December 29, 2008

Dear Boston Newspaper Guild Colleagues,

As discussed at the December 9, 2008 General Membership Meeting, The Boston Newspaper Guild and The Boston Globe have a contract reopener for 2009.

The Globe has put forth the below contractual items for discussion:

1. *Article III, Section 1, “Layoffs – The Globe proposes elimination of the parties’ Job Guarantee provisions and list. (NOT negotiable)


2. *Article III, Section 1, “Layoffs”, paragraph C – The Globe proposes to eliminate seniority as the major factor in determining layoffs. (NOT negotiable)


3. *Article IV, “Scheduling & Shifts” – The Globe proposes to eliminate the prohibition against changing the shift of an employee who has 15 or more years of service. (NOT negotiable)


4. Article V, “Vacations”, Section 1 – The Globe proposes to lengthen the years of service needed for respective vacation weeks.


5. *Article V, “Sick Leave”, - The Globe proposes to reduce the 15 single sick days. (NOT negotiable)


6. Article VI, “Wages” – The Globe proposes to reduce certain wage classifications, including but not limited to all “grandfathered” classifications, by varying percentages.


7. Article VIA, Section 8E, “Health Insurance”, paragraph 3 – The Globe proposes to clarify its right to terminate, amend or modify company paid retiree health insurance.


8. Article VIA, Section 8F, “Long Term Disability” – The Globe proposes to modify LTD benefits to align with NYT Co. benefit plan.


9. *Article VIII, Section 4, “Subcontracting and Technological Change” – The Globe proposes to reduce the severance benefits to employees impacted by technological change or subcontracting. (NOT negotiable)


10. Article IX, “Retirement” – The Globe proposes to modify and reduce prospectively the pension benefit.

The items above which are noted by asterisk are not negotiable per BNG-Globe Collective Bargaining Agreement, for the contract reopener.

The BNG has filed grievances against the Globe for improper inclusion of the above non-negotiable contract reopener items, as well as related issues.

Some points to consider are:

• The NYT/Globe continued to take raises and bonuses through 2008, while BNG members routinely do multiple jobs/tasks and endure a wage freeze.


• The NYT/Globe implemented a dysfunctional, error laden computer system (SAP), which is in Big-Dig like free fall with estimated costs now at $120 million. Not including client billing errors generated by this ineffective computer system.


• The NYT built an extravagant new billion dollar plus Manhattan office headquarters on the cusp of the current national economic recession.

Management at the NYT and Globe need to cut now from exorbitant management-exempt-contractor staff, and reduce astronomical salaries and bonuses.

The BNG has lost some 500 members over the past 8 years to various forms of staff reductions.

Now is the time for management to give back. The BNG has given more than its fair share.

The BNG is completely prepared to work with The Globe to ensure the company’s viability moving forward.

The items put forth for discussion by The Globe are geared more towards negatively impacting you than the continuation of a positive, successful, revenue generating media company.

There is much work ahead for all of us. The BNG Executive Committee is prepared to do whatever it takes to gain the best possible contract.

This cannot be achieved without you. BNG member input and participation is vital in all union efforts to come.

Please complete the attached survey and return to your BNG delegate ASAP.

In solidarity,

Daniel B. Totten Scott Steeves Patrice Sneyd Kathy McCabe

President Vice President Treasurer Recording Secretary

Kathie Dalton, At Large James Herndon, At Large Carl Younger, At Large

January 8, 2009