Friday, January 12, 2007
Snow in California
My daughter Kristine called this morning and asked if it had snowed in San Dimas, and I told her it was cold but we had no snow. She said there was snow on her car when she left for work in Rancho Cucamonga at 7:00 this morning. Now this is unusual, but not unheard of. The San Dimas Post Office has a photograph in the lobby with San Dimas dusted in snow ten years ago.
Information From A Union Pressman
I received this email from a union pressman:
"Well.... now you've done it. Good luck. You'll need it!
Interesting. Have these "Union Guys" mentioned that there isn't a contract left in America that has manning language? Ours continues to go down... along with our pay. We haven't had a raise in three years, and our medical is paid for by something called "wage diversion" in which our hourly goes down 12 cents an hour per year. If it wasn't for overtime, half of us would be standing outside soup kitchens. We're up for a new contract this year, and I'm certain they're going to try and f***ing nuke us. (Reel tenders, short shifts... etc, etc.). San Francisco just contracted out their production to a third party printer that will no doubt hire minimum wage scabs to be supervised by a few former Journeymen. I'm guessing that bi-lingual language skills will come in handy there. Believe me, every paper in America is looking at that model to see how it works. And just you watch... the main goal of your new union bosses will be to get you all into the ILPF (Interlocal Pension Fund).... because it's starting to fail."
Is this what our future is going to look like? I hope not! I'd like to hear from more pressmen from other union shops to get some idea as to what we can realistically expect from a contract. I've seen the information the Newsday folks were kind enough to provide(thank you Mike and Lou); is their contract the norm, or the rare exception?
"Well.... now you've done it. Good luck. You'll need it!
Interesting. Have these "Union Guys" mentioned that there isn't a contract left in America that has manning language? Ours continues to go down... along with our pay. We haven't had a raise in three years, and our medical is paid for by something called "wage diversion" in which our hourly goes down 12 cents an hour per year. If it wasn't for overtime, half of us would be standing outside soup kitchens. We're up for a new contract this year, and I'm certain they're going to try and f***ing nuke us. (Reel tenders, short shifts... etc, etc.). San Francisco just contracted out their production to a third party printer that will no doubt hire minimum wage scabs to be supervised by a few former Journeymen. I'm guessing that bi-lingual language skills will come in handy there. Believe me, every paper in America is looking at that model to see how it works. And just you watch... the main goal of your new union bosses will be to get you all into the ILPF (Interlocal Pension Fund).... because it's starting to fail."
Is this what our future is going to look like? I hope not! I'd like to hear from more pressmen from other union shops to get some idea as to what we can realistically expect from a contract. I've seen the information the Newsday folks were kind enough to provide(thank you Mike and Lou); is their contract the norm, or the rare exception?
Buyouts at the Boston Globe
Employees at the Los Angeles Times are no strangers to buyouts, we have been offered seven, or is it eight, different buyouts since 1992, and no one at the newspaper would be surprised to see another round of buyouts sometime soon. Matter of fact, if a buyout were offered today, several in the pressroom would take the money and run.
The Boston Globe and Worcester Telegram & Gazette are giving buyouts to 125 employees due too sagging advertising revenue, and circulation decreases. This is a trend we are witnessing across the country as adverters move to the Internet to attract buyers.
The Boston Globe and Worcester Telegram & Gazette are giving buyouts to 125 employees due too sagging advertising revenue, and circulation decreases. This is a trend we are witnessing across the country as adverters move to the Internet to attract buyers.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Twenty War Protests Today
David Markland at Metro blogging Los Angeles has the entire listing for the twenty protests occurring today in Southern California. If you would like to be part of the protests, or avoid the traffic, read his post for locations.
Jahmark and the Soulshakers - Toy Gun
My favorite Reggae band, Jahmark and the Soulshakers will be appearing at The Joint this Saturday at 10:30PM. The Joint is located at 8771 Pico Blvd, West Hollywood and Sunday at the Lighthouse at 4:00PM in Hermosa Beach.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Putting Things in Place
Your comments, emails, and phone calls have convinced me to take a step back and allow the local union at the Times to communicate and educate everyone involved.
The following links should supply the information everyone is seeking.
Save Our Trade Blog
Save Our Trade Web Page
Graphic Communications Conference
The following links should supply the information everyone is seeking.
Save Our Trade Blog
Save Our Trade Web Page
Graphic Communications Conference
New Communications Tool
As I mentioned yesterday we are looking at software for adding forums to answer your questions regarding the union at the newspaper. Messages on the blog are active for fourteen days, then become archived, which many have complained about.
