Agenda emailed prior to meeting:
Guild Executive Committee Meeting Agenda for Dec. 11, 2013
Approval of minutes
— None so far
Committee Reports
— Finance: Kim Leiser
— Contract administration: Mark Sommer
— Mobilization: Sandy Tan
Old Business
— Summary of Multi-district conference: Davis/Sommer/Turnbull
— Post-mortem on holiday party: Tammy Turnbull
New Business
— Naming of 2014 Guild bargaining team
————————–
Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013
President Henry Davis called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m, Dec. 11, 2013 at The News’ second-floor meeting room, One News Plaza.
Sandy Tan reported on the holiday party. She said that about the same number of people attended this year compared to last year, despite this year’s party being free for Guild members. There were many compliments on the space.
Mark Sommer reported that the grievance committee held a meeting last week.
In inside circulation, work is being taken away. There have been changes in management, people reassigned and titles changed — there seems to be a certain amount of work that management feels it can do, but they can’t, Sommer said. A grievance was authorized in this matter.
A couple of people in the classified department feel like they have been harassed, Sommer said. He said that the Guild has asked its attorney to look into the situation.
Sommer reported that there was an altercation in the sports department that was under investigation, that it was a serious matter and the Guild is waiting for the company to do its due diligence. No decision has been made yet by the company.
Davis told the committee that we need to approve a bargaining team. There was a recent meeting between the Guild and The News; bargaining may begin as early as February.
Davis offered the same negotiating team as last round: Felice McMillion, Kim Leiser, Henry Davis, Mark Sommer, Aaron Besecker, Tammy Turnbull and Marion Needham.
“It’s been a good team,” Davis said. “There are different personalities, different strengths. There will be the same concept we’ve had previously – if issues come up that affect certain departments, we’ll consult with those departments.”
The mobilization plan/strategy was touched on. Sandy Tan is leaving the VP/mobilization role and being replaced by Phil Fairbanks.
Motion/Second/Carried Kelley/Fay to name Felice McMillion, Kim Leiser, Henry Davis, Mark Sommer, Aaron Besecker, Tammy Turnbull and Marion Needham to the 2014 Guild bargaining team.
Dick Fay: “Nice job, Sandy.”
M/S/C Robinson/Kelley to approve hospitalization reimbursement.
M/S/C McMillion/ Kelley to approve 2014 meeting dates: Executive meetings at noon at The News on Wed. Jan. 15, Tue. Feb. 18, Wed. March 19, Wed. April 16, Tue. May 20, Wed. June 18, Wed. July 16, Tue. Aug. 19, Wed. Sept. 17, Wed. Oct. 15, Tue. Nov. 18, Wed. Dec. 17 and local meetings on Feb. 19, May 21, Aug. 20 and Nov. 19 (all Wednesdays) at The News auditorium.
Davis reiterated that the holiday party worked out really well.
M/S/C McShea/Kelley to adjourn at 5:19 p.m.
Attendance: President Henry Davis, Vice President/Grievances Mark Sommer, Treasurer Kim Leiser, Secretary Keith McShea, office manager Tammy Turnbull, classified delegate Beverly Gniewecki, editorial delegate David Robinson, ABC chief steward Felice McMillion.
Excused: district manager delegate Bob Snyder and editorial delegates Aaron Besecker and Trey Bankhead and editorial delegate/clerks chief steward Susan Kelley.
Absent: Past president Pat Gormley, district manager chief steward Dick Fay, district manager delegate Brian Long, classified chief steward Renee Mikler, editorial delegates Denise Jewell Gee, Mike Harrington, Phil Fairbanks, nightside chief steward Mike Pesarchick and Mary Beth Pauline.
Buffalo Newspaper Guild CWA Local 31026 