Friday, July 18, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Hope Lost
Marla Cone, a prize-winning environmental reporter at The Los Angeles Times, announced to members of the Society of Environmental Journalists that she was taking a buyout.
"After 30 years at newspapers, including 18 at the Times, I simply lost hope," Cone writes in a heartfelt message on Romenesko's blog.
You know where to go for the whole thing.
"After 30 years at newspapers, including 18 at the Times, I simply lost hope," Cone writes in a heartfelt message on Romenesko's blog.
You know where to go for the whole thing.
Sun rallies
BALTIMORE -- Nearly 200 people gathered outside The Sun today to protest 100 job cuts at the company, a show of force that will not change the outcome of these sad events but that leaders hope will demonstrate to the community what it is losing.
Guild leader Tanika White held back tears as she told the assembled crowd of reporters, copy editors, designers, ad reps and commercial-side employees that the company was hurting not only us but itself by allowing so many talented and distinguished employees to walk out the door.
Wearing signs with messages like "The Baltimore Sun: 'Lite' for All," and "You Own This Place, Now Lay Yourselves off," the assembled group cheered on Ms. White and occasionally chanted, "Sam Zell, it's time to sell."
CWA and Guild leaders also spoke, telling the group that they stood behind both those leaving and those staying. And CWA President Bernie Lunzer reminded everyone that these cuts are taking place all over the newspaper industry, and that those who stay must fight on as best they can to keep the newspaper's quality intact.
M. William Salganik, a business reporter who was recently, as he put it, paid to leave, said he admired all of those who are staying to fight on.
"You're my heroes," he said.
It has been a trying couple of weeks at Baltimore's flagship newspaper, ever since the paper's new owner, Sam Zell, announced that the Tribune company would need to make deep cuts. The paper is seeking to cut about 55 positions from the newsroom. Dozens of Sun "content providers" -- reporters, editors, photographers -- have applied for the company's buyout, which is funded through the company's pension.
Sun employees are now awaiting word as to whether the company will also do layoffs in the newsroom and elsewhere to meet their cutting goals. In recent days, it has not been unusual to see grim faces, tears and general malaise in a newsroom that is generally collegial and good-natured.
Many Sun employees said they did not expect the protest to change management's mind about the cuts, but it still made them feel a bit better to unleash some of their anger and frustration. These employees believe that the paper is about to lose some of its most talented and experienced people, who are leaving "voluntarily" only because they fear what they will be asked to do if they stay.
Several reporters took the mike after Ms. White spoke to voice their frustration about the gutting of this great newsroom. Environmental reporter Tom Pelton, known for his incisive coverage of, among other things, the poultry industry, said he wanted "no part" of a newspaper that would rather show pictures of Miley Cyrus than tell readers about important global events.
Longtime education reporter Mike Bowler, who said he was a member of the newspaper Guild for every day of his 34 years here, also spoke. As he did, reporters from the Associated Press and the City Paper feverishly scribbled notes. At least one Sun reporter wished she had a notebook so as to provide a better account of events.
It remained unclear whether anyone was covering the story for the next day's newspaper, but several multi-media savvy Sun reporters were videotaping the protest and planning to put the story on their own blogs and Facebook pages.
Guild leader Tanika White held back tears as she told the assembled crowd of reporters, copy editors, designers, ad reps and commercial-side employees that the company was hurting not only us but itself by allowing so many talented and distinguished employees to walk out the door.
Wearing signs with messages like "The Baltimore Sun: 'Lite' for All," and "You Own This Place, Now Lay Yourselves off," the assembled group cheered on Ms. White and occasionally chanted, "Sam Zell, it's time to sell."
CWA and Guild leaders also spoke, telling the group that they stood behind both those leaving and those staying. And CWA President Bernie Lunzer reminded everyone that these cuts are taking place all over the newspaper industry, and that those who stay must fight on as best they can to keep the newspaper's quality intact.
