Last night before printing our allotted amount of newspapers, I was told my crew was pre-shifted today at noon for a Road Show. A Road Show at the LA Times equals a meeting about the health of the company, and we have not had much good news the last seven years.
I suspected it was the usual anti-union meeting, and I was correct in my assumption, why was the meeting stated as a Road Show and not what it really was? I don’t blame the messenger; I blame his handlers for the deception. How can I believe anything I hear from my Tribune Boss’ now, everything will be taken with a grain of salt, and with suspicion.
Our meeting was rather timid, from some of the meetings I have attended, and the employees had questions regarding retirement, the Spring Street Project, and the lack of access for blue-collar workers to the Spring Street Project Committee. Our plant manager made it clear, with his body language that blue-collar workers will not have access to email and bulletins from management. I see this as a form of censorship and nothing less.
Our handlers don’t seem to understand something, we are employees of the newspaper, but we are also stockholders and subscribers to the newspaper, and we all want as much information as possible on our company and our future.
Thank God for people like Monica Hayes (Human Resources), we now have access through regular email for sending suggestions to the Spring Street Project Committee. The contact information has been posted near the entrance to the pressroom office, or send an email to me and I will forward the contact information back to you.
I heard some disturbing news from the Orange County Facility tonight, seems two press operators, one trainer, and a union organizer were escorted away from the anti-union meeting. And at the Olympic Facility, two employees were as well escorted from the meeting before entering the room.
This was done to embarrass the union supporters in front of their peers, but I’m embarrassed for management for not informing the workers they were not welcome at the meetings beforehand. This was done in such poor taste that my feelings for management of Operations at the Times have reached a new low.
For every action there is a reaction, my reaction will be coming soon.
Edward
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2 comments:
Ed,
Were these employees prevented from attending the meeting at the time scheduled for their crews? If so, what was the reason given?
Jesse,
David Rascon returned to the patio last night somewhat shaken. When asked what was wrong he explained how he was escorted away from the entrance to the AV room by two shift supervisors. They told him "Your excused from attending the meeting" and they walked him back to the elevator.
I was informed by an anonymous user that David was notified twenty-four hours prior to the meeting that he would not be invited to the meeting.
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