President Henry Davis called the meeting to order at 5:39 p.m, Jan. 16, 2013 at The News’ second-floor meeting room, One News Plaza.
First call for BNG delegates to TNG Sector Conference and CWA Convention in April 2013
Executive Committee Retreat Updates: Phil Fairbanks, Sandy Tan & Mike Harrington
Committee Reports
Old Business
New Business
Committee reports
Mark Sommer reported on grievances. There are a few jurisdictional issues in classified, he said. There was a meeting Jan. 9 between the guild, classified management and Dan Farberman. Sommer was hopeful that some of the issues would be able to be worked out in the next few weeks.
Treasurer Kim Leiser reported on bank balances. The Guild’s finances continued to be in good health.
Sandy Tan had no report from mobilization.
New business
Henry Davis and Tammy Turnbull discussed The Newspaper Guild Sector Conference, held April 19-20 in Pittsburgh and asked the committee if any members were interested in going. The CWA Convention follows the TNG conference. It would be a road trip.
Dan Farberman is leaving News management for Kaleida Health. It was discussed that the Guild sent a note as well as a $100 donation following the passing of Farberman’s mother. Since then, Farberman’s father passed away.
Motion/Second/Carried Davis/Fairbanks to make a $100 donation in the name of Farberman’s father.
A happy hour is being organized for Farberman on Jan. 23 at Templeton Landing.
M/S/C Tan/Davis to approve the minutes for October and November as published at buffaloguild.org.
Phil Fairbanks reported on a membership outreach plan that he was asked to put together, one that was borne from the Guild’s executive retreat. The goal is to reach out to each individual member, especially part-timers.
Fairbanks distributed a handout and other committee members offered suggestions.
Tan reported for Mike Harrington, who had a short list highlighting things from contract:
Goal is to help people become more familiar rights under contract and using the playing cards as the vehicle. Examples of: Know your rights, vacation time, you are entitled to differential pay. “We’ll continue to put more on cards,” Tan said.
Mark Sommer talked about educating part-timers and others on the history of Guild & its role at BN.
Sommer discussed a comic book idea — “something out of the box.” He discussed the idea with News cartoonist Adam Zyglis and sketched out what a comic book would look like. It would require a great deal of time.
The main areas Sommer thought might be addressed:
* Benefits of being in The Newspaper Guild, health insurance, family leave;
* Why we pay dues;
* Importance of acting collectively, examples of what we’ve accomplished, the general message that the Guild gives us a voice, job protection, the push for better wages, benefits.
* A brief history of Buffalo Newspaper Guild itself, how we are affiliated with CWA, a reiteration of victories through the years.
The back page could double as an authorization card.
The plan would be a black-and-white book with a color cover. Sommer advised that the project could be expensive and that he was looking into the costs of printing it. Adam’s involvement, which would be very extensive, would cost in the neighborhood of $1,500-2000 — that is before printing costs.
“It could be an incredible thing — entertaining and really informative, telling people why The Guild matters and why people should be a part of it,” he said.
The Guild holiday party was discussed. Several members mentioned that they thought the volume of the band stifled conversation and dancing. It was suggested that in future years possibly the format would include: music from the band, then iPod selections, followed by more music from the band; or just starting the band later in the evening.
Tricia Clark reported that the amount of tickets sold was about the same as last year.
M/S/C Davis/McShea to adjourn at 6:13 p.m.
Attendance: President Henry Davis, Vice President/Mobilization Sandy Tan, Vice President/Grievances Mark Sommer, Treasurer Kim Leiser, Secretary Keith McShea, office manager Tammy Turnbull, inside circulation delegate Tricia Clark, district manager chief steward Dick Fay, ABC chief steward Felice McMillion, editorial delegates Aaron Besecker and Phil Fairbanks, editorial delegate/clerks chief steward Susan Kelley.
Excused: classified delegate Beverly Gniewecki, classified chief steward Renee Mikler, editorial delegate Mike Harrington.
Absent: Past president Pat Gormley, district manager delegate Brian Long, district manager delegate Bob Snyder, editorial delegates David Robinson and Denise Jewell Gee, nightside chief steward Mike Pesarchick.
Next executive meeting: Tuesday, Feb. 19
Buffalo Newspaper Guild CWA Local 31026 