M. William Salganik, a business reporter who was recently, as he put it, paid to leave, said he admired all of those who are staying to fight on.
"You're my heroes," he said.
It has been a trying couple of weeks at Baltimore's flagship newspaper, ever since the paper's new owner, Sam Zell, announced that the Tribune company would need to make deep cuts. The paper is seeking to cut about 55 positions from the newsroom. Dozens of Sun "content providers" -- reporters, editors, photographers -- have applied for the company's buyout, which is funded through the company's pension.
Sun employees are now awaiting word as to whether the company will also do layoffs in the newsroom and elsewhere to meet their cutting goals. In recent days, it has not been unusual to see grim faces, tears and general malaise in a newsroom that is generally collegial and good-natured.
Many Sun employees said they did not expect the protest to change management's mind about the cuts, but it still made them feel a bit better to unleash some of their anger and frustration. These employees believe that the paper is about to lose some of its most talented and experienced people, who are leaving "voluntarily" only because they fear what they will be asked to do if they stay.
Several reporters took the mike after Ms. White spoke to voice their frustration about the gutting of this great newsroom. Environmental reporter Tom Pelton, known for his incisive coverage of, among other things, the poultry industry, said he wanted "no part" of a newspaper that would rather show pictures of Miley Cyrus than tell readers about important global events.
Longtime education reporter Mike Bowler, who said he was a member of the newspaper Guild for every day of his 34 years here, also spoke. As he did, reporters from the Associated Press and the City Paper feverishly scribbled notes. At least one Sun reporter wished she had a notebook so as to provide a better account of events.
It remained unclear whether anyone was covering the story for the next day's newspaper, but several multi-media savvy Sun reporters were videotaping the protest and planning to put the story on their own blogs and Facebook pages.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
New Job Listings Posted Over at
BaltimoreJournalismJobs.blogspot.com.... Local company looking for writer with med/sci and/or business writing experience. Another big Baltimore company looking to fill an internal communications position. Check back later for more listings.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Guild Rally, Thursday @ Noon
If you're a Sun worker, you should not miss this event. Bring your digital camera and snap photos. You can Twitter it for your friends, and post status updates to your Facebook page. Spread the word on the impending local crisis in journalism.
Maryland General job open
Apparently, there's also a PIO job open at Maryland General:
Resumes should go to ssmith-johnson@marylandgeneral.org .
Resumes should go to ssmith-johnson@marylandgeneral.org .
Jobs at Gallaudet available
Hey guys,
I think I'm supposed to post this stuff on the jobs blog, but I must admit to being fairly bad at all the blogging, so Gus, can you cross post? Thanks.
Anyway, got this today from a source. If it looks promising to any of you, please contact Ed. He's good people.
Tanika
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 12:44 PMTo: White, TanikaSubject: Very specialized, but good-paying communications positions are available at Gallaudet University
Tanika - I’m passing this along but there are some terrific opportunities available if a couple former SUN reporters or editors are willing to take the leap and learn American Sign Language (ASL). My former UMB boss, Paul Drehoff, has been hired to be the vice president of communications for Gallaudet University and he has at least seven positions to fill including a director of public relations and a director of media relations. You may be aware that every member of my staff here at UMB is a former reporter, editor, or news director. Over the years, I have learned that former reporters make the best media specialists because they ask the right questions and have the right understandings about what the news media need. In effect, we are translators between the university and the external news media. In the case of Gallaudet, they need people like Paul who can deal with the “hearing” news media, but also talk to the deaf campus community. Persons who are interested in these positions would not have to learn ASL overnight because translators are available, but they do need to make a serious commitment to learn. As Paul’s friend, I am beating the bushes trying to find that perfect person…a veteran reporter who may have a good reason for caring about Gallaudet because they have a deaf member of the family, for example. Ed
Ed Fishel
News Bureau Director
University of Maryland, Baltimore
Cell: 410-292-3925 Off: 410-706-3801
I think I'm supposed to post this stuff on the jobs blog, but I must admit to being fairly bad at all the blogging, so Gus, can you cross post? Thanks.
