City Newspaper Archives - 4/2007
MEDIA: D&C union files labor charges
Published by Jeremy Moule on Apr 10, 2007
Newspaper Guild Local 17 has filed unfair labor practice charges with the NLRB's Buffalo office. It says Gannett officials abruptly halted bargaining discussions and improperly declared an impasse.
In November, the company presented the union with what it said was a firm and final offer. Union members voted it down, 51 to 4.
Guild leaders said the offer gutted worker protections and didn't extend a 401(k) plan to Guild members. The retirement plan, which other Gannett workers have, has been a major sticking point. The contract also would have changed the way overtime is calculated, from a daily to a weekly basis.
Despite the outcome of the vote, Gannett imposed the contract terms.
"Gannett has a long and glorious history of trying to break unions," said Steve Orr, a reporter and union official.
Now it's up to the NLRB to examine the filing and conduct its own investigation. If itagrees with the union, it could force Gannett back to the bargaining table. Or the matter could proceed through the legal system.
But the union hopes the company voluntarily agrees to resume contract negotiations, Orr said.
The Newspaper Guild local represents about 100 reporters, photographers, copy editors, and designers at the Democrat and Chronicle. It has been without a contract for 14 years.
A call seeking comment from Democrat and Chronicle officials was not returned.
