The Washington Post’s publisher “dropped a bomb” on its Newspaper Guild (TNG) members on the first day of bargaining talks on Tuesday. “Moments after saying that the company would not be seeking drastic changes in a proposed two-year contract, the publisher’s labor lawyer outlined its most contemptuous proposal in memory,” reports TNG 32035 co-chair Freddy Kunkle.
The Post’s proposal “would give managers the power to fire anyone for any reason,” Kunkle says. Under the Guild’s existing contract, the Post must go through a system of progressive discipline, including oral and written warnings, before suspending or terminating an employee. Its decisions are also subject to review by an arbitrator.
Other Post demands include eliminating important layoff provisions, weakening the use of seniority in deciding layoffs, and “a poison pill” that the Guild says would make it even harder for the union to collect dues at the end of the next contract.
The Post’s proposals are especially “shocking,” Kunkle says, “since the company has asked everyone to work harder than ever to cover for colleagues whose jobs have already disappeared.” The Guild is beefing up bargaining strategies and organizing efforts at the Post, urging workers there to join the Guild, “prepare for action - join us in fighting for a moral workplace.”
No comments:
Post a Comment