President Henry Davis called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m, Oct. 17, 2012 at The News’ second-floor meeting room, One News Plaza.
Motion/Second/Carried Davis/Tan to approve the minutes of the September executive meeting.
Treasurer Kim Leiser is working the budget.
Mark Sommer reported on grievances:
Management wanted to install recording devices in inside circulation and classified. Management was told to notify the Guild prior to the system being implemented; the Guild still needs to bargain with them over the system. Tammy Turnbull, Sandy Tan and Sommer met with management regarding the system.
Sandy Tan reported on mobilization.
Tan is seeking content for future playing cards, which continues to be a success with members. She was specifically seeking ideas from outside the newsroom.
She is putting together a survey on personal equipment use for work.
She is also seeking a Labor Management Committee meeting with Dan Farberman.
Henry Davis reported new business:
Davis said The Guild needed to consider approving money to send at least two representatives to the multi-district meeting in St. Louis, where there will be important presentations regarding the potential reorganization of the Newspaper Guild.
Davis said Kim Leiser and Tammy Turnbull would be natural choices to attend.
The cost — airfare and accommodations — for two people would be $1,088, the cost for three would be $1,632. .
M/S/C Tan/Fairbanks To approve funds for up to three people to attend the Great Lakes District meeting in St. Louis.
Davis discussed how he and Tammy Turnbull had met with The News regarding their desire to institute a social media policy.
Davis said The News wanted “something simple” and there was an agreement in principle to make an amendment to the established electronic policy in the contract.
Davis and Turnbull have been in communication with Marian Needham and Barbara Camens in researching social media policies. There was a lengthy discussion of various concerns regarding possible penalties or discipline for social media use and what kinds of social media use would be eligible for discipline.
Davis reminded committee members about the promising Nov. 2 guild executive committee retreat.
Tan pointed out that the Guild should push for, as per the contract, the disclaimer “special marketing section” being used appropriately in News publications such as Buffalo Magazine.
M/S/C Davis/Tan to adjourn at 6:31 p.m.
Attendance: President Henry Davis, Vice President/Mobilization Sandy Tan, Vice President/Grievances Mark Sommer, Secretary Keith McShea, district manager chief steward Dick Fay, editorial delegates Denise Jewell Gee, Aaron Besecker and Phil Fairbanks, editorial delegate/clerks chief steward Susan Kelley.
Excused: Treasurer Kim Leiser, office manager Tammy Turnbull, classified delegate Beverly Gniewecki, editorial delegate Mike Harrington.
Absent: inside circulation delegate Tricia Clark, ABC chief steward Felice McMillion, classified chief steward Renee Mikler, past president Pat Gormley, district manager delegate Brian Long, district manager delegate Bob Snyder, nightside chief steward Mike Pesarchick, editorial delegate David Robinson.
Next executive meeting: Tuesday, Nov. 13.
Buffalo Newspaper Guild CWA Local 31026 