NewsGuild Deserves a Fair Contract


Tell D&C Publisher Michael Kane to improve his newspaper and settle the
longest labor dispute in Rochester.

The Democrat and Chronicle is the leading news organization in the Rochester area and one of the city’s top employers. Yet the newspaper has refused to offer a fair and reasonable contract offer to its newsroom employees who are represented by the Newspaper Guild of Rochester, an affiliate of the Communications Workers of America.
 
The Newspaper Guild, which represents about 100 reporters, photographers, copy editors and designers at the Democrat and Chronicle, has been without a contract since September 1992 – nearly 15 years.
 
In January, Publisher Michael Kane sat silent as parent company Gannett Inc. imposed conditions that strips benefits and cuts workplace protections, such as the ability to arbitrate layoffs and no seniority benefits.
 
Please sign the pledge. Tell Michael Kane to get back to the bargaining table and reach an agreement that’s fair to his workers.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Give the NewsGuild a Fair Contract NOW!!!

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

OUR PLEDGE FOR A BETTER COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FOR WORKERS AND READERS

We BELIEVE that the Democrat and Chronicle owes it to the community to offer a newspaper that maintains a level of quality that the Rochester area has come to expect for the past century.

We AFFIRM that newsroom workers, who are our neighbors and valuable assets in our community, are acting in the best interest of our community and upholding journalistic standards and deserve fair benefits and wages.

We PLEDGE to stand with the Newspaper Guild of Rochester as they stand up for themselves and work toward having a newspaper that everyone can be proud of.

AND WE PLEDGE that we will support the Newspaper Guild of Rochester as they fight for the core values of our community and for a settlement to the longest labor dispute in Rochester.

SIGNATURE AUTHORIZATION

I have read the statement, Fair Contract for the Newspaper Guild, and wish to add my name to the list of signatories.

I understand that the statement with the list of signatories may be published.

Signed by:

Campaign Launched:
July 09, 2007


Background Information

The Democrat and Chronicle is the leading news organization in the Rochester area and one of the city's top employers. Yet the newspaper has refused to offer a fair and reasonable contract offer to its newsroom employees who are represented by the Newspaper Guild of Rochester, an affiliate of the Communications Workers of America.

The Newspaper Guild, established in 1933 (http://www.rochesterguild.org/) which represents about 100 reporters, photographers, editorial assistants, copy editors and designers at the Democrat and Chronicle, has been without a new contract since September 1992 – nearly 15 years.

In January, Publisher Michael Kane sat silent as parent company Gannett Inc. imposed a contract that strips benefits, cuts workplace protections and prohibits union newsroom employees from participating in the company's 401(K) plan -- a benefit enjoyed by the rest of the Democrat and Chronicle.

Meanwhile, Gannett Inc. and the Democrat and Chronicle under Mr. Kane have not fulfilled its important role as the area's only daily newspaper. The paper is smaller. Popular features have been slashed. Talented employees are fleeing. And subscriptions and advertising gets more expensive.

Please sign the pledge. Tell Michael Kane to get back to the bargaining table and reach an agreement that's fair to his workers and his readers.