we cost the company many thousands of dollars, caught them in multiple lies and got one of our brothers back to work.  Make no mistake-Al’s return to work will piss them off.

     In fact, advertising managers who have left the company have told us that Jen Wood, Vice President of Advertising, used managers’ meetings as an opportunity to demean him personally and crow mightily about firing Al.We’re proud of Al and his courage and we plan a BIG WELCOME BACK for him on his return July 19.  Meanwhile, thanks to all of you who suppored Al during this time.  Standing together, we will ensure that all our Guild members are treated with fairness and justice.

7-12-07 

 Setting it right on Mr. Winterland’s letter 

     BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Lee Enterprises anti-union machine is at it again, this time sending employees a letter littered with inaccuracy and a personal attack against a union official.  For sourcing, we probably are witnessing a first: Pantagraph General Manager Barry Winterland circulating an article from a left-wing newspaper. In trashing St. Louis Newspaper Guild Business Representative Shannon Duffy, Winterland sent employees copies of a Riverfront Times article. The issue that the RFT honed in on was Mr. Duffy’s hiring. (As background, note that the RFT, rightly or wrongly, criticizes corporate media, including the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.)

     Bottom line: As the Riverfront Times itself notes through sources, the union heavily scrutinized Mr. Duffy’s background, including mistakes and miscues uncovered by St. Louis Post-Dispatch writers. He was not a major focus of a Post-Dispatch investigation, as implied by Mr. Winterland’s letter. He was on a fire protection board that was part of a sweeping investigation into behavior by public bodies.

     President Jeff Gordon is quoted as saying the union decided, all things considered, that Mr. Duffy was the right person, not a perfect person.(Jesus didn’t apply.) 

     As Mr. Winterland is an expert at hiring, he should know that the people on the committee knew a lot more about this hire than he does. So, for him to second-guess the selection, from half a state away, based on limited information, is a little peculiar to us. But it really is changing the subject. You will find many issues that matter to Pantagraph employees right now, right here. That’s why we have an organizing committee composed of Pantagraph employees, and that’s why we on the committee intend to proceed with plans for an election, an election victory, collective bargaining and then a contract. Currently, only our pressmen have a union. The rest of us must follow by dictate the wages, benefits and policies set by Lee Enterprises. Our jobs are at the will of the company.

About those dues

     Mr. Winterland correctly quoted our dues assessment. It’s 1.6 percent of gross pay. Omitted: Few of us realize this next part. Guild policy is, you don’t pay a cent until a contract is in effect. Yes, it’ll cost us something. It also will bring benefits. How much? Contrary to what Lee Enterprises is telling you about unions, the Guild refuses to make promises of specific rewards.

Outsider rehash

     Also in the letter, Lee Enterprises again plays the “outsider” game. So, we again respond. Every time Lee and Pantagraph executives characterize the union as a bunch of outsiders, they disrespect the employees from INSIDE this company who are working INSIDE to organize. Employees, know that you must run the union here. Don’t wait for St. Louis to do it for you; it doesn’t work that way. It will require our time and energy, especially if Lee continues its hostile response. Lee and its executives indirectly are reminding us again that they, themselves, are outsiders. Mr. Winterland is a long-time Pantagrapher, granted. But our company comes from Iowa. It imported the publisher from Decatur. It sends money to shareholders who don’t live here and to high-priced executives who don’t live here either.  We see an HR man named Vito, from Iowa, arriving to run mandatory anti-union training for managers. Readers have been chiding us about outsider ownership since the Chronicle in San Francisco bought us. On and on. So, by all means, Lee Enterprises, keep talking about outsiders. The union wins the point at every mention. 

Union info is public

     Mr. Winterland makes a point of noting Mr. Duffy’s salary. It’s $81,145.That’s a good living for a demanding job. Perhaps in Lee’s next letter home, it will inform us how much our CEO makes in Iowa. Or our publisher. How much do you make, Mr. Winterland?  Our union organizing is a functioning democracy which strives for transparency. Any interested person can access our report online from the United States Department of Labor and the report includes salaries. You should be warned – as you will soon learn – that the filing in winter means it’s a tad out of date. 