Take a look at this automotive bulletin board and let us know if this would be helpful for everyone, before we make the purchase.
Thanks
Hat Tip to Jesse
Take a look at this automotive bulletin board and let us know if this would be helpful for everyone, before we make the purchase.
Thanks
Hat Tip to Jesse
Employee Bulletin from David Hiller
Edited post from LAObserved
Subject: Employee Bulletin
(Managers and supervisors: Please share this information with your employees who do not have e-mail. Thank you.)
Employee Bulletin
January 6, 2007
Pressroom employees at the Olympic and Orange County plants of Los Angeles Times voted in favor of representation by the Graphic Communication Conference of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (GCC/IBT) during balloting January 4th and 5th by a vote of 140 to 131.
In response, Publisher David Hiller said, "we are, of course, disappointed in the outcome of the vote. Under any and all circumstances, however, The Times and our employees will make good our commitment to publishing a great newspaper every day, as we have for 125 years."
The Times is one of the most innovative and high quality operators in the industry and the pressroom has long enjoyed wage and benefits at the top of the newspaper business.
The Union's narrow victory followed five previous unsuccessful organizing attempts over the last two decades. In 1963 The Times pressroom employees voted the Union in but voted it out the following year. In 1967 the Union was once again voted in but was voted out in 1970 immediately following expiration of the Union's labor contract with The Times.
Source: LAObserved
Subject: Employee Bulletin
(Managers and supervisors: Please share this information with your employees who do not have e-mail. Thank you.)
Employee Bulletin
January 6, 2007
Pressroom employees at the Olympic and Orange County plants of Los Angeles Times voted in favor of representation by the Graphic Communication Conference of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (GCC/IBT) during balloting January 4th and 5th by a vote of 140 to 131.
In response, Publisher David Hiller said, "we are, of course, disappointed in the outcome of the vote. Under any and all circumstances, however, The Times and our employees will make good our commitment to publishing a great newspaper every day, as we have for 125 years."
The Times is one of the most innovative and high quality operators in the industry and the pressroom has long enjoyed wage and benefits at the top of the newspaper business.
The Union's narrow victory followed five previous unsuccessful organizing attempts over the last two decades. In 1963 The Times pressroom employees voted the Union in but voted it out the following year. In 1967 the Union was once again voted in but was voted out in 1970 immediately following expiration of the Union's labor contract with The Times.
Source: LAObserved
David Hiller on a Greater Web Presence
With all the ado this past weekend over the union election at the Los Angeles Times I fell behind with my regular blogs that I read daily, for news about the newspaper and messages from the publisher. Mr. Hiller comments about a Tim Rutten's column in the Saturday edition of the Times regarding the Wall Street Journal's mixing of old media with new. The memo from Mr. Hiller was sent to all employees, with the exception of the majority of Pressroom employees.
To: All Times Employees Folks,
By now, I hope you have all taken the time to read Tim Rutten's column in Saturday's edition, and also hope you have been able to spend some time with the re-designed Wall Street Journal that was the subject of Tim's column, "Updated Journal Writes its Future."
Tim's piece does a good job of framing the the fundamental changes all news organizations like ours need to make as they "move forward toward a future in which they simultaneously connect with the readers online and in print.
"He says, and I agree, that we need to have a "simultaneous and complementary stance in both venues." This means most critically, being focused on how, where and when people want and get their news and information.
Recognizing each medium has unique strengths, we have to use each differently to best meet those reader/user needs. For us, this means breaking news, freshened all the time, coupled with data-driven personal utility on the web; while we engage a different focus of unique story-telling, analysis, and context in our print editions - with both relentlessly focused on what people can't get anywhere else. It is very clear to me this is the way we need to go, and is the way pointed forward by all of our research and the work coming out our Spring Street project, about which you will be hearing more. Fundamental change like this will take the resources and focus of our entire company.
And I agree with Tim that these changes "suggest how strong a role there is to be played by newspapers willing to accept the challenge of re-calibrating" what they do. In this, we will be a leader. Our success depends on it.
David
Source: LA Biz Observed
To: All Times Employees Folks,
By now, I hope you have all taken the time to read Tim Rutten's column in Saturday's edition, and also hope you have been able to spend some time with the re-designed Wall Street Journal that was the subject of Tim's column, "Updated Journal Writes its Future."
Tim's piece does a good job of framing the the fundamental changes all news organizations like ours need to make as they "move forward toward a future in which they simultaneously connect with the readers online and in print.
