Union News & Announcements

April 11, 2008

TO: Gregory Thornton
Harriet Gould
Samuel Martin
P. Stephen Ainsley

FROM: Daniel B. Totten

RE: Union meetings with members on break time

The Globe’s attached email to BNG members regarding a recent meeting Boston Newspaper Guild officers had with members in the West Zone office is unacceptable in tone, incorrect in content, and disappointing and alarming given the current newspaper climate at the Globe and throughout the newspaper industry.

As BNG President, I visited the West Zone office along with BNG vice President Scott Steeves and brought coffee to our colleagues to enjoy on their coffee break.

Boston Newspaper Guild members are contractually entitled to coffee breaks, lunch breaks, and VDT breaks.

Rather than embrace open communication and direct dialogue, the Globe’s choice was to send a hostile communication to Guild members perpetuating an already distressed work environment.

It’s a sad commentary that the Globe attempts to discourage dialogue amongst its members during a work break or anytime for that matter.

The Boston Newspaper Guild will continue to communicate with its members during work breaks and we have no interest in disrupting the workplace, such as The Globe’s hostile email has achieved. We are very much about fostering a positive and progressive atmosphere among all employees. We would hope the Globe would share that philosophy.

Rather than focusing on building internal relationships and striving to invigorate revenue streams, the Globe’s choice is to issue emails that are non-factual and regressive in pursuit of company-wide success.

cc: David Wanger

April 14, 2008