October 10Six days into a cotton field strike by 18,000 Mexican and Mexican-American workers in Pixley, Calif., four strikers are killed and six wounded; eight growers were indicted and charged with murder - 1933
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Today in Labor History
October 10Six days into a cotton field strike by 18,000 Mexican and Mexican-American workers in Pixley, Calif., four strikers are killed and six wounded; eight growers were indicted and charged with murder - 1933
Saturday Morning in the Blogosphere
Number one Dodger fans, Liz and Cesar Calderon
As journalists, we speak for you - The Tracy Press
Don't get too close to newspapers' orbit - Sun Herald
Still a time and place for newspapers - Pryor Daily Times
Interest in Tribune Tower likely to be high - Chicago Tribune
Digital Ad Spending Overtakes Newspapers in Germany - eMarketer
Readers rely on newspapers more than they think - Reno Gazette Journal
How to Save Newspapers -- and Make Them Profitable Again - Huffington Post
What if Philadelphia newspapers wanted to convert to nonprofits? - Nieman Lab
Why ‘Spotlight’ Is the Film That Will Make Journalism Look Good Again - Jim Rainey
Friday, October 09, 2015
Today in Labor History
October 09 -- Union Communications Services, Inc.
United Hebrew Trades is organized in New York by shirt maker Morris Hillquit and others. Hillquit would later become leader of the Socialist Party - 1888
Retail stock brokerage Smith Barney reaches a tentative sexual harassment settlement with a group of female employees. The suit charged, among other things, that branch managers asked female workers to remove their tops in exchange for money and one office featured a "boom boom room" where women workers were encouraged to "entertain clients." The settlement was never finalized: a U.S. District Court judge refused to approve the deal because it failed to adequately redress the plaintiff's grievances - 1997
An estimated 3,300 sanitation workers working for private haulers in Chicago win a 9-day strike featuring a 28-percent wage increase over five years - 2003
United Hebrew Trades is organized in New York by shirt maker Morris Hillquit and others. Hillquit would later become leader of the Socialist Party - 1888
Retail stock brokerage Smith Barney reaches a tentative sexual harassment settlement with a group of female employees. The suit charged, among other things, that branch managers asked female workers to remove their tops in exchange for money and one office featured a "boom boom room" where women workers were encouraged to "entertain clients." The settlement was never finalized: a U.S. District Court judge refused to approve the deal because it failed to adequately redress the plaintiff's grievances - 1997
An estimated 3,300 sanitation workers working for private haulers in Chicago win a 9-day strike featuring a 28-percent wage increase over five years - 2003
Friday Morning in the Blogosphere
Skid Row Los Angeles at 6th and San Julian Streets
EU Court Decides US Unsafe for Data - Editors Weblog
Behind the scenes of the L.A. Times buyout drive - Politico
Tribune plans to 'redevelop' LA Times buildings - LAObserved
Former LA Times site to be developed in Costa Mesa - Daily Pilot
Journal Media Group to merge with the Gannett Co. - Ventura Star
Struggling Chicago Sun-Times just needs a rich benefactor - The Awl
Anniversary of the 1984 launch of the daily LAT Valley Edition - Saul Daniels
O.C. investment fund buys 5% stake in Tribune Publishing - Los Angeles Times
How 3 New Jersey newsrooms are turning to their readers for story ideas - Poynter
Thursday, October 08, 2015
Today in Labor History
October 08Thirty of the city's 185 firefighters are injured battling the Great Chicago Fire, which burned for three days - 1871
In Poland, the union Solidarity and all other labor organizations are banned by the government - 1982
Upholsterers' Int’l Union of North America merges with United Steelworkers of America - 1985
October 07
Joe Hill, labor leader and songwriter, born in Gavle, Sweden - 1879
The Structural Building Trades Alliance (SBTA) is founded, becomes the AFL’s Building Trades Dept. five years later. SBTA’s mission: to provide a forum to work out jurisdictional conflicts - 1903
(Skilled Hands, Strong Spirits follows the history of the Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO from the emergence of building trades councils in the age of the skyscraper. It takes the reader through treacherous fights over jurisdiction as new building materials and methods of work evolved; and describes numerous Department campaigns to improve safety standards, work with contractors to promote unionized construction, and forge a sense of industrial unity among its autonomous and highly diverse affiliates.)
