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The Buffalo News’ current buy-out offer is raising a number of questions among Guild members.

Chief among them is how many members in each department will be allowed to take the offer and whether that number will increase because of higher-than-anticipated interest in the pension enhancement.

The short answer to that question is easy. It’s up to the company. (more…)

The Guild has contracted with the financial consulting firm headed by Richard Schroeder to advise members considering the buyout offer. Richard is a former Guild president who manages the local’s investments. His firm’s expertise includes retirement planning and, in addition to helping members evaluate the buyout offer, Richard and his staff can provide general advice on retirement planning. The Guild strongly advises anyone seriously contemplating the buyout offer to use these services. (more…)

Guild retains retirement planner to help members make an informed decision

After several weeks of talks with the Guild, News management has settled on a buyout package that will seek the voluntary retirement of 23 employees by offering improved pension benefits.

Union and company leaders concluded discussions Friday that resulted in a package that is largely along the lines of what’s been previously reported, with a couple of significant improvements. (more…)

Back pay checks totaling nearly $6,000 went out this week to 12 Guild members in Classified Advertising.

The checks are part of a recent settlement between the Guild and The News that allows for the transfer of work within the Guild-represented department.

The agreement insures that Classified sales representatives will receive credit for an extra 600 lines of advertising each week if they reach the current threshold for earning incentives. (more…)

Buffalo News management has informed the Guild that it intends to offer buyouts to Guild-represented employees.

News management, in a meeting with Guild leaders Tuesday, shared a conceptual buyout offer that is similar to what was offered a year ago, which involved cash payments that start at $60,000 and scale upwards, depending on length of service at the paper.

“It’s just a concept,” said Dan Farberman, vice president of human resources. “We want to take the approach that has the greatest chance of success.”

Management is seeking total savings of $1,077,000 from Guild ranks. The company’s buyout concept anticipates 18 employees accepting a buyout, at an estimated savings of $800,000. The News said it would likely seek the balance in economic concessions. (more…)

More info at membership meeting 5:30 pm Wednesday

Buffalo News management informed Guild leaders on Friday that it wants to negotiate further concessions from the Guild to cut expenses in the face of a continuing decline in profitability.

The issue will be discussed at the Buffalo Newspaper Guild’s quarterly membership meeting at 5:30 pm Wednesday at the nearby CWA District 1 Office at 821 Elk St. The membership meetings have been restructured to highlight matters of importance to all members.

All members are strongly encouraged to attend.

Dan Farberman, vice president of human relations, informed the Guild of the company’s desire to meet and discuss cost-cutting measures at the conclusion of Friday’s Labor Management Committee meeting. Management has not yet said what concessions it would seek. (more…)