Anyway, got this today from a source. If it looks promising to any of you, please contact Ed. He's good people.
Tanika
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 12:44 PMTo: White, TanikaSubject: Very specialized, but good-paying communications positions are available at Gallaudet University
Tanika - I’m passing this along but there are some terrific opportunities available if a couple former SUN reporters or editors are willing to take the leap and learn American Sign Language (ASL). My former UMB boss, Paul Drehoff, has been hired to be the vice president of communications for Gallaudet University and he has at least seven positions to fill including a director of public relations and a director of media relations. You may be aware that every member of my staff here at UMB is a former reporter, editor, or news director. Over the years, I have learned that former reporters make the best media specialists because they ask the right questions and have the right understandings about what the news media need. In effect, we are translators between the university and the external news media. In the case of Gallaudet, they need people like Paul who can deal with the “hearing” news media, but also talk to the deaf campus community. Persons who are interested in these positions would not have to learn ASL overnight because translators are available, but they do need to make a serious commitment to learn. As Paul’s friend, I am beating the bushes trying to find that perfect person…a veteran reporter who may have a good reason for caring about Gallaudet because they have a deaf member of the family, for example. Ed
Ed Fishel
News Bureau Director
University of Maryland, Baltimore
Cell: 410-292-3925 Off: 410-706-3801
Monday, July 14, 2008
Head for the Bunker
Whew. Another tough day in the Tribune family.The LA Times broke the news to its newsroom that 150 people will begin getting forced out today; the bleeding will continue through the end of August. I read about it at TellZell.com. The only thing I wasn't clear on, from Russ Stanton's memo, is why they get to roll out their drastic cuts over the next 45 days, while ours are getting done quicker than you can say: "When will The Sun unify its Web operations with its newsroom, like the Washington Post is doing?"
Hello... Is this mike on? Anyone. Hello...?
Moving on....David Hiller, the LAT publisher resigned today, too (see LAT story.) Or did he? LAObserved has his "resignation" memo, where he sounds resigned, but doesn't seem terribly thrilled about resigning. He sounds like a real gentleman, but honestly, so many top people have come and gone at the LAT lately that I feel the urge to craft a charticle to keep track of all the shuffles.
By the way, LAObserved has been doing a kick-butt job of informing the public and the journalism world about all the fast-and-furious changes hitting our big corner of the journalism world (check out Kevin Roderick's blog). Should Tribune newsrooms be dedicating far more coverage to this massive shift in our company's direction lately? I bet a lot of Trib employees are checking out LAObserved a couple times a day, right? Why aren't we covering ourselves to death instead of holding off-the-record meetings, tying the hands of our reporters from writing about them, and watching other media outlets scoop our own news! It doesn't make sense! Will people read more stories about the shrinkage of newspapers if we offer them compelling coverage of it? Would it be ironic if our circulation/readership actually rose if we did a superior job of covering the struggles of newspapers? This is all so meta. I can't think about this anymore 'cuz it hurts my head, so on to the next topical news item....
Which is the resignation of the Chicago Tribune's top editor, Ann Marie Lipinski. (See the Trib article.) Wow... as I write this, I'm having trouble thinking about the last time there was such big news coming out of Tribune, at least in my eight years at The Sun.
Anyway, though I may sound crotchety, I am so because I love my job and the people I do it with -- and I, like many of you, feel almost powerless in stemming the tide of what is hitting us.
But if you're are leaving the Sun, or the LAT, or Chicago or other Trib papers, there's a good chance you'll be leaving journalism for good. And I hope you're prepared for that reality or that decision, if it is yours to make. (TellZell just posted a good breakdown on job cuts hitting various Trib papers. It's no eye-popping charticle, but it gets the job done. Thanks, R.)