Hollywood’s "Battle of the Mirrors." Picketing members of the Conference of Studio Unions disrupted an outdoor shoot by holding up large reflectors that filled camera lenses with blinding sunlight. Members of the competing IATSE union retaliated by using the reflectors to shoot sunlight back across the street. The battle went on all day, writes Tom Sito in Drawing the Line - 1946
October 06
First National Conference of Trade Union Women – 1918
First National Conference of Trade Union Women – 1918
The first “talkie” movie, The Jazz Singer, premiers in New York City. Within three years, according to the American Federation of Musicians, theater jobs for some 22,000 musicians who accompanied silent movies were lost, while only a few hundred jobs for musicians performing on soundtracks were created by the new technology - 1927Some 1,700 female flight attendants win 18-year, $37 million suit against United Airlines. They had been fired for getting married - 1986
Thirty-two thousand machinists begin what is to be a successful 69-day strike against the Boeing Co. The eventual settlement brought improvements that averaged an estimated $19,200 in wages and benefits over four years and safeguards against job cutbacks - 1995
Tuesday, October 06, 2015
Monday, October 05, 2015
Today in Labor History
October 05A strike by set decorators turns into a bloody riot at the gates of Warner Brothers Studios in Burbank, Calif., when scabs try to cross the picket line. The incident is still identified as "Hollywood Black Friday" and "The Battle of Burbank" - 1945
The UAW ends a 3-week strike against Ford Motor Co. when the company agrees to a contract that includes more vacation days and better retirement and unemployment benefits - 1976
Polish Solidarity union founder Lech Walesa wins the Nobel Peace Prize - 1983
Some 2,100 supermarket janitors in California, mostly from Mexico, win a $22.4 million settlement over unpaid overtime. Many said they worked 70 or more hours a week, often seven nights a week from 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. Cleaner Jesus Lopez told the New York Times he only had three days off in five years - 2004
(Mobilizing Against Inequality: Unions, Immigrant Workers, and the Crisis of Capitalism: Are immigrant workers themselves responsible for low wages and shoddy working conditions? Should unions expend valuable time and energy organizing undocumented workers? Unions in Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States have taken various approaches to confront the challenges of this significant segment of the workforce. As U.S. immigration policy is debated, readers will gain insight into how all workers benefit when wages and working conditions for immigrant workers are improved.)
Tribune Publishing HR on the latest buyout
Dear Colleagues,
As Jack noted, today we are announcing the Tribune Publishing Company Employee Voluntary Separation Program 2015 (“EVSP” or “the Plan”). This program, which is an important step to position us effectively for the future and to respond to the challenging revenue environment within our industry, is voluntary. All non-union employees who have more than one year of service with the Company are eligible to participate in the EVSP.
The Plan offers several components, including:
Severance
Benefits Continuation for certain Health & Welfare Benefits
Outplacement Services
Eligibility for a Prorated Management Incentive Bonus (MIP), if applicable
Equity Vesting, if applicable
Retiree Medical, if applicable
During the Severance or Continuation Period, employees will continue to be eligible to participate in the following company health & welfare benefit plans:
Medical
Dental
Vision
Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
Health Savings Account
In addition, we are making the difficult decision to close the retiree medical program to all active employees as of December 31, 2015. In general and based on the individual Business Unit, employees currently eligible for the Company’s retiree medical program are defined in the Tribune Publishing Company Benefit Program (“Retiree Medical Program”) as an employee who has 10 or more years of service, was hired before April 1, 2003 and is at least 55 years of age as of the employees Last Day of Work. Based on the Company’s decision to close the plan for active members as of December 31, 2015, we have outlined the impact to employees below:
Non-EVSP Employee Impact: The Company’s retiree medical program will be closed to all active employees as of December 31, 2015; therefore the benefits under this plan will terminate for all active employees who remain employed by the Company after such date.
EVSP Employee Impact: Any employee who meets the eligibility requirements of the retiree medical program and will transition out of the Company as part of the EVSP will continue to remain in the program and receive benefits past the employee’s termination date, the plan closure date of December 31, 2015 or as long as the plan continues. The Company cannot guarantee that the Retiree Medical Program will be available to retirees at any time in the future and the Company reserves the right to modify, amend or terminate the Retiree Medical Program at any time.
Please find attached a more detailed summary of the Plan for more information. Additionally, every eligible employee will receive within the next five business days a personalized EVSP packet, which will be sent to their home address for review and consideration. In the packet, you will find several documents that will provide greater detail to help you understand the Plan, how to apply for the Plan, key action dates of the Plan and how the Plan will be executed overall. The packet will include:
Personalized Cover Note: Details your personal financial impact of the EVSP option
Summary Plan Description: Describes all the Terms and Conditions of the Plan including the Application Form and a Sample Separation Agreement and General Release
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Information About Post-Employment Benefits
Personalized Separation Agreement and General Release: Includes your personalized financial impact
TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE PLAN, INTERESTED EMPLOYEES MUST SUBMIT AN APPLICATION BY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23.
