Let's not grow old together

Journal Communications recently sent out letters declaring the company would cut off retiree health insurance for any current employee who hadn't turned 50 by the end of this year.

But many workers didn't realize those letters came in two versions: one for those under 50 and one for those over 50. If you read the over-50 edition, which includes more details, you can see the company is pushing older employees to retire before April 1, but if you read the under-50 edition, it just looks like another benefit the company is cutting back on.

The Milwaukee Newspaper Guild's leadership has been seeking more information on this move and on our options. We'll discuss this issue at our quarterly membership meeting at noon Monday on the second floor of Turner Hall.

Also on the agenda are a possible settlement of our grievance over vacation payouts (see Sept. 1 posting, "Parting gift: A kick in the TVA"); an update on our talks about pension changes; and a discussion of what we can do to support the international Guild's efforts to stand up for journalism in the face of job cutbacks at newspapers nationwide. Lunch is included.