Rally for newspaper to ok union
Posted: Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 8:17 PM
BLOOMINGTON — Dozens of people rallied outside the Pantagraph newspaper building in Bloomington Thursday.
Local labor union members demanded the newspaper recognized its employees rights to unionize.
The only newspaper employee we found at the rally said he was retired and working part-time at the paper.
He said he wanted to help the people he works with get better pay and benefits.
“As far as actually benefitting me, I don’t see where it would benefit me at all. The only thing that it would benefit- I would see my fellow human beings being treated better and have better conditions,” said Eldon Smith, a newspaper delivery man.
A request for comment from the newspaper’s general manager was declined.
http://www.hoinews.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=45255
Pantagraph workers to rally for union support
08/16/2007 08:42:15
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.
Workers supporting the union say they are fighting for fair pay, a grievance procedure, and a commitment to quality journalism. Pantagraph Publisher Linda Lindus is not available to comment and in the past has refused to respond publicly to the union organizing effort.
http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/06039_Pgraph-Rally-2WEB_084214.htm
4 comments ↓
Where were all the employees in support of the union? I didn’t see any.
In response to The Dude’s question, the union supporters at the newspaper were not expected to present a show of force at this rally. This was an opportunity for community supporters to send a message to Lee Enterprises that the sort of anti-union activity seen during the Pantagraph campaign so far is not welcome in our community; and to remind folks working inside that you aren’t alone.
Management may want you to feel intimidated and may want you to think other people won’t step up to get a voice on the job–but when you speak out, there are lots of folks who have your back.
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.
Just think–If baseball players didn’t have a Union they could be driving your car.
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