CWA Local 9400-News

CWA NEWS

Successful negotiating requires

Mobilization and Support by Vice President Vicki Di Paolo

The Long Beach Press-Telegram bargaining unit has been negotiating with the Los Angeles Newspaper Group (LANG), the Southern-California arm of Denver-based media conglomerate MediaNews Group, for 15 months. Although it’s been a tough road, we’ve reached tentative agreements on a number of issues.

A solid wage proposal has yet to be reached however, because the company has tied wages to their ability to outsource any and all work. That has been a particularly difficult issue for us. The current contract language grants MediaNews the ability to outsource, with one caveat: No employees can be laid off as a result of outsourcing. That’s what MediaNews is fighting against, but we’re not backing down. Their refusal to negotiate regarding their ability to eliminate positions doesn’t bode well for job security, especially at a time when so many employees have already been laid off. MediaNews has offered the possibility of a wage increase in the first year (the employer’s current wage proposal is 0%, 2% & 2%), if we’re willing to sacrifice job security.

Since the employer terminated the contract in September, a lot of changes have swept through the Press-Telegram. The company has unilaterally changed the expense reimbursement system, violated the contractual status quo regarding pay step increases, shifted two departments to a non-union paper, laid-off newsroom staff, and remains adamant on their subcontracting work proposal.

While the Guild addresses MediaNews’ contractual violations and unilateral changes through the grievance process, we continue to mobilize. Support from the community, city leaders, and other Newspaper Guild and CWA locals from around the country are helping to spread the word: this isn’t just about wages and job security, it’s about making sure local journalism continues to play a vital role in our community.

Community support has been growing, showing MediaNews that the readers care about the quality of our newsroom. We have met with city leaders, other unions, and community groups, and the support has been overwhelming. Many expressed concerns about the paper, because they had already seen the effect that job cuts have had on local news coverage. The Long Beach city council voiced their concern with a unanimous vote to examine the relationship between the city and the Press-Telegram, and the value of advertising in a newspaper that’s becoming less and less relevant to its readers with every layoff.

The company has told us that revenues and circulation are down, pointing a finger at the Guild for contributing to their shaky finances. When we sat down in early 2007 to negotiate, MediaNews rebuffed us. Since then our contract was terminated, but applied pressure via mobilization and community actions have led to movement by the employer at the bargaining table. CWA/Guild members deserve job security and fair wages.

Our latest campaign needs your support. It’s another community action: I Won’t Buy It!

The “I Won’t Buy It!” campaign is a pledge for MediaNews subscribers and readers to show their support for our members and for quality local journalism. We’re asking you to send a message to MediaNews, by pledging to cancel your subscription if Press-Telegram workers don’t get a fair contract. Those who aren’t a subscriber can pledge to NOT purchase the Press-Telegram. Go to our web site, ww.cwa9400.com.