After nearly 16 years of difficult and sometimes stalled negotiations, the union that represents approximately 90 reporters, photographers, copy editors, multi-media journalists and artists at the Democrat and Chronicle reached a new labor agreement with the newspaper’s parent company, Gannett Co. Inc. Union-represented employees voted to accept the two-year contract July 15, ensuring a strong voice in the workplace, and job protections and benefits that are guaranteed and enforceable under law. “Given the turmoil and challenges in the newspaper industry today, this is no small feat,” said Steve Orr, president of Local 17, Newspaper Guild of Rochester. “We have workplace rules that cannot be changed on a whim. We have the ability to question unfair decisions without fear of retribution, which is more than many other newspaper employees across the country can say. It took a long time to get to this point, and we are extremely grateful for the support we’ve received from inside and outside the newsroom.” In late June Gannett officials offered to end an 18-month bargaining hiatus and resume talks with the Newspaper Guild of Rochester. The largest newspaper company in the country had just announced that it would freeze its pension plan but enhance the 401(k) for its 46,000 employees. Labor law required Gannett to seek union approval of the pension cut. The Rochester Guild took that opportunity to gain resolution of other outstanding matters pertaining strictly to the Democrat and Chronicle workforce. “It would be misleading to say the union achieved all its goals. We accepted language on layoffs and discipline, for example, that falls well short of our initial proposal,” Orr said. “Over the long course of the negotiations, the company insisted on give-backs on overtime, sick leave, maternity leave and in many other areas. “But our final agreement includes a number of gains as well. And it provides our union-represented employees access to the company 401(k) – something Gannett had denied them, in an attempt to bust the union, since creating the retirement plan more than 20 years ago.” In addition to Orr, members of the Rochester Guild bargaining committee included reporters Gary Craig and Matt Daneman, and designer Sarah Crupi. Over the years, many other Guild members volunteered countless hours at the bargaining table and on picket lines, and worked in other ways to keep the workforce energized. “The depth of this support is what enabled us to get through the long slog,” said Craig, the local’s secretary. “We wouldn’t have reached this milestone without the backing of many community leaders.” Among them are Rochester & Genesee Valley Area Labor Federation president Jim Bertolone; federation executive vice president Bruce Popper; vice president Dave Young; and state Assemblywoman Susan John, chair of the Labor Committee. Marian Needham, a Buffalo-based sector representative for the Guild, gave the local a great deal of guidance as well. During the 16-year period without a new contract, the company honored most of the terms of the old agreement, and Guild members continued to receive raises and benefits. The long duration is attributable in good part to the fact that Gannett’s bargaining team would only meet for short sessions once every few months. In some years, the parties negotiated the equivalent of only one or two work days. For more information Call Gary Craig, 258-2479 E-mail Local17@rochester.rr.com Visit www.RochesterGuild.org
UNION STARTS PROTEST OF DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
Newspaper Guild of Rochester creates petition, blasts Democrat and Chronicle in new advertising campaign
July 10, 2007
The Newspaper Guild of Rochester today launched an aggressive advertising campaign against the Democrat and Chronicle in hopes of ending the longest labor dispute in Rochester – a nearly 15-year dispute.
Because the Democrat and Chronicle has refused to offer a fair contract to workers represented by the Newspaper Guild of Rochester, the Guild has started an online petition drive and is embarking on a lengthy advertising campaign, starting today with ads on local radio stations.
The goal is to have the community encourage Democrat and Chronicle Publisher Michael Kane to get back to the bargaining table and end a labor dispute that has simply gone on for too long.
“We hope our latest initiative will get the attention of the Democrat and Chronicle and parent company Gannett Co. so they will join us in trying to reach a contract settlement that both sides can agree on,” said Guild President Steve Orr.
The Newspaper Guild, which represents about 100 reporters, photographers, copy editors and designers at the Democrat and Chronicle, has been without a contract since September 1992.
In January, Mr. Kane sat silent as parent company Gannett Inc. imposed conditions that strips benefits and cuts workplace protections, such as the ability to arbitrate layoffs and limits seniority benefits.
To learn more about the campaign or to listen to the latest radio ad, visit www.rochesterguild.org
About Local 17
Local 17 of the Newspaper Guild represents about 100 reporters, photographers, copy editors and designers at the Democrat and Chronicle. Along with its parent unions, The Newspaper Guild and The Communications Workers of America, Local 17 works to protect worker rights and benefits as well as serve as a defender of quality journalism in the Rochester area. For more information, visit: www. www.rochesterguild.org
May 4, 2007
Donald E. Bain, Ph.D.
President
St. John Fisher College
3690 East Avenue
Rochester, NY 14618 D
Dear Dr. Bain:
The Rochester & Genesee Valley Area Labor Federation, which represents 100,000 working men and women in the Rochester area, is dismayed and disappointed that you have selected Democrat and Chronicle publisher Michael Kane as your commencement speaker this year.
For nearly 15 years, the Democrat and Chronicle has failed to negotiate a fair contract with its roughly 100 newsroom employees who are members of The Newspaper Guild of Rochester. It’s the longest labor dispute in Rochester.
Under Mr. Kane’s leadership, the Democrat and Chronicle and parent company Gannett Inc. imposed a contract on its newsroom employees in January that strips benefits, cuts workplace protections and prohibits union employees from participating in the company’s 401k plan -- a benefit enjoyed by the rest of the Democrat and Chronicle.
Is this the type of leader you want to hold up to your young graduates? To honor Mr. Kane and give him an honorary degree is an insult to the hard workers of this community and flies in the face of ongoing collaborative efforts between labor and business in the Rochester area. Mr. Kane and St. John Fisher talk frequently about trying to help Rochester retain jobs, keep young people and bolster economic development efforts.
Yet he has sat silent as Gannett mistreats his own employees and as more than 30 talented newsroom employees – many young workers -- have left the Democrat and Chronicle under his tenure. We all share in the hope for a bright future for Rochester. Yet Gannett Inc. and the Democrat and Chronicle under Mr. Kane have not fulfilled its important role as the area’s only daily newspaper. The paper is smaller. Popular features have been slashed. Talented employees are fleeing.
We encourage St. John Fisher to discuss with Mr. Kane how he can do better for his workers and for the Rochester community. Please encourage him settle his union issues once and for all.
Additionally, we hope St. John Fisher in the future will choose its commencement speakers more carefully and with greater sensitivity to the local workforce.
Thank you, and the labor community looks forward to working with you in the future.
Sincerely,
James Bertolone President, Rochester & Genesee Valley Area Labor Federation