"He says, and I agree, that we need to have a "simultaneous and complementary stance in both venues." This means most critically, being focused on how, where and when people want and get their news and information.
Recognizing each medium has unique strengths, we have to use each differently to best meet those reader/user needs. For us, this means breaking news, freshened all the time, coupled with data-driven personal utility on the web; while we engage a different focus of unique story-telling, analysis, and context in our print editions - with both relentlessly focused on what people can't get anywhere else. It is very clear to me this is the way we need to go, and is the way pointed forward by all of our research and the work coming out our Spring Street project, about which you will be hearing more. Fundamental change like this will take the resources and focus of our entire company.
And I agree with Tim that these changes "suggest how strong a role there is to be played by newspapers willing to accept the challenge of re-calibrating" what they do. In this, we will be a leader. Our success depends on it.
David
Source: LA Biz Observed
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Quote of the Day, or The Thing's Teens Say:
"We've got this big ass house, but no money."
-my son
Yeah, don't I know it. But lucky to have the house (and it's not that big) and be paying our bills.
Media News
Billionaires and Broadsheets
It was just a market anomaly—the kind which opportunity is made from—that newspapers were suddenly worth much less to mere mortal shareholders than they were to a new, assertive, patriarchal class of multi-billionaires.
More Layoffs -- This Time in Ad Department -- Hit Philly Papers
Less than a week after about 70 newsroom employees were laid off at the Philadelphia Inquirer, at least 34 advertising positions - including 16 part-timers - are being cut today at Philadelphia Newspapers, which handles business operations for the Inquirer and Daily News.
Tribune deal speculation pointing to management
As the auction for Tribune Co. winds down to its Jan. 17 bid deadline, a key question emerging from the situation is what role, if any, Tribune Co. management will play in a possible deal for the company.The question gained new currency on Thursday, when two foundations with close ties to the company announced they had hired New York's Blackstone Group to advise them as they consider alternatives for their combined 13.1 percent stake in Tribune stock.
Who will the journalistic competition poach while the Tribune Co. fiddles?
Journalists jump from paper to paper all the time, so who knows why they left. But it's undeniable that the Tribune Co.'s endless demands for staff cuts—which ultimately forced Editor John Carroll and his successor, Dean Baquet, to exit—have created a dangerous atmosphere of uncertainty in the newsroom.
Blogger-media distrust comes to a head in Iraq
A running six-week battle between bloggers and the Associated Press over the wire service's report of sectarian violence in Iraq has ended — for now. The feud, which got plenty of traffic on the Web but very little coverage in mainstream news outlets, came to an abrupt halt Thursday.
ABC Radio silences Web site of KSFO critic
The blogosphere is buzzing about the news that ABC Radio, owner of conservative KSFO-AM 560, has succeeded in shutting down the Web site of a liberal blogger who was critical of the station.
ABC/Disney unable to suppress bloggers
But, as MediaPost Online Media Daily observed, the blogosphere united over the weekend and made sure that Spocko's audio files were available on a number of other sites. "[L]ess than 48 hours after Spocko's case was brought to light on the progressive news blog The Daily Kos, several new Web hosts, including YouTube, Blogintegrity and Firedoglake, stepped up to provide access to audio files from KSFO.
It was just a market anomaly—the kind which opportunity is made from—that newspapers were suddenly worth much less to mere mortal shareholders than they were to a new, assertive, patriarchal class of multi-billionaires.
More Layoffs -- This Time in Ad Department -- Hit Philly Papers
Less than a week after about 70 newsroom employees were laid off at the Philadelphia Inquirer, at least 34 advertising positions - including 16 part-timers - are being cut today at Philadelphia Newspapers, which handles business operations for the Inquirer and Daily News.
Tribune deal speculation pointing to management
As the auction for Tribune Co. winds down to its Jan. 17 bid deadline, a key question emerging from the situation is what role, if any, Tribune Co. management will play in a possible deal for the company.The question gained new currency on Thursday, when two foundations with close ties to the company announced they had hired New York's Blackstone Group to advise them as they consider alternatives for their combined 13.1 percent stake in Tribune stock.
Who will the journalistic competition poach while the Tribune Co. fiddles?
Journalists jump from paper to paper all the time, so who knows why they left. But it's undeniable that the Tribune Co.'s endless demands for staff cuts—which ultimately forced Editor John Carroll and his successor, Dean Baquet, to exit—have created a dangerous atmosphere of uncertainty in the newsroom.
