Pantagraph Blog--An employee forum for organizing http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog our committee's outreach to fellow workers Mon, 18 Aug 2008 01:03:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 en Question of money–or priorities? http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2008/08/17/question-of-money-or-priorities/ http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2008/08/17/question-of-money-or-priorities/#comments Mon, 18 Aug 2008 01:03:28 +0000 admin http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2008/08/17/question-of-money-or-priorities/ 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.

]]> http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2008/08/17/question-of-money-or-priorities/feed/ Our campaign is in the news! http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2008/08/15/our-campaign-is-in-the-news/ http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2008/08/15/our-campaign-is-in-the-news/#comments Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:33:46 +0000 admin http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2008/08/15/our-campaign-is-in-the-news/ 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

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

]]> http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2008/08/15/our-campaign-is-in-the-news/feed/ So, when are we going to have an election?? http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2008/08/11/so-when-are-we-going-to-have-an-election/ http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2008/08/11/so-when-are-we-going-to-have-an-election/#comments Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:44:14 +0000 admin http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2008/08/11/so-when-are-we-going-to-have-an-election/ 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.

]]> http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2008/08/11/so-when-are-we-going-to-have-an-election/feed/ Layoffs at The Pantagraph http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2008/07/02/layoffs-at-the-pantagraph/ http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2008/07/02/layoffs-at-the-pantagraph/#comments Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:11:29 +0000 admin http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2008/07/02/layoffs-at-the-pantagraph/ 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.

]]> http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2008/07/02/layoffs-at-the-pantagraph/feed/ New Guild Organizer http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2008/05/27/new-guild-organizer/ http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2008/05/27/new-guild-organizer/#comments Tue, 27 May 2008 14:56:30 +0000 admin http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2008/05/27/new-guild-organizer/ 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

]]> http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2008/05/27/new-guild-organizer/feed/ Thoughts from a worker on the organizing committee http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2008/04/14/thoughts-from-a-worker-on-the-organizing-committee/ http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2008/04/14/thoughts-from-a-worker-on-the-organizing-committee/#comments Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:43:23 +0000 admin http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2008/04/14/thoughts-from-a-worker-on-the-organizing-committee/ 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

]]> http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2008/04/14/thoughts-from-a-worker-on-the-organizing-committee/feed/ Looking for a Campaign Update? Important Meeting 1/30 http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2008/01/15/looking-for-a-campaign-update-important-meeting-130/ http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2008/01/15/looking-for-a-campaign-update-important-meeting-130/#comments Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:20:24 +0000 admin http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2008/01/15/looking-for-a-campaign-update-important-meeting-130/ 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.

]]> http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2008/01/15/looking-for-a-campaign-update-important-meeting-130/feed/ Changes at the top–Lindus Out, Post Comments Here! http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/11/27/changes-at-the-top-lindus-out-post-comments-here/ http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/11/27/changes-at-the-top-lindus-out-post-comments-here/#comments Wed, 28 Nov 2007 00:43:27 +0000 admin http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/11/27/changes-at-the-top-lindus-out-post-comments-here/ http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/11/27/changes-at-the-top-lindus-out-post-comments-here/feed/ The difference between the Pantagraph and a union workplace is… from a worker on the inside http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/11/12/the-difference-between-the-pantagraph-and-a-union-workplace-from-a-worker-on-the-inside/ http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/11/12/the-difference-between-the-pantagraph-and-a-union-workplace-from-a-worker-on-the-inside/#comments Tue, 13 Nov 2007 04:04:14 +0000 admin http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/11/12/the-difference-between-the-pantagraph-and-a-union-workplace-from-a-worker-on-the-inside/ 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.

]]> http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/11/12/the-difference-between-the-pantagraph-and-a-union-workplace-from-a-worker-on-the-inside/feed/ From the Inside http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/11/05/from-the-inside/ http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/11/05/from-the-inside/#comments Mon, 05 Nov 2007 16:43:46 +0000 admin http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/11/05/from-the-inside/ 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.