We recognize that this is an important decision to consider. Please discuss the Plan with your managers, your family and your personal advisors to decide if the decision is right for you. Following the EVSP, the Company and the individual Business Units will evaluate the results of the program and assess next steps as there may or may not be a need for additional involuntary reductions.
The Human Resources team is fully prepared to support you through this change. Please do not hesitate to contact your local Human Resources Business Partner or me with any questions you may have about the Plan, to review how this EVSP option impacts you specifically, or to discuss how the closure of the Retiree Medical Plan may affect you.
Sincerely,
Cindy
As Jack noted, today we are announcing the Tribune Publishing Company Employee Voluntary Separation Program 2015 (“EVSP” or “the Plan”). This program, which is an important step to position us effectively for the future and to respond to the challenging revenue environment within our industry, is voluntary. All non-union employees who have more than one year of service with the Company are eligible to participate in the EVSP.
The Plan offers several components, including:
Severance
Benefits Continuation for certain Health & Welfare Benefits
Outplacement Services
Eligibility for a Prorated Management Incentive Bonus (MIP), if applicable
Equity Vesting, if applicable
Retiree Medical, if applicable
During the Severance or Continuation Period, employees will continue to be eligible to participate in the following company health & welfare benefit plans:
Medical
Dental
Vision
Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
Health Savings Account
In addition, we are making the difficult decision to close the retiree medical program to all active employees as of December 31, 2015. In general and based on the individual Business Unit, employees currently eligible for the Company’s retiree medical program are defined in the Tribune Publishing Company Benefit Program (“Retiree Medical Program”) as an employee who has 10 or more years of service, was hired before April 1, 2003 and is at least 55 years of age as of the employees Last Day of Work. Based on the Company’s decision to close the plan for active members as of December 31, 2015, we have outlined the impact to employees below:
Non-EVSP Employee Impact: The Company’s retiree medical program will be closed to all active employees as of December 31, 2015; therefore the benefits under this plan will terminate for all active employees who remain employed by the Company after such date.
EVSP Employee Impact: Any employee who meets the eligibility requirements of the retiree medical program and will transition out of the Company as part of the EVSP will continue to remain in the program and receive benefits past the employee’s termination date, the plan closure date of December 31, 2015 or as long as the plan continues. The Company cannot guarantee that the Retiree Medical Program will be available to retirees at any time in the future and the Company reserves the right to modify, amend or terminate the Retiree Medical Program at any time.
Please find attached a more detailed summary of the Plan for more information. Additionally, every eligible employee will receive within the next five business days a personalized EVSP packet, which will be sent to their home address for review and consideration. In the packet, you will find several documents that will provide greater detail to help you understand the Plan, how to apply for the Plan, key action dates of the Plan and how the Plan will be executed overall. The packet will include:
Personalized Cover Note: Details your personal financial impact of the EVSP option
Summary Plan Description: Describes all the Terms and Conditions of the Plan including the Application Form and a Sample Separation Agreement and General Release
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Information About Post-Employment Benefits
Personalized Separation Agreement and General Release: Includes your personalized financial impact
TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE PLAN, INTERESTED EMPLOYEES MUST SUBMIT AN APPLICATION BY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23.
We recognize that this is an important decision to consider. Please discuss the Plan with your managers, your family and your personal advisors to decide if the decision is right for you. Following the EVSP, the Company and the individual Business Units will evaluate the results of the program and assess next steps as there may or may not be a need for additional involuntary reductions.
The Human Resources team is fully prepared to support you through this change. Please do not hesitate to contact your local Human Resources Business Partner or me with any questions you may have about the Plan, to review how this EVSP option impacts you specifically, or to discuss how the closure of the Retiree Medical Plan may affect you.
Sincerely,
Cindy
h/t LAObserved
Jack Griffin on Employee Voluntary Separation Program
From: Jack Griffin
Sent: Monday, October 05, 2015 9:05 AM
Subject: Employee Voluntary Separation Program
Dear Tribune Publishing Employees:
Sent: Monday, October 05, 2015 9:05 AM
Subject: Employee Voluntary Separation Program
Dear Tribune Publishing Employees:
Today we are announcing a Voluntary Separation Program for our employees. We are doing so now to allow employees to make decisions about their own personal and professional situations at a time when the company must continue to execute on its strategic plan, which includes reducing costs.
The senior management team and I recognize that each employee makes important contributions to our company. At the same time, in the challenging revenue environment that all publishing companies face, it is critical that we make hard decisions and take the necessary steps that continue to position Tribune Publishing Company for success over the long term.
Tribune Publishing is built on and committed to quality journalism and premium content. In our short history as an independent public company, our newspaper brands have been recognized for journalistic excellence and commitment to their local communities, including two Pulitzer Prizes at the Los Angeles Times and honorable mentions for the Chicago Tribune and The Baltimore Sun. And as you may have read last week, The Sun recently received recognition from the Online News Association for its outstanding digital coverage of recent events in Baltimore.
