Times employees and former employees received
a survey from the Pfaffinger Foundation.
Many employees were alarmed, assuming the Tribune Company had seized the sizeable charity, but this is not the case, yet.
I contacted the CEO of the foundation, Stephen C. Meier, for additional information and he replied:
Recently
Pfaffinger has been writing individuals who retired or terminated at
the former Times Mirror newspapers in recent years. We ask them to
contact us to see if they are eligible for assistance. Experience has
shown that some folks forget about Pfaffinger once they leave.
We would suggest that anyone who gets our questionnaire should fill it out and return it in the postage-paid envelope.
Best wishes,
I wrote back to Mr. Meier regarding terminated employees seeking assistance, with no response at this writing, as I was denied aid because I was a black listed terminated Los Angeles Times employee. Has the Pfaffinger Foundation realized many terminated employees were let go to ease the financial burden facing the newspaper, and not the workers the Tribune Company has portrayed many to be?
As soon as I hear something from Mr. Meier regarding the status of terminated employees I will share with you.
There is difference between a layoff termination and being fired.
ReplyDeleteWonder what it's worth now?
ReplyDeleteThe Pfaffinger Foundation is a charity founded by a person separate from the Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror, the Chandler family and/or the Tribune Company. It cannot be claimed as an asset of another entity since it is fully autonomous and supported and governed by itself. It can, however, have its assets and charitable outputs misdirected by those on the board who may be influenced by the entities listed above.
ReplyDeleteWhen it was founded, it was for the exclusive benefit of Times Mirror Company employees (TMC) and no one else. Spending (foundation giving) on anything other than TMC employees demonstrates how its giving has been mis-guided by board members who are influenced by the entities stated above.
It is also my understanding that the support it provides to TMC employees originally was to be long term and not just short term help. The desire to provide only short term help for financially challenged TMC employees is most likely driven by the desire to have available funds to support causes that help the entities above who load the board with officers who will do as they are told and support non-employee giving.
The way the foundation is being run today seems far from the desire that Mr. Pfaffinger had when he set it up, during a time of the Great Depression when he saw thousands suffering. What he wanted to do was to help during a time similar to the past 20 years. When so many TMC employees have suffered as the print paper's relevancy is dying, bundled with the effects of the Great Recession.
The real truth seems to be that the Pfaffinger Foundation proceeds have been hijacked for over 50 years at the loss of those he really wanted to help -- TMC employees.
I have a close friend who applied for assistance from the foundation. He applied only after having utilized all of his savings and nearly loosing his house. I read the email sent to him by the foundation-- it was demeaning.
ReplyDeleteHad the person applied for assistance prior to having utilized all of his resources they would according to them, have helped but now treat him like a lazy begger
I understand that the Pfaffinger Foundation has helped many people. But, it is not clear whether those are mainly employees or non-employees. They WILL NOT share anything because they know that much of what they have used the Pfaffinger Foundation funds for are possibly to reduce costs for the LATimes. Everyone on the board are ex-times executives who are probably gaining something for their ongoing commitment to the Paper by shifting company donations to the Pfaffinger Foundation.
ReplyDeleteI you really want to help take bake the foundation for the employees it is very simple. Send a letter to the Attorney General, Kamala Harris, who I know is backed by the LATimes, but keep up the pressure.
What Norman Chandler did back in the late 50's early 60's to use money for the Music Center and the Chandler Cafeteria at Cal Tech is without doubt and horrible and unethical use of the foundations money.
The actual 1936 document that states it is to be used for employees is available in the Attorney General's archive:
http://rct.doj.ca.gov/Verification/Web/Search.aspx?facility=Y
Search Pfaffinger Foundation
Then click on "foun3t"
If you want to read more about the high-jacking of the Pfaffinger Foundation follow this link:
ReplyDeletewww.pfoundation.info