]]> http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/11/05/from-the-inside/feed/ Which Lee Medical Plan is Right For You? http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/11/02/which-lee-medical-plan-is-right-for-you/ http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/11/02/which-lee-medical-plan-is-right-for-you/#comments Sat, 03 Nov 2007 00:06:39 +0000 admin http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/11/02/which-lee-medical-plan-is-right-for-you/ 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. 

]]> http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/11/02/which-lee-medical-plan-is-right-for-you/feed/ Watch out for strangers… special holiday edition http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/10/30/watch-out-for-strangers-special-holiday-edition/ http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/10/30/watch-out-for-strangers-special-holiday-edition/#comments Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:36:35 +0000 admin http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/10/30/watch-out-for-strangers-special-holiday-edition/ 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

]]> http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/10/30/watch-out-for-strangers-special-holiday-edition/feed/ Comment about today’s letter–from an employee in Production http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/10/26/comment-about-todays-letter-from-an-employee-in-production/ http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/10/26/comment-about-todays-letter-from-an-employee-in-production/#comments Fri, 26 Oct 2007 22:33:03 +0000 admin http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/10/26/comment-about-todays-letter-from-an-employee-in-production/ 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

]]> http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/10/26/comment-about-todays-letter-from-an-employee-in-production/feed/ All invited to attend union meetings 10/24 & 10/25 http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/10/19/all-invited-to-attend-union-meetings-1024-1025/ http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/10/19/all-invited-to-attend-union-meetings-1024-1025/#comments Fri, 19 Oct 2007 13:41:41 +0000 admin http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/10/19/all-invited-to-attend-union-meetings-1024-1025/ 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

]]> http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/10/19/all-invited-to-attend-union-meetings-1024-1025/feed/ Reminder–meeting tomorrow night is at Lucca’s http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/09/26/reminder-meeting-tomorrow-night-is-at-luccas/ http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/09/26/reminder-meeting-tomorrow-night-is-at-luccas/#comments Thu, 27 Sep 2007 04:24:53 +0000 admin http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/09/26/reminder-meeting-tomorrow-night-is-at-luccas/ 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.

]]> http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/09/26/reminder-meeting-tomorrow-night-is-at-luccas/feed/ Labor Day Parade http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/08/28/labor-day-parade/ http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/08/28/labor-day-parade/#comments Tue, 28 Aug 2007 16:06:42 +0000 admin http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/08/28/labor-day-parade/ 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.

]]> http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/08/28/labor-day-parade/feed/ Blizzard http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/08/16/blizzard/ http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/08/16/blizzard/#comments Fri, 17 Aug 2007 03:34:55 +0000 admin http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/08/16/blizzard/ 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.

]]> http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/08/16/blizzard/feed/ Local media scoops the Pantagraph and covers our campaign! http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/08/16/wjbc-covers-our-campaign/ http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/08/16/wjbc-covers-our-campaign/#comments Fri, 17 Aug 2007 02:56:09 +0000 admin http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/08/16/wjbc-covers-our-campaign/

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

]]> http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/08/16/wjbc-covers-our-campaign/feed/ Rally tonight–rain or shine–management concerned enough to cut workday short? http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/08/16/rally-tonight-rain-or-shine-management-concerned-enough-to-cut-workday-short/ http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/08/16/rally-tonight-rain-or-shine-management-concerned-enough-to-cut-workday-short/#comments Thu, 16 Aug 2007 20:18:45 +0000 admin http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/08/16/rally-tonight-rain-or-shine-management-concerned-enough-to-cut-workday-short/ 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!

]]> http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/08/16/rally-tonight-rain-or-shine-management-concerned-enough-to-cut-workday-short/feed/ Labor rally to support right to organize! http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/08/15/labor-rally-to-support-right-to-organize/ http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/08/15/labor-rally-to-support-right-to-organize/#comments Wed, 15 Aug 2007 23:01:18 +0000 admin http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/08/15/labor-rally-to-support-right-to-organize/ 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

]]> http://www.pantagraphunion.org/blog/2007/08/15/labor-rally-to-support-right-to-organize/feed/