Saturday, January 06, 2007

EIGHT Votes: Union YES at LA Times

The vote is in and it was close:
140 Yes
139 No




All but 18 people voted.
Unionization by ONE vote.
Proof that every vote counts.
Ed will be back later. He's at the meeting and will report to you with the latest updates.

*Correction-The final tally was 140 yes to 131 no. Sorry for the typo.* -Ed
So much for Ed's accuracy in text messaging and leaving messages on my phone! -Kanani

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Ed,
Are you that stupid? The vote was 140
to 131.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

The boys in Chicago needed a spanking, good work you guys

Anonymous said...

hummm It was 140 - 131

; )

Anonymous said...

Eddie
Help me what should I do next?
We have a your union..

Anonymous said...

Why is the vote hotline reporting:
Yes 140
No 131

That's a spread of nine, not one. Do you have you facts straight?

Anonymous said...

Hello ??... Hello?.....Heeelllloooowww..anybody
here ??!!

Anonymous said...

How come the union vote hotline says

Yes 140
No 131

That's a nine vote spread, not one. Do you have your facts straight?

Anonymous said...

Not to bring down the union victory. But just being open and honest. History tells us that when the union was in our shops it lasted a very short time. It was voted out quickly within a year or so. All we can hope is the best for everyone. Remember just under half voted NO.

Anonymous said...

All pressroom employee's no matter what your feelings everybody had a opinion and a right to voice it.Times managers did their best, teamsters won they fought a good fight congrats to marty, ronnie.Lets get back to our job and run I hope the Teamsters represent all of us well and don't make the mistakes of union pasts this is your chance Rick Hernandez O.C pressroom operator

Anonymous said...

Organizers and pressroom workers (140) whopped and hollered with delight. " we finally got'em. It took 40 years!" There's a reason it took 40 years press people, and there is even a greater reason the vote was so close. There are still quite a few press people (131) who feel strongly about the Tribune Company, keep that in mind as you bargin for the rights of all pressman. The decisions you make for all future press people will be watched closely by all. The union now has a chance to show what it can do, I would hope that a contract will be agreeded upon by all as soon as possible. Your future as representatives for the pressroom is now on the table, all that you have promised is at stake. Was it all truthful? How long will the process take? I am sure you will fault the Tribune Company if negotiations are stalled, but I would hope that putting my future into your hands you have a plan for all of this. I would hope the celebrating would take place after a contract is in place, you have just started people lets keep focused and concentrate on what is right for all pressman. As a pressman that voted " NO " I am willing to accept change, but like all press people the change must be acceptable to all and must take place A.S.A.P. The forum is all yours Union Boys lets see what you have!

Kanani said...

So much for Ed's accuracy in TEXT MESSAGING!
Yes, 140 - 131.

Anonymous said...

I’m a little confused...... Why did the pressroom folks want the Union? Was it because they wanted better pay....... better benefits...... better working conditions..... less out of pocket expenses? Maybe it was a “guarantee” of a job for life.... that must be it! I wouldn’t hold my breath!

Could it be that the company will now outsource the printing of the LA Times, like they did up in San Francisco. Could they sell the two printing facilities with the equipment to another company? Would this be less expense expensive than maintaining the current assets (people, presses & facilities) and dealing with the union?

Good luck people... you may have gotten more than you bargained for. As for all the folks that maintain the equipment/facility, package the product and handle the newsprint, for your sake, I hope that that doesn’t happen and that you don’t get caught up in something that was not your doing.

Anonymous said...

No company that is taking bids to be sold would be foolish enough to finalize a union contract. Good luck dealing with Geffen, Broad, Burkle, or god help you Murdoch. You'll be lucky if the paper is not printed in Mexico in a few years.

Anonymous said...

You know it is interesting, I heard concerns that “outsiders” from Chicago were running the Los Angeles Times. Now we have another group of “outsiders” representing the pressroom employees. Hummmmmmm, interesting one group of “outsiders” talking to another group of “outsiders” to determine what is best for the “insiders”. Boy.... what a strange world we live in!!!