As I talk to people who left journalism years ago for other industries, many of them recount their times at newspapers as the best years of their lives. It is like that with me. It is like that with many people I work with at the Sun.
So, when we fight and question and express our anger, Trib management, it is not because we are trying to be wise-asses. It is because we love what we do. We fight because we feel someone is robbing us of not just a career, a future and a paycheck, but something that is dear to our hearts, something that keeps us getting out of bed in the morning. What type of people would we be if we didn't fight for the things we love?
UPDATE: I forgot to answer my own rhetorical question, so here goes: If we didn't fight, we'd be wussies. That's right. Wussies.
Friday, July 11, 2008
The Measure of a Company
As I watched a few of my colleagues break down and cry today in the newsroom, I couldn't help but think: How did we come to this?
And I thought: Here I am, at a once-great Maryland company, and we're down-sizing. Scores of my colleagues -- lovers of truth, the printed word, and fairness -- will soon walk out onto North Calvert Street, and never return to journalism again.
This is not right-sizing. Nothing about this is right.
These people at The Sun who have been here until now... they love what they do. They do it extremely well. They probably should've left Tribune a looooong time ago. But they stuck around, hoping and trusting and believing that our well-paid executive leadership would get us out of this jam. They stuck around because they still got a kick out of reporting in Baltimore.
They stuck around because being a reporter truly is the life of kings. (Thanks, Mencken)
But when it was time for them to go, our publisher, Timothy E. Ryan, gave them 12 days to decide on their future. Twelve days to pick themselves up, dust themselves off, and -- for many who are in the middle of their careers -- to try to find another way to put food on the table for their families and pay their mortgages in one of the toughest job markets in years.
What happened today... the loss is incalculable. Sure, Tribune will get its numbers. They always do.
But you can't put a price on what was lost today.
Thanks, Sun.
And I thought: Here I am, at a once-great Maryland company, and we're down-sizing. Scores of my colleagues -- lovers of truth, the printed word, and fairness -- will soon walk out onto North Calvert Street, and never return to journalism again.
This is not right-sizing. Nothing about this is right.
These people at The Sun who have been here until now... they love what they do. They do it extremely well. They probably should've left Tribune a looooong time ago. But they stuck around, hoping and trusting and believing that our well-paid executive leadership would get us out of this jam. They stuck around because they still got a kick out of reporting in Baltimore.
They stuck around because being a reporter truly is the life of kings. (Thanks, Mencken)
But when it was time for them to go, our publisher, Timothy E. Ryan, gave them 12 days to decide on their future. Twelve days to pick themselves up, dust themselves off, and -- for many who are in the middle of their careers -- to try to find another way to put food on the table for their families and pay their mortgages in one of the toughest job markets in years.
What happened today... the loss is incalculable. Sure, Tribune will get its numbers. They always do.
But you can't put a price on what was lost today.
Thanks, Sun.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Vote in the Buyout Poll Before Tomorrow
Please help your fellow Guild members get a sense of who is/is not taking the buyout. Go to the jobs blog and vote in the anonymous poll.
So far, 14 people have cast their votes -- and the results may surprise you. No, shock you. No, they will absolutely, positively make you think: this poll needs to be in the Hot-L! Stat!
Okay, I'll cut it with the hyperbole. Just go vote. We're all curious. Thanks.
So far, 14 people have cast their votes -- and the results may surprise you. No, shock you. No, they will absolutely, positively make you think: this poll needs to be in the Hot-L! Stat!
Okay, I'll cut it with the hyperbole. Just go vote. We're all curious. Thanks.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
"We Need to be in one building so we can learn what the other does..."
And now, ye' faithful News of the Sun subscribers, our first-ever Pop News Quiz:
Who said the phrase that's the title of this blog post: "We need to be in one building so we can learn what the other does"?
First person to scour the Internet, find the reference in a very recent news article and post the link in the comments below (with a short synopsis of the article) gets a free cup of coffee and a cookie from me tomorrow!
