January 15, 2011 · 11:17 pm

Healthcare coverage issues

While the Indy News Guild has no influence over healthcare policies/packages, the disturbing news that Gannett has been slow to process our plans — which may give the appearance that you don’t have insurance even though you signed up for a plan and are paying for that plan through your paycheck — is cause for concern. Our advice is 1) call the phone number on your insurance card and speak to their reps to double-check on your status BEFORE you see a doctor or attempt a pharmacy visit or any other medical issue. If you sense problems, you can call Abby in the Star HR department who can navigate the red tape that you may encounter. Her number is 317-444-8162.

Thoughts go out to our colleague Jay Harvey for a speedy recovery!

— The officers and stewards of Indy News Guild 34070

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January 4, 2011 · 11:10 pm

Indy News Guild spared from Q1 furlough

This is a follow-up to an earlier e-mail regarding the Bob Dickey/corporate announcement today. It’s “good” news; the employees covered by the Indianapolis Guild will not be asked to participate in 1st Quarter furloughs. Publisher Karen Crotchfelt told this to Guild president Tom Spalding in the newsroom, in person, this afternoon. She also sent an e-mail to a reporter separately, same comment. We have asked for a statement from the company, in writing. That is pending.

Regardless, this is a victory for the contract. We’ve already made a huge financial sacrifice. The company knows our unit is NOT in a giving mood, especially given the outrageous bonuses paid out to Gannett’s executive leadership.

This is also a reminder that 2011 will represent another milestone year for the Guild, what with negotiations expected to commence in late summer/early fall. We thank you for all your support and/or feedback.

In solidarity,
the officers and stewards of Indianapolis News Guild 34070

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January 4, 2011 · 3:24 pm

News from Gannett regarding Q1 furloughs

An announcement was made this afternoon from Gannett that first-quarter unpaid furloughs will be instituted — and the email from Bob Dickey said that the company will be “communicating separately with union representatives to discuss the treatment of bargaining unit employees.” The Indy News Guild as of 2 p.m. has not been contacted by the company regarding what this “treatment” is going to be.

A few points:

  • We aren’t sure if our unit will be asked to take a 5-day unpaid leave as well, which in the past has amounted to a roughly 2% loss of a year’s worth of pay.
  • We’ll remind you (and them) that our membership, which is protected by a contract, has to vote on any matters regarding reduction in pay. Membership voted on 1Q and 2Q furloughs in 2009, and also took a 10% pay cut. If you’d like to vote, you need to be a dues paying member. Just send an e-mail to any officer listed in the to: field in this message.
  • We will remind the company that our newsroom and building services units have suffered enough financially. We’ll also remind them of the huge bonuses received by Craig Dubow, Bob Dickey et al that the Guild formally protested in letter to the SEC in 2010.

We’ll keep you posted on any new developments.

— Officers and stewards of Indy News Guild 34070

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December 22, 2010 · 1:25 pm

Statement regarding Karen Crotchfelt being named new publisher of Indianapolis Star

“As representative of our 166-member union, which has shrunk 27.5% since January 2008 due to layoffs and attrition, I welcomed Karen, who will be relocating with her family to Central Indiana. She’ll soon be a Hoosier, and we’re confident she will strive to make decisions that are good for the Indianapolis Star and good for the journalists and building services employees who we represent.” — Tom Spalding, President of Indianapolis News Guild Local No. 34070

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September 6, 2010 · 11:59 am

Keep It Local campaign begins in Indy

Keep It LocalGreetings to all of you on this Labor Day 2010.

This week, the Indianapolis News Guild will distribute new signs that we hope you will all hang/showcase/display, on your desks.

The sign says “Keep it Local” … and this will kick off our publicity campaign against the Gannett hub concept that threatens to break apart our newsroom. We believe that consolidated hubs are a mistake and that the best way for journalists to serve readers is by having journalism done locally.

Similar outreach efforts are being coordinated or are planned this week at the other Gannett properties that have unions including Rochester, St. Louis and Detroit and Sheboygan.

Attached is a copy of our flier — locally produced, of course, by one of our expert designers. They’ll match in color and attitude our desk tents and lanyards.

We hope all of you will participate with us.

In solidarity,
The Indy News Guild leadership team

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Filed under 2009 Contract Negotiations, General, Layoffs/Buyouts, Ongoing Issues