May 29, 2008

 

NY TIMES’ NANCY BACHRACH

WINS KEENAN SERVICE AWARD

 

HELPED FIND JOBS FOR DISPLACED CO-WORKERS

 

The Guild is pleased to announce that New York Times activist Nancy Bachrach has been chosen as this year’s winner of its annual award in honor of Tom Keenan, former chairperson of the New York Times Guild unit who died in December 2000 after a long battle with cancer.

 

Bachrach, an outside advertising salesperson at The Times, was picked by the New York Guild’s Administrative Committee as the nominee who “has performed above and beyond the call of duty in service to the New York Local, and best exemplifies the ideals of a true labor leader, in the spirit of Tom Keenan.”

 

When her department was hit by job cuts last year Bachrach “really stepped up and took on a much more active role” to help displaced Guild members find other jobs at The Times, according to the co-worker who nominated her.

 

“From interviewing staff affected by outsourcing for potential placements within the company, to being a solid, compassionate resource for the Guild members going through their own turbulent times, Nancy has been a source of strength, advice, reason and support,” the co-worker’s nomination letter said. “Guild members truly benefit from her positive attitude, boundless energy and active support.”

 

The annual Keenan Service Award will be presented at a general membership meeting to be held in June.

 

 

MEMBERS OVERWHELMINGLY

RATIFY EL DIARIO CONTRACT

 

Guild-represented employees last week ratified a new four-year collective bargaining agreement with El Diario by a vote of 48 to 1, with one abstention.  

 

As reported earlier, the new pact contains raises of 3% (retroactive to 5/12/2007), 3% effective July 1, 2008, 4% effective June 1, 2009 and 4% effective June 1, 2010. 

 

The agreement also provides increases in life insurance coverage, cell phone allowances, relocation fees, automobile expenses, tuition reimbursement and advance money for overnight assignments, as well as major improvements to the 80-member shop’s 401(k) plan.

 

 In addition, the company agreed to adopt a new Guild-proposed medical plan to replace the existing HMO plans now offered to Guild employees.  The new plan provides better benefits for Guild members and saves the company money at the same time.

 

The bargaining committee was led by Local President Bill O’Meara, Local Representative Anthony Napoli and Unit Chairperson Oscar Hernandez.  Other members of the committee included unit members Nelson Cuello, Sonia Guerra, Edwin Lugo and Elba Wolmard.

 

TNG-CWA ELECTION RESULTS

 

           Official elections results have confirmed that there will be a change in the leadership of The Newspaper Guild sector of the Communications Workers of America, our parent union.

 

           Bernie Lunzer, currently TNG-CWA secretary-treasurer, will be sworn in as the new president of the Guild sector at the CWA convention this June.  He replaces Linda Foley. As TNG-CWA president, Lunzer also will be a CWA vice president and member of its Executive Board.

 

           Lunzer’s running mates also won.  Carol Rothman, an advertising sales representative at the Philadelphia Inquirer, will take over as secretary-treasurer.  Rothman, who is currently the TNG-CWA sector chairperson, beat Foley’s running mate Scott Stevens.

 

           Connie Knox, a copy editor at the Baltimore Sun, was elected over Lois Kirkup as the new sector chairperson.

 

           Lunzer’s slate had been endorsed by the New York Local’s Executive Committee.  Here are the final vote tallies, as announced by the TNG-CWA:

 

President -- Foley, 2,864; Lunzer, 3,611.

 

Secretary-Treasurer -- Rothman, 3,834; Stevens, 2,460. 

 

Sector Chairperson -- Kirkup, 2,347; Knox, 3,868.

 

 

# # # # #

05/29/08