Ready....
Set.....
GO!
P.S. All Pop News Quizzes are open to both Guild and non-Guild Sun employees. You can't win if you don't play.
P.P.S. If you're not a Sun employee but want to show your smarts, send your response to gussentementes(at)gmail(dot)com. Just don't ruin the contest for my colleagues. Thanks!
Who said the phrase that's the title of this blog post: "We need to be in one building so we can learn what the other does"?
First person to scour the Internet, find the reference in a very recent news article and post the link in the comments below (with a short synopsis of the article) gets a free cup of coffee and a cookie from me tomorrow!
Ready....
Set.....
GO!
P.S. All Pop News Quizzes are open to both Guild and non-Guild Sun employees. You can't win if you don't play.
P.P.S. If you're not a Sun employee but want to show your smarts, send your response to gussentementes(at)gmail(dot)com. Just don't ruin the contest for my colleagues. Thanks!
Job Posting: Assistant PR Director at Local University
Check out the listing at BaltimoreJournalismJobs.blogspot.com. They're seeking someone with some multimedia savvy -- not a lot.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Reinvent yourself meeting
The Gus meeting to discuss what we do next with our lives is at 415 St. Paul Place.
If you're going, best way is to walk up the hill directly acorss from our front steps, make a left at the top of the hill, and it's about a block down the road. Guild office is upstairs.
For those of you who couldn't make the lunchtime meeting, I may be able to post a summary of it. i wasn't there, but i think someone is doing a bulletin on what was said...
If you're going, best way is to walk up the hill directly acorss from our front steps, make a left at the top of the hill, and it's about a block down the road. Guild office is upstairs.
For those of you who couldn't make the lunchtime meeting, I may be able to post a summary of it. i wasn't there, but i think someone is doing a bulletin on what was said...
Monday, July 7, 2008
And Don't Forget ....
In addition to the Q&A on the buyout packet tomorrow (see details in previous post), some friendly ex-journalists will be sharing their wisdom on how to find a job outside of newspapers.
Here are the deets:
5:30 p.m. -- Panel of former journalists discuss how to make the transition from newspapers to something that's (hopefully) better for you. Location: Guild offices on St. Paul. For more details, visit the jobs blog.
Here are the deets:
5:30 p.m. -- Panel of former journalists discuss how to make the transition from newspapers to something that's (hopefully) better for you. Location: Guild offices on St. Paul. For more details, visit the jobs blog.
Q&A About the Buyout -- A Drop-in Event
Guild Bulletin:
With less than a week to go to make decisions about the Sun's buyout plan, many of you have asked several good questions about how the buyout works and whether taking a buyout is a good choice for you and your family.
What are the tax consequences of taking a lump sum payment? Can I apply for unemployment insurance? If I sign this Waiver and Release, what does that really mean?
The Guild wants to help with some of your legal or financially-related questions. So we've asked a few folks to come set up shop for a couple hours to talk to you about what you want to know.
We'll hold a little seminar on Tuesday, July 8 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Ignatius Church (just up the street from The Sun).
Among those invited are:
The experts can't provide individual financial planning, but will be on hand to answer general questions as best they can. The format will be drop-in style. So stop by whenever you have a moment in your work day that is mutually agreeable between you and your supervisor.
What: Financial Help with Buyout Package
When: Tuesday, July 8 -- anytime from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: St. Ignatius Church
740 N. Calvert St.
Drop in anytime between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. All interested employees, regardless of Guild or non-Guild status, are welcome.
GUILD OFFERS BUYOUT HELP
With less than a week to go to make decisions about the Sun's buyout plan, many of you have asked several good questions about how the buyout works and whether taking a buyout is a good choice for you and your family.
What are the tax consequences of taking a lump sum payment? Can I apply for unemployment insurance? If I sign this Waiver and Release, what does that really mean?
