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Topic: Memos Sent to Romenesko
Date/Time: 5/24/2007 9:39:16 AM
Title: SF Chron, union agree on buyout package
Posted By: Jim Romenesko
 
San Francisco Chronicle newsroom union memo

May 23, 2007

GUILD AND CHRONICLE REACH TERMS ON BUYOUTS

Negotiators for the Northern California Media Workers Guild and San Francisco Chronicle reached agreement today on terms of voluntary buyout packages to be offered editorial employees as part of a previously announced plan to reduce the size of the newsroom.

Management said it expects to approach individuals in the news departments starting sometime in June with the following offer:

* Two weeks pay per year of service up to a maximum of 52 weeks.

* Free medical coverage for the same time period as the buyout term. (Company will pay premiums under the subsidy program known as COBRA.)

* Minimum buyout for junior employees of six weeks pay and two months COBRA benefits.

* Unemployment eligibility subject to the provisions of applicable laws and regulations.

About 80 Guild-covered editorial positions are expected to be cut as part of a cost-reduction effort. The buyout program is intended to reduce and perhaps eliminate the need for involuntary layoffs. If the voluntary phase of the job reductions fails to reach the target, involuntary layoffs would be done subject to the terms of the Guild's collective bargaining agreement.

In addition to the union positions, Chronicle management also said it intends to eliminate about 20 exempt jobs. Most of those reductions are expected to be announced within a short time, after which the final details of the job cuts in Guild ranks would be finalized.

The program anticipates a series of private meetings between buyout-eligible union members and management representatives. Each Guild member invited to participate in such a discussion will be entitled to Guild representation, if the person requests a representative to be present.

During a two-hour meeting today at the Guild headquarters, union negotiators obtained assurances that no one will be coerced or forced into accepting a buyout. At the same time, management made it clear that work assignments and performance expectations may change in the reordered newsroom consistent with business goals.

The company expects to provide to the Guild this week detailed lists of
employees by department and job classification.

Guild members with questions about the process should contact their shop steward or the Guild office, in addition to the representatives who attended Wednesday's meeting: Doug Cuthbertson, executive officer; Linda Frediani, representative; Michael Cabanatuan, local president; Kathleen Rhodes, Chronicle Unit Chair; and Carl Hall, immediate past president.

Representing the company: Calvin Siemer, vice president, legal affairs, and Barbara Morrissette, vice president, human resources.

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