January 26, 2009

TO: Gregory L. Thornton, Sr. Vice President

FROM: Daniel B. Totten, President

On January 20 we met in an effort to establish a foundation for conciliation of differences and for collaboration on initiatives, both for the good of the paper.

The very next day, within the context of a grievance arbitration, the Globe declined to either conciliate or to collaborate, choosing instead as a matter of policy to spend its dollars on legal fees in lieu of using such available funds to settle cases by providing minimal benefit to bargaining unit members.

Over multiple Guild/BGEA administrations, grievance arbitration settlements have been an accepted labor–management vehicle to resolve problems. Now, Globe representative Gould opts to alter unilaterally that heritage of fair dealing, choosing a course of confrontation.

Ms. Gould evidently bears some personal animus against me (see enclosed electronic mail transmission) and perhaps that explains her judgment; however, her demonstrated attitude clearly pushes back against the January 20 and anticipated future positive efforts.

cc: H. Gould

January 26, 2009