Indianapolis NewsGuild

The membership of the Indianapolis Newspaper Guild voted 97-9 today to reject a two-year contract proposal originally put forth by the company April 15. Because this was not a last, final offer the union bargaining team looks forward to resuming negotiations with representatives of Gannett and reaching a deal that is acceptable to both the company and to the journalists and building services workers committed to making the Indianapolis Star the best it can be.

• What: Secret-ballot vote on Gannett’s two-year contract offer
• When: Tuesday, June 30, noon-8 p.m.
• Where: Musicians Hall, across from Star parking garage, 325 N. Delaware St., Downtown Indy

This is just a reminder to set aside 5 to 15 minutes today and get to the polls any time during the eight-hour window. Cast your vote; I don’t care if it’s a “yes” or a “no” on the company’s deal — just use the election process to have your say. The country is watching, and we’ll let the trade pubs like E&P and local media like IBJ know the results later tonight … so let’s show them a great turnout!

For the Guild CWA Local 34070
Tom Spalding, president
(317) 340-7836

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Here’s a round-up of the significant changes:

• Permanent pay cut of 12 percent (8 percent cut July 1, 4 percent cut Oct. 1) for all Guild-represented employees.
• Employees whose pay would drop below the federal minimum wage with a 12 percent pay cut will be reduced only to the federal minimum wage.
• No pay increases for the term of the contract (two years from date of signing.)
• Minimum rates of pay steps remain in the contract but are reduced 12 percent and go dormant. Employees in the steps will not receive their automatic step increases during the term of the contract.
• Merit pool language remains in the contract but goes dormant. No merit pay increases for Guild-represented employees for the term of the contract.
• Regarding advertorial content, adds language to allow the Publisher flexibility to assign Guild members “traditional and non-traditional tasks.” Requires the Publisher to “be cognizant of and sensitive to its policy relating to ethics and conflicts of interest.” Side letter to the contract states in part, “the parties are in agreement that the Company’s current ethics policy does not allow editorial employees to produce advertorial copy.”
• In the event of layoffs, the company will consider seniority as the first factor along with individual skills and abilities and an employee’s performance and disciplinary history. The Guild gives up the right to grieve or seek arbitration on individual layoffs. We do have the right to grieve and arbitrate if the company ignores seniority or fails to use the criteria properly overall.
• Positions currently covered by the Guild contract (Graphics/Design: Day Design Editor, Night Design Editor; Digital Central, Calendar Editor) become exempt from all provisions of the contract.
• 10 positions become exempt from the overtime provision but still are covered by all other provisions of the contract (Cartoonist, Sports Columnist, Public Service Columnist, Conversations Central Columnist, On The Town Columnist, IU Sports Beat, Motor Sports Beat, Pacers Beat, Colts Beat, Sports Special Projects Beat.)
• On roundtrips of 100 miles or more, if an employee requests to use his/her own car rather than a company vehicle, the company will reimburse for actual fuel expenses only rather than the company’s fixed mileage rate.
• The paraprofessional job designation will cover calendar clerks, production liaisons and similar positions. Paraprofessionals may write stories of an uncomplicated nature.
• Changes the length of time the company has to give another day off to employees whose regular day off falls on a holiday from two weeks to up to 27 days.
• In addition to these contract changes: The Guild must withdraw its arbitration against the company on behalf of seven members laid off in December, 2008. The arbitration is scheduled to be heard July 28.

All other provisions of the current contract are unchanged.

Click here to download a PDF copy of the entire proposed contract

Results will be posted here on our Web site. You can also get the latest updates by following us on our Twitter account @indynewsguild.

The Indianapolis Newspaper Guild is reminding you to request an absentee ballot if you aren’t sure you’ll be here for the JUNE 30 vote — the vote is one week from today. [So far we’ve sent out 25!]. Wednesday June 24 is the deadline to request a ballot so you can get it in the mail to us quickly … so e-mail Tom Spalding at indystar68@yahoo.com to get yours delivered to you. We want 100% turnout. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to make your voice heard!

And for non-duespayers, this is a GREAT time to sign up. E-mail Tom at the same address.

Also: An information session is set for this Sunday, June 28, 2-4 p.m., Musicians Hall

Background, as always, on indynewsguild.com!

In solidarity, the News Guild contract team.

The Indianapolis Newspaper Guild is reminding you to request an absentee ballot if you aren’t sure you’ll be here for the JUNE 30 vote — that’s two weeks from today. [So far we’ve sent out 13]. You’ve only got a week until the deadline to request a ballot, so e-mail Tom Spalding at indystar68@yahoo.com to get yours delivered to you. We want 100% turnout. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to make your voice heard! And for non-duespayers, this is a GREAT time to sign up. E-mail Tom at the same address. In solidarity, the News Guild contract team.