Union News & Announcements

The Boston Newspaper Guild understands fully the extraordinary pressure facing the newspaper industry. But for the New York Times Co., and The Boston Globe, to continually eliminate union jobs is unacceptable. Our workers have made The Globe one of the country's best newspapers. To continually dismantle its ranks is a mistake. It can do nothing to protect the quality of The Globe, which readers across New England have come to expect.

The BNG has lost some 78 members to layoffs or buyouts in the last three weeks. In the last few years, some 400 members have been laid off or taken buyout packages. These reductions have saved The New York Times Co. tens of millions of dollars. We have done our share. We can spare no more members.

Executives from companies all over the world are showing true leadership, by either eliminating or giving back bonus money. But NYT and Globe executives continued to receive bonus money as recently as earlier in Q1this year. In the face of declining revenues, that is not true leadership. That is greed and a lack of vision.

The BNG is now in its fourth year of a wage freeze. Yet today, The NYT and Globe announced a five percent wage cut for managers, who will also receive an additional 10 personal days. The Guild believes this is an affront to the workers who work without pay raises and perks every day.

The Guild remains committed to working with The NYT and Globe management on labor issues. We will continue to put forth cost savings and revenue options. Quite sadly, what we cannot do is force The NYT to listen to the people who produce The Globe, and our website, Boston.com, products that we care deeply about, and that is so vital to our readers and advertisers.

Guild members are ready, willing and able to "collaborate" - we simply need a willing counterpart in NYT/Globe leadership.

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

March 30, 2009