Los Angeles Times Pressmens 20 Year Club

Friday, November 07, 2008

Message from Russ Stanton Editor LAT

Colleagues:

As you have seen, the company is making some changes to the operations of our Washington office, beginning with the naming of Cissy Baker to the new position of vice president of the Washington News Bureau of the Tribune Co.

More details will be unveiled in the coming days, but one thing that will not change is the mission of the bureau: to continue to break news and deliver unique and high quality enterprise, investigative and analytical stories to our readers -- in print, online and over the airwaves.

Most of the staffing for the new operation will come from the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune and we will continue to give our readers the top-notch journalism that they have come to expect from us.

Russ Stanton

SOURCE: LAObserved

Outsourcing of Computer Help Desk Not Working at Tribune

From: Tribune Communications
Subject: Message from Steve Gable/Tribune's New Help Desk

Almost two years ago, Tribune outsourced its help desk function to IBM, with much of the support provided overseas. During the course of re-structuring Tribune's technology organizations, we repeatedly heard that the current help desk arrangement was not fulfilling business expectations and requirements. Today, I'm pleased to announce that we're bringing it back in-house. By doing this we can more effectively train the help desk staff on Tribune-specific issues to better meet your technical needs.

Our new in-house help desk, a.k.a. "TribTech," offers employees comprehensive (yet simple to use) technical support online and over the phone. To ensure a smooth transition, TribTech will share support duties with IBM through the end of the year. Each business unit will roll on to the new help desk starting with the Orlando Sentinel on Monday, Nov. 10, and all other business units by Jan. 1, 2009.

We've added a new element to our help desk - an online self-service site. You can visit support.tribune.com to resolve your issue on your own. The site also includes links to:

· Reset your own password.
· Chat online with a Tribune technical expert.
· Search the knowledgebase to find answers to most technology-related questions, from logging on to your computer to dealing with your Blackberry (we're working on populating the site with Tribune-specific information - please be patient as this is a work-in-progress).
· Create an online ticket if you can't find the answer on your own.

Resolving a technology issue with TribTech is becoming a little easier. First, visit the website to resolve the problem. If you can't find the answer, log in to submit an online ticket. Finally, you can continue to call the local help desk number you've always called and get a live rep to assist you.

SOURCE: Kevin Roderick

Save Our Trade: SHOW ME THE MONEY!

By Ronnie Pineda

Today's negotiations were mentally exhausting and frustrating to say the least. We received the company's response to our 10/30/08 economic proposal and were astonished to hear them reject practically every word when most everything we proposed wasn't a far leap from where we are currently in regards to wages, benefits and retirement. The company, as expected countered and we received the company's first economic proposal. My initial reaction was that they might as well had printed it on toilet paper because that is what it appropriately should be used for.

{{{continue reading}}}

Save Our Trade: SHOW ME THE MONEY!

232,000 Additional Los Angeles Times Nov. 5th Edition

Line at the Los Angeles Times to buy a newspaper: Photo credit Ricardo DeAratanha

The election of Barack Obama as president of the United States has been a boon for newspapers across the country as citizens attempt to preserve this historic event for posterity. As you can see through this photograph the line into the Los Angeles Times is almost never ending as readers are unable to locate a single copy of their favorite newspaper anywhere else but from the newspaper.

At last count an additional 232,000 newspapers of the Los Angeles Times November 5th edition have been made available for the public. Beginning yesterday consumers could also buy the front page printing plate of this history-making edition for ten dollars, 2,400 plates have been created as of noon yesterday.

A friend at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer tells me they are also selling extra newspapers with printing plates for $10.00, and if you buy two plates and two newspapers you get a third plate and newspaper for free.

The Los Angeles Times will be selling newspapers and printing plates from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and Saturday. The Times lobby is located at 145 S. Spring Street at the corner of 2nd Street and Spring Street.

For back issues, customers should call Customer Service at (800) 252-9141. The call center will take both local and national calls.

Subscribe to the Los Angeles Times by clicking here.

Thursday, November 06, 2008

Obama's victory sells out newsstands

Newspaper stands from New York City to Spokane sold out of Wednesday's papers declaring Barack Obama's history making victory as President Elect. KXLY4's Sally Showman has the fine print.

Thursday Night News

Los Angeles Times Pressmen Gerald Levinworth and David Rascon

Photo credit Charlie Packard

Who says print is dead? - Los Angeles Times
Newspapers that use Twitter - Graphic Designr
The Los Angeles Times Digs Digg - Franklin Ave.
How to get inauguration tickets - Los Angeles Times
So I Guess Print Isn't Dead -- Yet - Editor & Publisher
Metblogs friends busted at Prop 8 protest - Sean Bonner
Eureka Reporter to close doors Saturday - Times Standard
Folger Library hosting an exhibit on early newspapers - Paul Gillin
Post-Election Layoff Today of 45 people at the VC Star - TJ Sullivan
Historical Moment Temporarily Lifts Newspaper Demand - Meta Printer

My cousins answer to Prop 8.

Is the issue of prop 8 the not being able to carry the "title" Marriage in your life? Or, is it the "benefits" that people don't get because they are not Married?? Someone please answer that one for me, so I can understand why this is such a heated debate? Civil Union to me is = to Traditional marriage for same sex couples. I respect your lifestyle as I currently have 3 gay cousins, and 2 uncles, all whom are openly gay, and if you are of certain cultures, you can assure yourself to be the laughing stock of all family gatherings. I however have viewed them as any of my family members, but the only difference is that they like same sex people. They know my position and my values, and they respect that. I in return respect them and the lifestyle that they have come to accept as they also have the same rights as I do. In a call to one of my cousins this evening, he asked me why his counterparts out here don't stop fighting the church and fight the Federal Government so they would Honor and extend the same benefits to Same Sex couples in States that extend that right? Why not fight that cause? That way you can have the EXACT same benefits without having to wait for Obama to appoint your Judges withing the next few years. Oh wait, Obama opposes same sex Marriage...shoot...you better not wait for his Judges. You better get legislation to Change the Federal Law to honor the state benefits.