The Guild wants to help with some of your legal or financially-related questions. So we've asked a few folks to come set up shop for a couple hours to talk to you about what you want to know.
We'll hold a little seminar on Tuesday, July 8 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Ignatius Church (just up the street from The Sun).
Among those invited are:
- Bob Paul, Guild attorney
- Pamela R. Graham, Registered Principal and Financial Advisor at Pro Wealth Management
- Bill Salganik, Guild leader extraordinaire (Bill just took this very buyout in March and can help).
- Stephanie Shapiro, former Features reporter (Stephanie also took the buyout in March).
- Tax Attorney, TBA
The experts can't provide individual financial planning, but will be on hand to answer general questions as best they can. The format will be drop-in style. So stop by whenever you have a moment in your work day that is mutually agreeable between you and your supervisor.
What: Financial Help with Buyout Package
When: Tuesday, July 8 -- anytime from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: St. Ignatius Church
740 N. Calvert St.
Drop in anytime between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. All interested employees, regardless of Guild or non-Guild status, are welcome.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
The Sun's July 2008 Employee Voluntary Separation Plan
Below is The Sun's buyout offer to Guild-represented employees. I am posting this document in order to solicit comments from legal experts in Maryland and across the country. If you are knowledgeable in employment law and are willing to help a few soon-to-be-out-work journalists, please take some time to read this document and offer us your two cents. You can post anonymously -- or shoot me an email at gussentementes(at)gmail(dot)com, and I'll share your comments privately with my colleagues.
If you are a Sun employee, please disseminate this document far and wide across the Internet. Send it to your lawyer friends, or to friends who know lawyers. I am particularly interested in what the buyout packet at other Tribune papers looks like.
In understanding the context of this buyout offer, one needs to know the time-table that Sun management imposed as a take-it-or-leave it scenario to its employees, whose buyout packages are being funded by their own pension money. The overarching question: Does this buyout offer violate any state or federal laws, whether it be from a time-frame standpoint or from our requirement to waive certain rights should we accept the buyout?
Here is the time-table:
If you are a Sun employee, please disseminate this document far and wide across the Internet. Send it to your lawyer friends, or to friends who know lawyers. I am particularly interested in what the buyout packet at other Tribune papers looks like.
In understanding the context of this buyout offer, one needs to know the time-table that Sun management imposed as a take-it-or-leave it scenario to its employees, whose buyout packages are being funded by their own pension money. The overarching question: Does this buyout offer violate any state or federal laws, whether it be from a time-frame standpoint or from our requirement to waive certain rights should we accept the buyout?
Here is the time-table:
Wednesday, June, 25 --Sun announces it will cut 100 positions in "a combination of closing open positions, attrition, and voluntary and involuntary separation plans."
Friday, June 27 – Voluntary separation packets will be available to all employees (availability to Guild-represented employees is being negotiated with the Guild). Volunteers will have two weeks, through Friday, July 11, to apply. (*** Guild employees actually received their buyout packets on Monday, June 30, allowing them 12 days to consider the buyout offer.)
Friday, July 11 – Thursday, July 17 – Volunteers will be notified whether their applications were accepted or not; decisions on involuntary separations will be made based upon voluntary results.
Friday, July 18 – Employees who are part of the involuntary separation plan will be notified. Voluntary and involuntary separations will occur in early August.
More on the Age Discrimination in Employment Act
Just wondering: Do certain aspects of The Sun's buyout offer violate the U.S. Age Discrimination in Employment Act?
Specifically this passage (found here):
Specifically this passage (found here):
(F) (i) the individual is given a period of at least 21 days withinO' Sun: Why rush this through so quickly that you flirt with violating the ADEA and risk employee lawsuits? Does our company need even more liability hanging over its head in the future?
which to consider the agreement (We received 12 days); or
(ii) if a waiver is requested in connection with an exit incentive
or other employment termination program offered to a group or class of
employees, the individual is given a period of at least 45 days within
which to consider the agreement;
(G) the agreement provides that for a period of at least 7 days
following the execution of such agreement, the individual may revoke the
agreement, and the agreement shall not become effective or enforceable
until the revocation period has expired; (The Sun forced us to drop our right to a 7 day revocation period.)
