PG installs ramp after Guild action 

Congratulations to the company for installing a long overdue ramp to provide handicapped access to the main entrance of the Post-Gazette.

Last year, the Guild's Human Rights Committee brought the issue to the company's attention in a letter that also addressed other inequities, including the failure to provide domestic partner benefits and the lack of diversity in the newsroom and on the
editorial board. The committee reminded the company of the access issue on
several other occasions since then and finally netted a positive result.

Congratulations to the members of the committee and chair Annie O'Neill for their dogged pursuit of the handicapped access issue. But let's not rest on our laurels - the other inequities remain. With Annie off on a sabbatical, Natalie Hill has taken over as chair of the committee.

 

Point Park unit ready for action

 

Members at our Point Park University unit are working to build solidarity in the unit and to put the administration on notice that their legal delay tactics won't dissipate support for the Guild.
The college administration has refused to bargain with the union and decided instead to challenge the federal government's certification of the union election by the fulltime faculty. The administration apparently believes it can arbitrarily defy the government.
The process has now reached the full National Labor Relations Board in Washington, D.C., on a course that will soon end up in federal appeals court, a process that will take months.
Meanwhile, the Point Park Guild members are mobilizing

A steward system is being established to maintain lines of communication within the unit. The unit also has four new officers on the Guild's executive committee - Bill Breslove, chairman; Ed Meena, vice-chairman; Soren Hogsgaard, secretary; and Darlene Marnich, treasurer.
Members should be alert to any attempts by the administration to change working conditions or alter their duties, particularly if those changes will result in a supervisory role. Federal law prohibits an employer from changing working conditions after they have been formally advised of a demand to bargain from a union.
If you are unsure about administration overtures or see unusual changes in the workplace, please contact one of the Point Park unit officers or the Guild office at 412-880-4001 or official1@pghguild.com.

Local elects officers for 2004-05 term 

New officers for Local 38061 and the local's three units began their new terms on Nov. 1. The executive committee welcomes two new members from the Post-Gazette, Jim Heinrich and Marianne Mizera, as well as the aforementioned four new Point Park unit officers. Mike Bucsko, who begins his fifth year as president, and the other officers were elected without opposition.
In addition to Bucsko, the officers for the 2004-2005 term year are: Sally Kalson, 1st vice-president; Marianne Mizera, 2^nd vice-president; Natalie Hill, 3rd vice-president; Ed Blazina, secretary; and Ken Fisher; treasurer.
PG unit: Mike Fuoco, unit chairman; Dave Peters, unit secretary; Patt Risher, unit treasurer; Jim Heinrich, unit delegate to the executive committee.
Monessen unit: Chris Buckley, unit chairman; Scott Sawa, unit vice-chairman; Melissa Myers, unit secretary; Sharri Todd, unit treasurer.

Monessen unit begins contract preparation

 
Guild members at The Valley Independent unit in Monessen are preparing for negotiations early next year on their contract that expires April 30.
Surveys were distributed during a meeting in early October to gauge members' views on their most important issues. The Guild will also meet with each department to discuss the needs of members in the workplace. The meetings and surveys will be used to draft a contract proposal for negotiations.
 

Guild holiday party on tap Dec. 4 

 

The Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh cordially invites all of its members to the annual holiday party on Saturday, Dec. 4.
We will gather at 8 p.m. in the newly remodeled Kings Garden at the Pittsburgh Hilton for cocktails and fine hors' d'oeuvres, excellent food, a tempting array of desserts and dancing until 1 a.m. Tickets are $15 per person, an incredibly low price for a festive night in a beautiful setting.

If you wish to stay overnight at the Hilton, the hotel is offering a $99 rate for a single or double room, plus 14 percent tax. To take advantage of this rate, you must notify the hotel no later than Friday, Nov. 12. Contact Meredith Ibella at 412-594-2265.
So that we may keep an accurate head count, please pay by check to Marylynne Pitz, Michael A. Fuoco or Marianne Mizera no later than Tuesday, Nov. 30. That way, we can give the hotel an accurate count.  If you have questions, please contact Marylynne at 412-263-1648 or at mpitz@post-gazette.com.
We look forward to seeing all of you on Saturday, Dec. 4!