A Day That Made History

By William Conover

Yes, today America’s Presidential Election made history and no matter whom you are, you felt impacted by the results. So you went out to buy a newspaper, if you were there early enough you were able to get a copy, if you were delayed it was not like any other day as copies of newspapers were disappearing in record numbers.

I work in the Los Angeles Times Pressroom and friends and family contacted me in regards to locating a newspaper the morning after the election, but I personally did not take an extra copy home with me. But upon my arrival home my Los Angeles Times was waiting for me on my driveway, waiting to be opened, as it is everyday because I subscribe to the Times.

This will not be the last time that history will be made in our country, weather it be political, sports related or events related to the rich and famous. To pick up and hold a newspaper in my hands is the manner in which I prefer to read my news. And occasionally I even cut out certain articles for whatever reason, is sometimes necessary.

I suggest insuring not missing any further historic events that you subscribe to the Los Angeles Times by calling 1.800.LA.TIMES, which offers many different delivery options for your families needs.

Bill

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Election newspapers sell out quickly

Newspapers across the Carolinas were snatched up quickly the day after the election because people wanted a piece of history.

Wednesday Night Links

Pressman Bill Conover with Platemaker Gary Wong

It's A Great Day To Be A Newspaper - Gawker
U.S. News ends print editions - Fading to Black
Barack Obama: Victory Speech - Electronic Village
Wasilla Hillbillies gone WILD! - Sagacious Rambling
Eureka Reporter to cease operations - Times Standard
LAT Reverses Decision, Runs Doonesbury - Mayrav Saar
Californians Like Chickens More Than Gay People - LAist
Companies blog about their layoffs - Internation Herald Tribune
Obama Wins! Newspapers Sold Out / Stolen by 8am - Meta Printer
How Southern California's Papers Covered Last Night - Franklin Ave.

Tribune Sees Huge Demand for Post-Election Newspapers

Single Copies Selling Out, Markets Printing Additional Copies

Newspaper Website Traffic Reaching Record Levels

CHICAGO, IL, November 5, 2008 -- On the day following Barack Obama’s election as the next president of the United States, Tribune Company announced it was experiencing historic demand for its newspapers in each of the eight markets it serves across the country.

"This is a clear demonstration that people continue turning to their local newspaper to help them understand and interpret the news of the day, and that is especially true when big events happen," said Randy Michaels, Tribune’s chief operating officer. "This kind of demand for our newspapers is unlike anything we’ve experienced in recent history. The traffic at our newspaper web sites is also way up -- yesterday, the Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times sites experienced a record-breaking number of page views."

In anticipation of the increased demand, Tribune newspapers increased press runs in some markets by as much as 10 to 100 percent. Many of the company’s newspapers will continue printing additional copies throughout today. Some highlights:

The Los Angeles Times expects to sell 100,000 more copies than it does on a typical Wednesday.

Obama’s hometown newspaper, the Chicago Tribune, increased its press run last evening by several thousand copies and will print and distribute an additional 200,000 copies today.

The Baltimore Sun increased last night’s press run 100 percent, is printing more copies today, and will make still more copies of today’s newspaper available for sale tomorrow in most locations across the city.

Both of the company’s newspapers in the battleground state of Florida, the Sentinel in Orlando and the Sun Sentinel in South Florida, experienced unprecedented demand -- each printed an additional 12,000 copies for their respective markets.

The Courant, in Hartford, Conn., printed an additional 15,000 copies, the Daily Press, in Newport News, Va., printed an additional 12,000, and the Allentown Morning Call an additional 3,500.

And Just In Case You Have Issues...

Mrs. Obama is bringing a new style to the "First Lady" group. Like it or not, she's setting her own precedent (pardon my spelling). Everyone doesn't do 'St. John' (like my Sister). Let's be frank, we can't afford it! HELLO!!!!!!

But Michelle figures she don't NEED it. SHE'S the FIRST LADY and can dress how she feels. It will be interesting to witness and compare her style with that of 'First Ladies' past.

Fashion history is SURELY in the making!

Click on title for more on Michelle's dress;-)

Circulation Increases by 142,000 Copies at the Los Angeles Times

In anticipation of brisk single copy sales the circulation of the Los Angeles Times was increased by 100,000 copies this morning, yet the demand far exceeded available copies as everyone ran out of the much desired Los Angeles Times this morning. At 10:00 am today we produced an additional 42,000 copies of the newspaper, and held a press on standby if anyone needed to resupply their stands.

My colleague Bill Conover stated, “We should have an election every week”. Not a bad idea as everyone is reading the Los Angeles Times today!

DONE DEAL...

Christene - My SUNSHINE

The people have spoken. It's a DONE DEAL. Let's move on in re-establishing our nation's reputation as the most POWERFUL in the world.

At this point, I'm ecstatic. Not just because of the history that has been made, but moreso because my SUNSHINE was here to witness and celebrate an event that none of us thought would ever happen. We are blessed, INDEED!

Let us settle our differences, put the past behind us, and move positively into the future for the sake of those who follow us.

GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!