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Tons o' Jobs
Fyi, I just posted tons o' jobs over on the jobs blog. They're all in the journalism field and only one appears to be in Baltimore. Some look pretty decent. Go take a gander.Hope everyone has a Happy 4th of July!
I'm curious
about the documents that The Sun is supposed to file (or perhaps already has filed) with the US Department of Labor, in disclosing this buyout plan under ERISA. Has anybody from the union looked at these documents in this situation, or in past buyout situations? We're are entitled to view them, per page 9 of the buyout packet.
I find it interesting that the buyout plan is being bound by ERISA, which "imposes duties upon the people who are responsible for the" buyout package. ERISA binds "fiduciaries" (The Baltimore Sun) of the buyout plan to operate it "prudently and in the interests of eligible employees." (again, page 9)
I wonder how this "duty" squares with our right to revoke our acceptance of a buyout, which we gave up. You sign your name, you don't get to change your mind. I'm not sure how this requirement is in the "interests of eligible employees."
I also don't understand how The Sun can give people only TWELVE days to contemplate a buyout notice -- which includes a long holiday weekend -- when people who get laid off will get ONE MONTH notice, per the Guild contract. How is this time-frame "prudent" and "in the interests of eligible employees," under ERISA?
Just some things to think about and discuss amongst ourselves, with our Guild representatives, and hopefully, your own very good employment lawyer.
I find it interesting that the buyout plan is being bound by ERISA, which "imposes duties upon the people who are responsible for the" buyout package. ERISA binds "fiduciaries" (The Baltimore Sun) of the buyout plan to operate it "prudently and in the interests of eligible employees." (again, page 9)
I wonder how this "duty" squares with our right to revoke our acceptance of a buyout, which we gave up. You sign your name, you don't get to change your mind. I'm not sure how this requirement is in the "interests of eligible employees."
I also don't understand how The Sun can give people only TWELVE days to contemplate a buyout notice -- which includes a long holiday weekend -- when people who get laid off will get ONE MONTH notice, per the Guild contract. How is this time-frame "prudent" and "in the interests of eligible employees," under ERISA?
Just some things to think about and discuss amongst ourselves, with our Guild representatives, and hopefully, your own very good employment lawyer.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Financial implications meeting
Hey all --
The Guild is working to pull together a panel of folks to speak with us about the financial implications of a buyout/layoff (tax-wise, unemployment-insurance-wise, pension-wise, etc). We don't have the details all worked out, but it looks like it's going to be on Tuesday (7/8) around 2 p.m. at St. Ignatius Church. Firm details are TBA, however.
One plus: Bill Salganik, Guild leader extraordinaire who JUST took this very same buyout, has agreed to be on the panel. So he should be of great help, especially when paired with the other people we're arranging to be there.
We know 2 p.m. is a difficult time for many of you, but your editors/supervisors should understand that this is really important.
OK, stay tuned for more details.
Thanks!
Tanika and Lynn
The Guild is working to pull together a panel of folks to speak with us about the financial implications of a buyout/layoff (tax-wise, unemployment-insurance-wise, pension-wise, etc). We don't have the details all worked out, but it looks like it's going to be on Tuesday (7/8) around 2 p.m. at St. Ignatius Church. Firm details are TBA, however.
One plus: Bill Salganik, Guild leader extraordinaire who JUST took this very same buyout, has agreed to be on the panel. So he should be of great help, especially when paired with the other people we're arranging to be there.
We know 2 p.m. is a difficult time for many of you, but your editors/supervisors should understand that this is really important.
OK, stay tuned for more details.
Thanks!
Tanika and Lynn
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