Co-working spaces expand!

Our colleagues might like to know about several new co-working options in the Twin Cities. I wrote about one of the models, at Crema Café in Minneapolis, but there are now three at least…These spaces are wonderful for networking, working, brainstorming, coffee-drinking, etc: Check out:

www.the3rdplace.us, a full-time coworking space in St. Paul

www.cocomsp.com in Lowertown

And, starting in February, Crema will be open for coworking again (as “the 3^rd place at Crema Café”), with a slightly updated model that’s half a day (Weds. afternoon) and includes coffee and ice cream. The details are at www.cremacoworking.ning.com.

Janet Moore Bankruptcy

STAR TRIBUNE NEWSPAPER GUILD                                                                          CONTACT:  Janet Moore, Co-Chair

                                                                                                                                                     612-673-7752

                                                                                                                                                     David Chanen, Co-Chair

                                                                                                                                                     612-673-4465               

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MINNEAPOLIS, MONDAY, January 25, 2010: On Tuesday, Jan. 26, journalists in the Star Tribune Newspaper Guild will remove their bylines from their stories in the newspaper and on www.startribune.com to pay tribute to colleagues who are losing their jobs in a workforce reduction.

In coming weeks, 29 copy editors, photographers, photo lab assistants, photo editors, wire and web editors, copy desk chiefs, news assistants and graphics technicians will leave the newspaper through buyouts and layoffs. Together, they represent hundreds years of service to the Star Tribune.

“These employees may be nameless to our readers, but they represent the very core of our operation. This action is intended to show our deep gratitude and respect to our co-workers who are leaving,” said Janet Moore and David Chanen, co-chairs of the Star Tribune Newspaper Guild.

The union represents about 270 journalists.

The Guild’s union contract protects the right of members to remove their bylines from stories in protest.

                                                                       -30-

Janet Moore Bankruptcy

There are a few job openings some of our departing colleagues may want to check out:

Graphic Designer Full-time – 37.5 hours per week

Summary: This position works with staff to design and create print and electronic pieces that meet their communication needs. Projects may include brochures, flyers, signage, display ads, directories, newsletters, letterhead, business cards, invitations, cards, program booklets, and logos.

 Responsibilities:

·         Take projects from concept to completion. Includes conceptualization, design, production, working with vendors and printers.

·         Take direction, communicate ideas and concepts, and seek feedback. Meet print needs and deadlines of staff. Coordinate and share work load with colleagues in PR department.

·         Seek printing bids and advertising prices, select/purchase papers, get specs from newspapers or magazines for display ads, work with vendors, photographers, stock image companies and printers.

Requirements:

·         Three to five years experience in graphic design or print production required.

·         Proficient using a Mac.

·         Proficient in Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.

·         Must be able to work with staff and vendors and to manage several projects at once.

·         Must be able to conceptualize and effectively communicate visually what the staff or program seeks to communicate to the appropriate audience.

·         Must have knowledge of the Jewish culture.

Please submit cover letter and resume to Tammy Cohen, Director of Human Resources. E-mail HumanResources@jfcsmpls.org or fax to 952.546.1679.  Please specify the position you are applying for. For more information on this position, see www.jfcsmpls.org.  AA/EEO

Here’s another ad:

Internet Broadcasting
Position:	Copy Editor
Location:	St Paul, Minnesota
Job Status:	Full-time
Salary:	Not Specified
Ad Expires:	February 19, 2010
Job ID:	1143327
Website:	http://www.ibsys.com

Janet Moore Bankruptcy

The deadline for Buyouts is 5 p.m. today. There is no recission period. Management has stated that those accepted for the Buyout will be told as early as Thursday. Departure dates will vary, depending on the individual.

After that, the layoff portion of the workforce reduction will begin.

If you have questions, please let us know.

Janet Moore/David Chanen

Co-chairs

Janet Moore Bankruptcy

What: Unit meeting

When: 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22

Where: Assembly Rooms A/B on the fourth floor.

Please plan on attending.

Janet Moore Meetings

From: Barnes, Nancy
Sent: Friday, January 15, 2010 9:52 AM
To: Moore, Janet
Cc: Mike Sweeney; Klingensmith, Michael; Sanchez, Rene; Schafer, Bob; Chanen, David; Drew, Duchesne
Subject: RE: Copy/Letter from the Guild

Dear Janet,

Thank you for bringing your concerns to our attention. I know you have the interests of your members at heart.

We worked for many weeks on the plans to reorganize the newsroom, taking into account the advice of many Guild members including senior copy editors, line editors, photo editors and designers. Our cuts are occurring two months later than the rest of the company, in part, because we knew this work required extra care. This is very painful for all of us. However, the plan that we came up with, we believe, is in the best long-term interests of the newsroom and the company. For that reason, we are going to decline the request to extend the buyout to other skill sets.

