Newspaper Union Pickets Perry Event
Union Leader reportedly requesting 10 percent pay cut or will cut workforce.
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Guild gives company contract proposal a chili reception: Members of the Manchester Newspaper Guild, TNG-CWA, left to right from rear Reporter Kathy Marchocki (in yellow), business reporter Denis Paiste, reporter Mark Hayward (obscured by sign), reporter Pat Grossmith and copy editor and local vice president John Tucker discuss the draconian contract proposal presented to them by The New Hampshire Union Leader management with state Sen. Tom De Blois, R-Manchester, in maroon jacket, and Steve Matthews (blue polo shirt) at the World Championship Chili Cookoff in Manchester.
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While Occupy has been on the mind of everyone recently, closer to home, the Manchester Newspaper Guild, the union representing workers at the New Hampshire Union Leader newspaper, recently picketed outside the home of 2012 gubernatorial candidate Ovide Lamontagne, who was hosting a house party for Gov. Rick Perry, R-Texas, at the time.
Union members, in a press release, requested that all candidates that meet with the newspaper for an endorsement, to request that newspaper management “bargain respectfully with its unions.” According to the union, employees accepted a 12 percent salary reduction and other givebacks two years ago. Now newspaper management is requesting the union make more concessions, including another 10 percent pay cut by the end of October. Without the cuts, six employees could be let go.
Norm Welsh, president of the union, said members would like to reach out to the candidates during editorial board meetings and other events, but don’t always have the opportunity.
“We're not alerted as to who is coming in when, making it difficult to do,” he said in an email. “But if the opportunity arises, we would gladly discuss with them. We will gladly discuss with anybody. We have not contacted the individual presidential campaigns asking for an audience when they visit, either.”
The Guild, which is a local of the The Newspaper Guild, a sector of the Communications Workers of America, is in negotiations with the Union Leader. The current contract expires on Dec. 31. They are planning more actions in the future.
Kerry Marsh, the state director for NH Team Perry, did not respond to an email requesting comment.
The Newspaper Guild is asking readers and others to sign this online petition: Change.org Start an Online Petition »