Blogger-media distrust comes to a head in Iraq
A running six-week battle between bloggers and the Associated Press over the wire service's report of sectarian violence in Iraq has ended — for now. The feud, which got plenty of traffic on the Web but very little coverage in mainstream news outlets, came to an abrupt halt Thursday.
ABC Radio silences Web site of KSFO critic
The blogosphere is buzzing about the news that ABC Radio, owner of conservative KSFO-AM 560, has succeeded in shutting down the Web site of a liberal blogger who was critical of the station.
ABC/Disney unable to suppress bloggers
But, as MediaPost Online Media Daily observed, the blogosphere united over the weekend and made sure that Spocko's audio files were available on a number of other sites. "[L]ess than 48 hours after Spocko's case was brought to light on the progressive news blog The Daily Kos, several new Web hosts, including YouTube, Blogintegrity and Firedoglake, stepped up to provide access to audio files from KSFO.
Survey Coming Soon
Everyone from both pressrooms are curious at what happens next since the employees voted in favor of union representation won the election last Saturday.
The next step is to fill in your survey, which will be mailed to your home, and return to the negotiator listed on the survey. David Rascon gave me a sample survey, but I am unable at this time to duplicate for posting on the blog.
The survey will cover topics such as wages, working conditions, health care benefits, and anything else that is important to employees and their families.
If you have a pressing issue or question, please feel free to drop an email my way, and I will do my best to get an answer for you as soon as possible.
The next step is to fill in your survey, which will be mailed to your home, and return to the negotiator listed on the survey. David Rascon gave me a sample survey, but I am unable at this time to duplicate for posting on the blog.
The survey will cover topics such as wages, working conditions, health care benefits, and anything else that is important to employees and their families.
If you have a pressing issue or question, please feel free to drop an email my way, and I will do my best to get an answer for you as soon as possible.
Message from Mike LaSpina
Congratulation !
To the brothers and sisters that voted yes thank you, to the bothers and sisters that voted no I respect your rights. I ask that you give it a chance, the system works for both sides.(company and union) I'm a little upset with Mr Hiller and his comments after the vote, I can understand that he is disappointed, but to review the OPTIONS with his attorneys? Howard Weinstein is going to be hard-pressed to find anything illegal the Gcc/Ibt did in this election. Maybe just maybe that is why we won,everything has to go your way! Well for now on the people will have a fair say. Mr. Hiller why don't you give a call over to your friend Tim Knight (the publisher at Newsday). Ask him how he deals with the unions at Newsday. At any publisher meeting I have gone too Mr. Knight has always said that he was proud of ALL the employee's (union or non-union). We all have a job to do hopefully we can do it together like always. A fair contract is a guideline that BOTHSIDES have to live with
Mike LaSpina
Local 406
To the brothers and sisters that voted yes thank you, to the bothers and sisters that voted no I respect your rights. I ask that you give it a chance, the system works for both sides.(company and union) I'm a little upset with Mr Hiller and his comments after the vote, I can understand that he is disappointed, but to review the OPTIONS with his attorneys? Howard Weinstein is going to be hard-pressed to find anything illegal the Gcc/Ibt did in this election. Maybe just maybe that is why we won,everything has to go your way! Well for now on the people will have a fair say. Mr. Hiller why don't you give a call over to your friend Tim Knight (the publisher at Newsday). Ask him how he deals with the unions at Newsday. At any publisher meeting I have gone too Mr. Knight has always said that he was proud of ALL the employee's (union or non-union). We all have a job to do hopefully we can do it together like always. A fair contract is a guideline that BOTHSIDES have to live with
Mike LaSpina
Local 406
Changes Coming Here
In the next few days or weeks a message board will be added to this blog, this will allow topic’s to be discussed, without disappearing as the posts on this blog do after fourteen days.
After finding a program that is user friendly for the novice computer user, server space will have to be located, so changes are in the works here.
Jesse has taken care of the comment section very well, and there are plenty of comments, most you see and some you do not see.
For comments directed at Times management, just send an email with your comments to first.lastname@latimes.com and let them know how you feel. It’s important in your email not to sign your name, to remain anonymous.
Example: Enter the recipients first name, followed by a period, then the last name, followed by the @ sign with latimes dot com.
Blogger is running very poorly this morning, so I will post additional information later tonight.
After finding a program that is user friendly for the novice computer user, server space will have to be located, so changes are in the works here.
Jesse has taken care of the comment section very well, and there are plenty of comments, most you see and some you do not see.
