MORE TALKS; MORE MOBILIZING

NOVEMBER 10, 2006

The Guild bargaining committee today presented the company a number of proposals on advertising that would give members protections against unreasonable sales goals, input on changes to sales territories and guaranteed commissions on sales into Philadelphia Newspapers’ affiliates.

Editorial proposals also were submitted as part of the Guild’s effort to both help the company expand into other communications mediums and protect the jobs of current employees.

No discussions were held on pension or sick/health benefits. The Guild maintains its opposition to any change in the long-standing seniority provisions of the contract regarding layoffs.

Because the mediator will be unavailable, the next round of talks will not take place until Thursday.

That gives us a much-needed break for other important work. The Secretary-Treasurer from The Newspaper Guild’s Washington, D.C. office will be in town Monday as part of the necessary planning for pay and health-care coverage for members in the event of a lockout or strike.

Members this week are encouraged to contact the Guild at Voices@Local-10.com or any mobilizer about participating in mobilizing, community outreach and strike-preparation activities. These are necessary steps as we get closer to the Nov. 30 contract extension expiration date.

The company is busy with its own strike preparations, including instructing managers on the use of the Mactive computer system that has frustrated our advertising sales staff and their clients for years. The Guild is pleased to see managers are finally getting a first-hand account of the Mactive experience.

In the meantime, let’s all hope for progress toward a fair contract.

Direct questions to Voices@Local-10.com