February Grievance Update

The following grievances have been filed with the company. At this point, the company and Guild will meet to try to resolve these issues. If no resolution is agreed to the grievance returns back to our grievance committee where we can vote to send the issue to arbitration.

Outsourcing of circulation work

The Guild has filed a grievance on the outsourcing of corporate billing work to outside vendors.

UPDATE: The Guild and company met for a grievance meeting on this matter. The company’s contention is that the work outsourced is diminimus. Between 15 to 20 percent of all corporate billing Clerk IV work was outsourced, as well as a shift per week making calls on these accounts by a circulation helper. The grievance committee has moved this matter to arbitration.

Change in commission plan

We have filed a grievance over the change in commission plans in advertising.

UPDATE: There was a presentation on this matter at the December general membership meeting. The Guild is researching past practice on this matter.

The Community Leader

We have filed a grievance based on the recent movement of work and changes made to the Community Leader based primarily on the jurisdiction language in our contract. Some community leader work (employees) has been moved inside 390 Congress, some Guild members are now doing Community Leader work, the Community Leader is now being inserted into the Press Herald, and we’re sharing management.

UPDATE: The Guild has tolled (legal term that sets aside timelines) this issue while the company decides if it wants to negotiate this matter with our lawyer. We are awaiting a response.