For comments directed at Times management, just send an email with your comments to first.lastname@latimes.com and let them know how you feel. It’s important in your email not to sign your name, to remain anonymous.
Example: Enter the recipients first name, followed by a period, then the last name, followed by the @ sign with latimes dot com.
Blogger is running very poorly this morning, so I will post additional information later tonight.
Questions, Questions and more Questions?
Since this was the first union election won in almost forty years, what happens next is the most asked question the past few days in the pressroom. After speaking with Ronnie yesterday, and asking him where workers can get some answers, Ronnie asked that I direct online users to his blog, Save Our Trade, and to the links. Note, the blog is currently down so the link could not be added at this moment.
Another user sent in the following link, Union Facts, which may answer some of the questions the men and women of the pressrooms are seeking.
How will information filter down to the men and women that do not use the Internet or do not own a computer at home?
Currently there are more questions than answers, and hopefully this will change over the next few days and weeks ahead.
Another user sent in the following link, Union Facts, which may answer some of the questions the men and women of the pressrooms are seeking.
How will information filter down to the men and women that do not use the Internet or do not own a computer at home?
Currently there are more questions than answers, and hopefully this will change over the next few days and weeks ahead.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Meet Jacob Soboroff
Here’s Jacob Soboroff and myself outside the NLRB offices last Saturday, Jacob is a video blogger, and joined us for the counting of ballots. Jacob will be visiting the Olympic pressroom sometime soon for some live footage of the printing presses rolling out thousand of copies per hour. Should prove to be another interesting video, thanks for joining us Jacob.
Jacob joins us from Native Intelligence, a branch of LAObserved.
Jacob joins us from Native Intelligence, a branch of LAObserved.
Photo by Jesse Espinoza
Message From Lou Nicosia
Hi Ed,
I wanted to write you personally, instead of just trying to post on your site. I wanted you to see my comments first and hopefully feel they can help.
My name is Lou Nicosia and as you know I was recently they’re to talk to people about unions.
I have been a pressman at Newsday for 30 years this September.
I am not a professional organizer and this was my first time going somewhere to talk to people.
President Tedeschi was my president for over 20 years and asked me to come because he felt it would be a good idea to talk to the pressroom people as an equal, and answer any questions that people had.
I realize there is a certain amount of apprehension and fear of the unknown.
First I would like to address this issue about "outsiders". The people who would be representing you will be other press personnel just like yourselves who will be elected by all of you. Choose wisely and remember that integrity and honesty should be major factors on which you elect. Who knows your shops better then the people who work there?
Second the union is not about disrupting the work place or being adversarial. It’s about having a say in the work place. It’s about fairness and treating people with respect. The union wants the company to be successful, our livelihoods depend on it. Honestly in 40 years of contracts at Newsday there was never a strike or work stoppage.
Third and lastly if the company thought it was a better or cheaper idea to outsource our pressrooms they would do it anyway union or not. They don't keep our jobs and pressrooms where they are because they like us. We are the best people they can find to do what we do with our products.
I am asking people to keep and open mind and work together. Whoever works in a pressroom knows we live and breathe there.
Of course comments are welcome.
Thanks,
Lou
I wanted to write you personally, instead of just trying to post on your site. I wanted you to see my comments first and hopefully feel they can help.
My name is Lou Nicosia and as you know I was recently they’re to talk to people about unions.
I have been a pressman at Newsday for 30 years this September.
I am not a professional organizer and this was my first time going somewhere to talk to people.
President Tedeschi was my president for over 20 years and asked me to come because he felt it would be a good idea to talk to the pressroom people as an equal, and answer any questions that people had.
I realize there is a certain amount of apprehension and fear of the unknown.
First I would like to address this issue about "outsiders". The people who would be representing you will be other press personnel just like yourselves who will be elected by all of you. Choose wisely and remember that integrity and honesty should be major factors on which you elect. Who knows your shops better then the people who work there?
Second the union is not about disrupting the work place or being adversarial. It’s about having a say in the work place. It’s about fairness and treating people with respect. The union wants the company to be successful, our livelihoods depend on it. Honestly in 40 years of contracts at Newsday there was never a strike or work stoppage.
Third and lastly if the company thought it was a better or cheaper idea to outsource our pressrooms they would do it anyway union or not. They don't keep our jobs and pressrooms where they are because they like us. We are the best people they can find to do what we do with our products.
I am asking people to keep and open mind and work together. Whoever works in a pressroom knows we live and breathe there.
Of course comments are welcome.
Thanks,
Lou
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