     Here’s a couple more points from Mr. Winterland’s letter that, as discussed by the committee tonight, need correction. Mr. Winterland writes: “One of the St. Louis organizers driving to Bloomington to try to persuade you and other Pantagraph employees to join the union (St. Louis Newspaper Guild) is business agent Shannon Duffy.”

    Setting it right: Mr. Duffy isn’t one of our organizers. He’s the business representative in St. Louis. As we have announced previously, our local professional organizers are Kelly Casey and Cathy Schwegmann. Their telephone numbers are listed on this site. Mr. Duffy has helped from the office somewhat. He has a lot on his plate. It matters as a way to explain why none of us know him on sight. Mr. Winterland writes: “Another one of the organizers, Cathy Schwegmann is not listed on this report as being employed by the St. Louis Guild, even though her business card states otherwise. She is really on the payroll of another union, the CWA, as a paid organizer. She does not work for Lee Enterprises. She is a contracted salesperson for the St. Louis Guild.”

     Setting it right: First, Communication Workers of America is the parent organization above The Newspaper Guild, which is above the St. Louis Newspaper Guild. So, it goes, CWA, then TNG, then SLNG. (Mr. Duffy signs himself officially as “Business Representative, TNG-CWA 36047.”) Secondly, Mr. Winterland refers to a report filed before Ms. Schwegmann came to work as a St. Louis Newspaper Guild organizer. She admits it: She has held prior employment. At any rate, we’re scratching our heads on the committee in search of an issue. Ms. Schwegmann was hired by the St. Louis Newspaper Guild in April. We thank the Guild for the hire. There is no scandal here, and if there was confusion, well, Mr. Winterland had her business card; he could have just called and asked her. 

     In closing, the committee poses questions to Lee: Did Lee’s out-of-state anti-union law firm help on this anti-union research? And, could you tell us in the next letter home what you are paying the firm hourly? Bet those guys make more than Shannon Duffy. 

I think this is a great question, so I’m bringing it up as a new post. 

  Bob asked: “Have recent changes at the paper, such as new pay grades, the removal of the story quotas and the time clock changes rendered the union issue moot? What’s left to fight for?”Who at the paper decided to adopt story quotas and time clocks in the first place, and is now deciding to remove some of these  burdens and sweeten the economic package for (some) newsroom employees?   Do you or your coworkers have any part in the decision making process?

  It is entirely possible that management of The Pantagraph and Lee Enterprises is completely committed to treating workers fairly, improving working conditions and removing any of the pesky workplace issues that might lead to one joining a union organizing committee.  Assuming that is indeed true, I am curious why this seems to be a recent development.   Is it possible that the company is so afraid of negotiating with its own employees, those of you who actually produce the paper… that they will say and do almost anything right now to try and make you happy?

As an organizer with the Guild, and a labor activist, it is always exciting to see wages and conditions improve for any group of workers.   I imagine the community will be glad to hear of the demise of the points system of story quotas, which let a focus on quantity undermine quality in the paper.   Service awards are a nice touch, and everyone can use a raise… so great!  Everybody is happy, right?   Should we all smile and look back down at our desks and forget about any organizing drive? 

 What happens when the company doesn’t feel there is a group of workers ready to hold it accountable? 

What’s left to fight for?  You tell me.   In meetings and in one on one conversations, Pantagraph employees have expressed frustration with corporate ownership making arbitrary decisions without worker voices.  We can accept short term solutions, band aids, if you will… or we can work together to build a powerful organization of Pantagraph employees.  Gifts and favors are nice, but nothing like an enforceable contract–and the internal organization to back it up.

Welcome to the Pantagraph Organizing Committee blog!  If you are an employee at the paper and would like more information–or a member of the community and would like to support the folks that bring you the news–we look forward to hearing from you!