Boston Newspaper Guild "Encouraged" By Idea of Sale of 'Boston Globe'

By: Joe Strupp The Boston Newspaper Guild says it is "encouraged" that The New York Times Company is seeking to sell The Boston Globe, but is requesting to meet with any potential buyers, according to a statement from Guild
President Dan Totten.

Totten issued the statement late Wednesday, which adds that a sale similar to that of the Blethen Maine Newspapers, which included an employee ownership provision, would be favored.

The statement follows Monday's close guild rejection of a concession package that included an 8.3% salary cut,
a week-long furlough and other givebacks. The Times has since said it plans to implement a 23% salary reduction.

Totten's statement is below:

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"The Boston Newspaper Guild is reiterating its call, which it made at the early stages of negotiations with the New York Times Company, to meet with any potential buyers of the Boston Globe to discuss our contract, and the future of the Globe and Guild members.

The Guild is encouraged by the New York Times Company's decision to put the Boston Globe up for sale.
We recognize that we are all facing difficult economic times and understand that any future owner of the Globe would require changes to our contract. We would like to explore with any potential new owner the possibility of an equity stake in the newspaper for its Guild employees and would work with any ownership group to be a positive dynamic in any sale process.

We believe a good model for potential buyers to follow is the recent example of Portland, Maine. In return for changes in their contract, the Portland Newspaper Guild and other union members are receiving limited ownership in the newspapers and two seats on the new company's board of directors. We understand that
the sale papers will be signed on Monday."

- Dan Totten, Boston Newspaper Guild President, June 10, 2009