Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012 — President Henry Davis called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m, Jan. 18, 2012, at One News Plaza, second-floor meeting room.
Treasurer Kim Leiser reported that the Guild received a $4,300 reimbursement from the CWA.
Motion/Second/Carried Leiser/Davis that the reimbursement funds from CWA be dedicated into a separate line for either training or organizing purposes.
Sandy Tan reported on mobilization.
The training session for part-timers will be held again and she was seeking the appropriate day of the week in February to hold it. Fay and others discussed that Saturday would be ideal. Part-timers will received mailed invitations and will receive $25 gift cards for gas or to Target stores for attending the event.
M/S/C Tan/Leiser to authorize the Guild purchasing $25 gift cards for each part-time Guild member who attends the part-time Guild workshop on Saturday, Feb. 25.
Phil Fairbanks reported on grievances.
There are no formal grievances but some issues in various departments:
* In circulation, two part-time district managers who had been owed back pay were paid.
* In inside circulation, management has requested to extend to temporary Guild members’ temporary status by 90 days; the members are nearing the six-month limit that would make them full-time employees. Management has said if they are not extended temporary status, the employees will likely be let go.
M/S/C Leiser/Fairbanks to approve a 90-day extension of temporary status for Ryan O’Donnell and Harriett Oliver.
* In classified, two employees were given verbal warnings for tardiness. The Guild is seeking clarification on the issue of previous warnings being deactivated after six months.
* In editorial, there are issues with freelance work. There have been concerns raised and questions asked about:
— front-page stories, including one on the anniversary of a plane crash and one involving an art expert in Rome.
— the Spotlight section running two freelance pieces.
— the News’ hiring of a college intern to cover the New Hampshire primary.
The Guild’s editorial representatives met as a group to discuss the issues; Davis, Fairbanks and Tan will be meeting with Margaret Sullivan and/or Brian Connolly about them.
Henry Davis said that the Guild and The News are looking to print the most recent collective bargaining agreement (reached in late 2011).
The News has offered a competitive price of $1.50 per book to print; the Guild will will likely use The News. The cost of printing 500 contracts, for $750, will be split with The News.
Davis and Turnbull said there have been discussions to improve the contract’s format by organizing the several MOAs (memorandum of agreement) into the parts of the contract to which they apply. This will be discussed with The News.
M/S/C Fairbanks/Leiser to approve one medical reimbursement.
Davis revisited the topic of former News employee Dana Dee, who sells long-term care insurance, soliciting Guild members for her services. It was agreed upon that after the next general membership meeting, members will be notified that she is giving an information session regarding long-term care insurance. It will be separate from the membership meeting and is not being endorsed by the Guild and attendance will be voluntary.
Davis said the community service committee is being formed with Gene Warner as its chair. The Guild is looking at community service projects that it can be a part of. More information will come at the next Guild meeting; hopefully the committee will be formed by that next meeting.
Points of information:
Vince Chiaramonte, who was authorized to have a temporary position in the design department, has been promoted to run the department. His past service to the Guild is greatly appreciated.
Feb. 4 is the State of the News meetings.
Reminder: Next month’s executive meeting is at noon because it is Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day, and some members have some serious non-Guild business to get down to that evening.
M/S/C Davis/Besecker to adjourn at 6:24 p.m.
Attendance: President Henry Davis, Vice President/Grievances Phil Fairbanks, Vice President/Mobilization Sandy Tan, Treasurer Kim Leiser, Secretary Keith McShea, office manager Tammy Turnbull, district manager chief steward Dick Fay, editorial delegates Aaron Besecker and Mark Sommer.
Excused: Inside circulation delegate Tricia Clark, editorial delegate/clerks chief steward Susan Kelley, classified delegate Beverly Gniewecki, editorial delegates Denise Gee and Mike Harrington.
Buffalo Newspaper Guild CWA Local 31026 