Rally Monday marks 25 years of Local 51

The Milwaukee Newspaper Guild is turning 25, and our union leadership thinks that’s a milestone worth marking.

Local 51 was founded on June 1, 1984. Given all the industry turbulence that Journal Sentinel employees are dealing with, our local’s Executive Board decided a party might not be appropriate.

Instead, the Guild is inviting members to a rally at noon on June 1. Jack Norman, who helped found Local 51 and led it through some troubled waters, including the merger, will reflect on the anniversary. President Greg Pearson and Bargaining Chair Larry Sandler will make a few remarks, and we’ll discuss what lies ahead in negotiations.

The rally will be on the second floor of Turner Hall (use the north stairs off the parking lot; the restaurant will be closed). Lunch will be served — and, of course, birthday cake.

Journal Sentinel wants 2-year pact

Journal Sentinel Inc. negotiators proposed this week that the Milwaukee Newspaper Guild’s next contract last just two years, through Dec. 31, 2010.

Guild bargainers had previously proposed a four-year contract. It’s the first time in memory that the company is seeking a shorter contract than the union. The management team said their proposal reflects the difficulty of long-term financial forecasting for our company and others in the newspaper business.

The company’s proposal on the term of the contract came as bargaining resumed after a hiatus of more than five months. Management negotiators halted the talks last November, as the company’s fiscal outlook started to deteriorate. Our contract was set to expire Dec. 31, but it has a clause that provides an automatic extension while negotiations continue.

During the break in regular talks, the two sides agreed on a deal to avoid layoffs by cutting wages 6.6%, effective this coming Sunday, in exchange for a no-layoff guarantee through Sept. 30 and 10 personal days during 2009. Guild and management representatives signed that agreement Wednesday.

Also during talks Wednesday and Thursday, we discussed provisions dealing with union jurisdiction and columnists, after an overview of tentative agreements that had been previously reached and Guild positions on issues not yet resolved. A subcommittee will resume discussion of drug and alcohol testing provisions during May. Future bargaining sessions are set for June 2-3, June 29-30 and July 8-9.