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Bearing signs reading “Fair Contract Now!” and “Shame on The News,” about 65 Buffalo Newspaper Guild members rallied April 1 at the corner of Scott and Washington streets, in front of The Buffalo News building.

Guild members called on the company to share some of the $56 million in pre-tax profits it made in the last five years while Guild members have gone without raises. The rally served to kick off the Guild’s public campaign, the first step of which will include leafletting public events.

Guild members heard from President Henry Davis and longtime Buffalo News employees Donn Esmonde and Jerry Sullivan.

“We’ve tried to persuade them at the bargaining table,” Davis said. “Unless things change, quickly, it looks like it’s time to raise a little bit of hell.”

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Feb. 16, 2015 — There is almost always a crossroads in bargaining, a time when Guild members are asked to fold their cards and settle or up the ante and continue the fight.

That time is now.

In the more than five years since our last raise, The News made $56 million in operating profit and $28.4 million in net profit. Not bad for a company claiming it’s too poor to provide raises for its employees. (more…)

December 22, 2014 — No pay raise, no way. That continues to be management’s position on granting a pay raise as we head into 2015, despite Guild members going nearly five years without one.

The News’ most recent response to Guild bargaining proposals — which include a 3 percent raise for each year in a two-year contract — was to address other outstanding issues while once again rejecting our need for a raise. (more…)

Dec. 8, 2014 — Contract talks continued last week on a slightly more positive note, but nothing has happened yet to indicate the parties are closer to agreement on some of the remaining key issues.

The News in November changed course by presenting a “package proposal” with no pay raise or bonus that would end negotiations with a deal that expires July 31, 2015.

The package withdraws some company proposals, such as changes to the Classified department, and includes measures management advanced during bargaining that it said would provide it with more flexibility, efficiency or savings. (more…)