Continued uncertainty about negotiations
I watched with a fair amount of anguish for the fate of this city’s journalistic community the progress of the current negotiations. I am disappointed they have not been settled by now. I reject out of hand the possibility that both sides are seeking to emulate the Pennsylvania legislature and make important compensation decisions at 2:00 a.m.
I believe that any organization needs a large amount of stability to meet its goals. Respecting the seniority system for promotions and layoffs is one way to achieve stability. Having a worthwhile pension system that encourages employees to stay with their employer for long periods of time is a second way to achieve stability.
I am especially shocked that the seniority system is being challenged because the Inquirer/Daily News contract contains only five tiers, thus limiting the extra economic cost of more senior employees. The Philadelphia school district, by way of comparison, has ten or eleven tiers in its contract, and various suburban school districts have 15 to 25 tiers in their contracts. In short, the economic incentives for ending reliance on seniority for layoffs are far less than they are elsewhere.
As one who has studied the performance of large organizations in both the public and private sectors before and during my 33 years in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, including seven years as Chairman of the Labor Relations Committee, I believe that the best employees often need protection far more than the worst employees. The people who work extra hard-- who set high standards that are difficult to emulate-- are often the ones who may become somewhat controversial and arouse resentment of one kind or another. It is thus true in many cases that the most competent and most dedicated employees are more in danger of being fired than are other employees. The seniority system goes hand in hand with the protection of competence and dedication in the work force.
It is my strong hope that large scale layoffs can be avoided, and the seniority and pension systems can be fully preserved. I have done a lot of writing on the Internet, and I know from experience that solid journalism from professional journalists is the foundation that makes quality blogging, commenting, posting, etc. possible. Journalism and journalistic standards are constantly under attack from economic forces, and, as they erode, the amount of truth in the public dialogue erodes also. Quality journalism spreads truth and minimizes the occurrence of Stephen Colbert’s recent discovery of truthiness.
It has occurred to me that the magnificent building at 400 N. Broad Street could make a fine condominium some day. But I would hope that current management would realize that condos are now a dime a dozen, but good newspapers are quite rare. The Inquirer has a dedicated, innovative, and intellectually aware staff that should be maintained and heralded as a contribution to journalistic and urban excellence, and not discarded as though they are some kind of frivolous extravagance. Technology makes it possible to put out a newspaper with very few people, but such a newspaper is unlikely to be important enough for many people to read or advertise in.
State Rep Mark Cohen Dem PA
Chairman, House Democratic Caucus
Brian Tierney response to Mark Cohen email
Mark
We are in meetings as we speak and so I won’t be able to respond more fully—but know that the things we are requesting are based on a very thoughtful review of this paper as well as those around the country we admire—the concerns about seniority being the sole determinant are based upon a desire to foster the highest quality, and importantly, diversity—sadly, if we base things only on seniority it will make us a much less diverse news organization—it concerns me that we won’t reflect the diversity of our community—and it is obvious that are more recent hires are more diverse than those with more seniority—so, in the end it’s about balance—focusing in the end on excellence because that is what will best serve our community and the great traditions of this wonderful organization. I share your anguish, and I’ll bet I even feel it more than you because I “live” here now and have such a deep respect and admiration for the incredible people who make up this company. I hope the Guild will step up as the other nine unions have done to preserve the Inquirer and Daily News—all have made painful contributions to turn around this ship. Our work is too important to be lost to old thinking.
Brian