Union News & Announcements

April 24, 2007

Dear BNG member:

The below should clarify any confusion caused by a memo distributed today by Mark Anastas. Below are the facts related to the posting of the vacancy of the Vice President position.

The BNG Vice President position is currently vacant due to the departure of former Vice President Steve Richards in the general buyout that closed on March 19, 2007.

Steve Richards' last day at the Globe was March 28, 2007.

The BNG Executive Committee met on April 3, 2007 and unanimously agreed to approve to fill the VP position on an interim basis due to the continued extenuating circumstances of outsourcing, staff reductions and volume of general issues around the Globe (grievances, etc.)

While BNG bylaws state vacancies other than president are not “required [to be filled] within 2 months of an election”, the above noted special circumstances have made an interim VP necessary. The bylaws do not state that such action is prohibited, nor do they preclude the Executive Committee from such an action, nor is the Governing Board precluded from such an action should they deem it necessary.

Discussions with BNG legal counsel E. David Wanger confirmed that the Executive Committee was within its rights in seeking to fill the position on an interim basis.

The position will be filled by Governing Board appointment on May 8 and will be subject to formal nomination that evening as well as all general election requirements for the June 14, 2007 election.

If you have any questions regarding this matter or would like a copy of the BNG bylaws please contact the union office at 617-773-3232

Sincerely,

Daniel B. Totten, President
Boston Newspaper Guild
TNG – CWA Local 31245

April 25, 2007