Union News & Announcements

To: All Guild members

From: Dan Totten

Re: Update on journalism ethics policy

Under the contract we approved last year, we agreed to the terms of a proposed Globe Journalism Ethics Policy, with the exception of a limited number of provisions to be discussed by a joint committee representing the Globe and the union. I wanted to let you know that that committee is now at work discussing the disputed provisions, and that the ethics policy will be binding upon all Guild members who work in the news and editorial departments once the policy is approved by the committee.

I have appointed Kim Blanton, Beth Daley, Kathleen Hennrikus, Michael Paulson and Jenna Russell to review the proposed policy and to represent the Guild on the negotiating committee; the Globe has appointed Ellen Clegg, Sean Keohan, Joe Sullivan, Mary Jane Wilkinson and Dan Zedek to represent management. I am leading the union’s negotiating team, and Harriet Gould is leading the paper’s team.

The union consulted with employees in multiple departments before beginning negotiations, and, while agreeing in principle that a strong journalism ethics policy is desirable, has been pushing to improve due process and free speech protections for our members, as well as to make sure the policy is fair and realistic and that the policy does not lead to negative financial consequences for our members. The company has basically proposed imposing the policy that is in place at the New York Times newspaper; the union has already succeeded in winning changes to that policy that we believe address many of our members’ concerns, and we are pushing for further modifications.

However, you should know that, in our view, the policy, if enforced, will mark a change in practice in a variety of areas. The union has asked the Globe to do a better job communicating to affected employees -- for example those in Arts and Sports who will be affected by tougher rules about acceptance of tickets from institutions we cover – about the rationale for and the implications of the new restrictions.

The policy will not come before the membership for a vote – we agreed to the overall policy as part of the last contract, and it will become binding, for the duration of our contract, once the negotiating committee reaches agreement on about 25 remaining sticking points.

The union has consulted our legal representative, David Wanger, on legal/language questions throughout the process.

Once the journalism ethics policy is approved, the specific business-side union member committee, which has already been appointed, will begin to negotiate the business ethics policy. The business ethics policy will apply to Guild members who work on the corporate side of the building.

A copy of the proposed journalism ethics policy, which already applies to newsroom employees who are not members of the Guild, can be found on the company’s home page at http://compass.globe.com/newsroom/announcements/ethics.htm

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.

January 28, 2008