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Hey LAT pressroom team union this is an E ticket Mickey (xxxxx)* you just help kill an old west coast USA trade and just maybe give it to a third world or.... THANK YOU ALL for YES to kill a trade. PS In your next life LAT press people before you chose a trade to work, please work another job to see what is is really like to work for a liven, thank you again an there is an upstairs in our pressrooms:)

*name edited out of the above comment, please no personal attacks, let's keep things civil.
Jess

Anonymous said...

Dont hold your breath waiting for a contract! With about 49 percent voting no the times knows they are not under a lot of pressure to settle.The company may even hold out for an open shop for us 49 percent so we dont have to join the union. I figure the easiest course for the company will be to sandbag and take away our long lunches and bustouts and after the year certification period is up they will be decertified once again after everyone gets tired of no raise and " long" work hours!

Anonymous said...

An open shop would be great! Count me in!

Anonymous said...

What a shame for once the Majority is correct!!
We have a chance to help in the direction of OUR Company!!!
Most of us are Shareholders, now we have a contract just like the FAT-CATS.
Lets all give this a try I bet we like it….

Anonymous said...

Uh, correction, we don't have a contract! We have to negotiate a prospective contract, and then vote to approve it. This can be a long drawn out process, let's hope for the best, some union locals have went years without successfully negotiating a contract that is acceptable to both the union and company management. At this point all we can do is hope for the best, keep your fingers crossed!

Anonymous said...

I am sorry to disappoint you all but you have to work in a " right to work state" , Ca. is not one of these. Because of this law YOU DO NOT HAVE THE OPTION to have an open shop. You will be in this union for at least one year.


The world is changing at a rapid pace. All business have to stay competitive like never before, so many jobs are going to 3RD world countries. We are part of the problem demanding low prices so things are manufactured elsewhere. Walk through your homes and I am sure 3/4 of your things were not made here. Where did those jobs go? How many foreign cars do you all drive? Call your bank lately? My calls to the bank go to India . ETC., ETC... USA companies have to stay competitve not because of greed but because of competitive companies and countries around the world.

The union was not the answer.
God help us all.

MR.OC

Anonymous said...

Los Angeles Police Department
Los Angeles Fire Department
California Teacher Association
Longshore Employees

Here a just a few groups that have union representation, why do I detect we need God to help us???
Are these groups smarter than us?? Ooooohhhhh
The above groups will crack up laughing if the were to read most comments that are posted here!!!
CAUTION….. OUR MAGEMENT WILL READ THIS!!!!
THEY WILL SMILE AT ALL OF THIS BICKERING!!!

Anonymous said...

Those unions are extremly powerful because of there number of memebers. How many members in the Ca. teachers union ? A few hundred thousand or a million teachers at least... 300 in this is one nothing...

Anonymous said...

Mr. OC we may have to " be in the union for one year" but we don't have to go along with it! How would you Union Boys feel if we gave what you have given this company the past few years? I have seen many disgruntled Union Boys give 10% in this shop, let's see how you feel when you get it back now! Oh by the way, those blankets you only washed on one set up, and those folders you never cleaned, and the ink rails you never pulled backed to clean, along with all pipe rollers that have been ignored, you all have plenty of time to address these key areas without your hour and half lunches, and your BUSTOUTS out the door! Cheer's to a full 7 1/2 hour shift!

Anonymous said...

The FATCATS still call the shots. You union guys are only 51 percent 49 percent still side with our company. ALSO LOTS OF US STILL DISAGREE. With the out come until we all agree on a contract.And most likely we are a long way off. By the time that comes we will probably vote the union OUT. Oh by the way we are still divided and not ready to unite. PEACE

Anonymous said...

48.34% Union No
51.66% Union YES

Anonymous said...

48.34%
51.66%
Just the FACTS!!