Concurrently, we are investing in digital products, technology and talent to move the company forward. To accomplish and continue this, we must adapt our current cost structure and business model to meet changing times. This is the rationale behind the Employee Voluntary Separation Program. We recognize and appreciate that the decision whether to participate in the plan is a difficult one. Our Human Resources team stands ready to support you in the decision-making process.
Any non-union employee with more than one year of service will be eligible to participate in the program. Eligible employees will receive a personalized and detailed packet within the next five business days, and will have until October 23rd to decide whether to apply for the plan. Cindy Ballard, our head of Human Resources, will send a separate note today with further information.
As the company enters the important fourth quarter, we appreciate the continued focus and dedication our teams are already demonstrating to deliver results for all our stakeholders. Thank you for your hard work during this time and for your ongoing commitment to the success of our company.
Jack
h/t LAObserved
Monday Afternoon in the Blogosphere
Introducing Times Insider - NYTCO
Why local online sites died - Poynter
Welcome to Media Layoff Season - The Awl
10 keys to newsroom transformation - WAN-IFRA
Buyout offer now official at LA Times - LAObserved
How one newspaper company can save itself - Business Insider
Media Death March: Please, Tribune Co., Don’t Do This - Wired
Los Angeles Times newsroom cuts to begin this week - CNN Money
Tim Knight named president of Northeast Ohio Media Group - Cleveland.com
Tribune Media, Tribune Publishing compensation reported for CEOs - Chicago Tribune
Saturday, October 03, 2015
Today in Labor History
October 03 -- Union Communications Services, Inc.
The state militia is called in after 164 high school students in Kincaid, Ill., go on strike when the school board buys coal from the scab Peabody Coal Co. - 1932
The Industrial Union of Marine and Shipbuilding Workers of America is founded in Camden, N.J. It eventually merged with the Int’l Association of Machinists, in 1988 - 1933
Pacific Greyhound Lines bus drivers in seven western states begin what is to become a 3-week strike, eventually settling for a 10.5-percent raise - 1945
The United Packinghouse Workers of America (UPWA) is formed as a self-governing union, an outgrowth of the CIO's Packinghouse Workers Organizing Committee. UPWA merged with the Meatcutters union in 1968, which in turn merged with the Retail Clerks in 1979, forming the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) - 1943
The United Auto Workers calls for a company-wide strike against Ford Motor Co., the first since Ford’s initial contract with the union 20 years earlier - 1961
Folk singer/songwriter Woody Guthrie ("This Land is Your Land", "Union Maid" and hundreds of others) dies of Huntington's disease in New York at the age of 55 - 1967
Baseball umpires strike for recognition of their newly-formed Major League Umpires Association, win after one day - 1970
The state militia is called in after 164 high school students in Kincaid, Ill., go on strike when the school board buys coal from the scab Peabody Coal Co. - 1932The Industrial Union of Marine and Shipbuilding Workers of America is founded in Camden, N.J. It eventually merged with the Int’l Association of Machinists, in 1988 - 1933
Pacific Greyhound Lines bus drivers in seven western states begin what is to become a 3-week strike, eventually settling for a 10.5-percent raise - 1945
The United Packinghouse Workers of America (UPWA) is formed as a self-governing union, an outgrowth of the CIO's Packinghouse Workers Organizing Committee. UPWA merged with the Meatcutters union in 1968, which in turn merged with the Retail Clerks in 1979, forming the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) - 1943
The United Auto Workers calls for a company-wide strike against Ford Motor Co., the first since Ford’s initial contract with the union 20 years earlier - 1961
Folk singer/songwriter Woody Guthrie ("This Land is Your Land", "Union Maid" and hundreds of others) dies of Huntington's disease in New York at the age of 55 - 1967
Baseball umpires strike for recognition of their newly-formed Major League Umpires Association, win after one day - 1970
Friday, October 02, 2015
Friday Night in the Blogosphere
Newspapers make a comeback (not) - Matt Carroll
The Plot Against Student Newspapers? - The Atlantic
Why community newspapers matter - The News and Observer
APG Media buys 4 Wyoming newspapers - Washington Times
California libel protection now covers online publications - CJR
Tribune Publishing Under Pressure in Los Angeles - Media Star
Honoring Neil deGrasse Tyson for his journalism - Buzz Machine
After 48 years in newspapers, Joe Blackstock is history - Daily Bulletin
Gannett’s chief people officer would like to see more people leave - Romenesko
World’s Press Condemns Attack on Journalist and on Press Freedom - Editors Weblog
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