This reduction requires a reorganization of the way we do our work. That means elimination of some jobs, and creation of  different jobs to meet the needs of the new workflows. We have posted those jobs as required by our contract. The end result, however, will be the same. We expect to eliminate approximately 30 jobs in total.

In planning the reorganization, we have taken care to adhere to the agreements we have made over the years with regards to job transfers, postings, schedule changes, etc., with regards to all members of the newsroom and we will continue to do so.

I have asked Bob, who handles labor relations for the newsroom, to be available to meet with you Monday if you have any further questions or concerns.

Best,

Nancy

Janet Moore Buyouts

January 14, 2010

Nancy Barnes

Editor, Senior Vice President

Star Tribune

425 Portland Ave.

Minneapolis, MN 55104

Hand Delivered and by Email

Dear Nancy,

Last week you outlined a series of steps the Newsroom needs to take to help make the Star Tribune a “successful information company.” Those steps include a workforce reduction of “about 30 positions” in the Newsroom, the majority of them from the Guild. They also include the painful and ill-advised elimination of an entire craft — copy editing. A-scale copy editors represent 424 years of service to the Star Tribune; we believe their loss will likely affect the quality of our newspaper and website.

While our members understand more than most of their colleagues across the country the difficult challenges facing our industry and this institution, we believe the fallout from the impending job cuts will be devastating to our newspaper and website. We are formally requesting that you broaden the buyout offer to include all job titles, including reporting, under Section 7, Article 13 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement in an effort to mitigate that pain. We understand that you are averse to cutting “news-gathering” positions; however, we believe that retaining some editing and production positions would make the transition to a smaller operation smoother and less traumatic to those employees remaining.

In addition, we understand that you plan to place at least two managers in the Guild. Remember, the Guild contract requires first consideration of certain job classifications when filling vacant positions. When the Star Tribune board ordered cuts throughout the building several months ago, a reasonable person could conclude those reductions would be done to cut costs. However, we don’t understand how giving a manager a Guild job constitutes a job cut. Instead, it appears to be creative shell game to move the salaries into the Guild so you can claim savings on the management side.

Also, posting eight new jobs while eliminating 30 others begs the question: How many jobs will be eliminated?

Creating a smaller newsroom requires a cohesive, well-planned and executed strategy. You may have crafted these proposals, but it is up to our members to carry them out and to live with the consequences of your actions.

We would appreciate a prompt response to our request and questions. As always, Guild leadership is ready to meet with you to discuss positive solutions to the challenges facing us.

Sincerely,

Janet Moore/David Chanen

Co-chairs, Star Tribune Newspaper Guild

CC: Mike Klingensmith, publisher, Star Tribune

Mike Sweeney, chairman, Star Tribune

Janet Moore Buyouts

Colleagues,

At the session on unemployment yesterday, several members asked if someone from HR could hold a similar session on Cobra healthcare benefits. We asked Michael Seraphine in Human Resources, but he said he prefers to meet with employees one-on-one. His extension is 4096, or you can email him.

Several of you have been called in to individual meetings with management regarding impending changes in your job duties. Guild leadership has not been briefed on the reorganization. If your job is changing, it’s important to ask Management what your exact job title will be in the reorganization. This is important for seniority purposes.

The Contract states (Article XIII, No. 10) that Management must consult with employees first before they are transferred into a new job. Employees who are transferred to new Guild jobs must also receive written notice of the transfer seven calendar days prior to the effective date, and the written notice must include the reason for the transfer.

Finally, we had a great stewards meeting today, thanks to Pam Miller for organizing. If you want an update from that particular meeting, corner a steward, or ask your Guild leaders in person. We still need stewards in photo and design.

As always, keep your leaders and stewards updated. Thanks. Janet

Janet Moore/Co-chair

Janet Moore Buyouts

Thanks to everyone who attended the session on unemployment/dislocated worker benefits today with Mike Goldman from the AFL-CIO/Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. Special thanks to member Dee DePass for facilitating.

If you weren’t able to attend, some informational materials were left in Chez Barbara. The red booklet on unemployment insurance is especially helpful. There’s also a website: www.uimn.org 

The website for the state’s dislocated worker program is www.positivelyminnesota.com/dw 

The program offers career services, job placement services and training.

If you have question for Mike, you can call him at 651-259-7541.

Several members said they would like a similar information session on COBRA benefits. I’ve asked HR to help, and I’ll let you know if we can get a session scheduled.

If you have other suggestions, let us know. Thanks. Janet

Janet Moore Bankruptcy

When: Noon Wednesday, Jan. 13

Where: Assembly rooms A/B

What: Buyouts, questions, pop and pizza

Who: All members are welcome at stewards meetings.

Jenna Ross Stewards