A New Year’s Note from Your Co-Chairs
Colleagues,It’s been a few weeks since we’ve communicated, and we have a couple of updates.
First, Happy New Year! We know that holiday scheduling has been a challenge for many corners of the room, particularly for the copy desk, designers and nightsiders. Thank you for the work that you do. If you worked overtime, file for it. That goes for everyone.
In other news, we are beginning and continuing several committees to help make our workplace better. Get involved!
The MOBILIZING COMMITTEE is Jackie Crosby’s baby. This committee will meet regularly to discuss ways to mobilize. We must begin mobilizing NOW to prepare for 2013 negotiations. Activities may range from sprucing up the Guild bulletin board to helping plan rallies on behalf of your colleagues. If interested, contact Jackie.
The TRAINING COMMITTEE has been dormant in recent months due to the departures of Myron Medcalf and Emma Carew-Grovum. This committee has done some great work in the past, and we need a new person to head it. If you’re interested, please contact Janet or David.
The DIVERSITY COMMITTEE has been a great success, as well. If you’re interested in serving, please contact Tom Horgen.
We have an update on indoor bike storage. Although this is not a contractual issue, we asked the company to explore this on behalf of the many bikers in our unit (and throughout the Star Tribune). We were told that indoor bike storage is not an option because of cost and security concerns. However, the company did say that it will improve the outdoor bike cage in the A-lot, probably this spring. In the meantime, there are bike lockers in the Haff parking garage, kitty-corner to the bike cage. It’s about $50 a year to rent a locker. If you’re interested in renting a locker, the Guild will advocate on your behalf to have the fee reimbursed by the company.
We’d also like to welcome two new officers: Vince Tuss and Tom Horgen, who graciously stepped up to serve on our leadership team. Your remaining Guild officers deserve a tip of the cap, as well: Kathe Connair, Pam Miller and Jackie Crosby, as well as our local’s executive officer, Mike Bucsko.
We’d like to thank the CHEER committee, run quietly and efficiently by Kevin Duchschere and Randy Furst.
We’d also like to salute GRAYDON ROYCE, who is stepping down from Guild leadership at the Strib, although he’s still the president of our Local. Graydon has seen this unit through unprecedented times — financial woes, bankruptcy, and other assorted turmoil. He’s done so with a steady hand and a sharp mind. Thank you, Graydon.
A final note: Our colleagues at the Pioneer Press begin contract negotiations tomorrow. We all know how difficult negotiations can be, and David and I have sent a letter to Pioneer Press Guild co-chairs Mara Gottfried and Gayle Grundtner expressing our support.
We may compete fiercely in the marketplace, but we share many common issues in the workplace. The letter can be found at a post below
Janet Moore/David Chanen
Co-Chairs
Star Tribune Newspaper Guild