Guild Gripe p.

By: George Garneau

Detroit Guild says newsrooms are unsafe sp.

The Newspaper Guild of Detroit has accused the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press of exposing computer users to injury by failing to provide properly designed furniture.
In complaints filed with the Michigan Department of Public Health, the union charged the papers with failing to meet their legal obligation to provide a safe workplace for nearly 500 union-represented workers, overwhelmingly journalists who routinely work at computer terminals.
The union cited surveys showing widespread worker complaints about symptoms of repetitive strain injury (RSI), a broad category of musculoskeletal injuries, including tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome, resulting from holding one's hands in place and repeating movements.
The complaint said the papers in many instances provided non-adjustable furniture, some dating from the 1960s and some brand-new.
Experts overwhelmingly advocate adjustable tables and chairs, indirect lighting, and frequent breaks for stretching as the best means for computer users to avoid the painful and sometimes disabling conditions.
The union, which represents newsroom employees at both papers, said the papers should have installed furniture and lighting specially designed for computer users.
The union said it filed the charges with Michigan's Division of Occupational Health after years of trying "to persuade" the papers "to provide a safe workplace."
The complaints cite a 1990 survey finding 20% of Free Press newsroom employees had sought medical treatment for a work-related RSI. A 1992 Guild survey of the News newsroom found 74% of 82 respondents "frequently" experienced at least one RSI symptom.
Gannett Co. operates the News newsroom, Knight-Ridder operates the Free Press newsroom. The companies share ownership of the Detroit Newspaper Agency, which runs the business that publishes both papers.
"Obviously we think we provide a safe workplace for employees. That's the desire and that's what we think we've done," said Free Press managing editor Bob Magruder.
According to the union, the Free Press ignored union efforts to advise on newsroom renovations and installed non-adjustable tables last year, resulting in more employee complaints.
Magruder said employees were consulted "throughout" the renovation, and the new office furnishings "met all standards of professional organizations that we know of."
He said chairs are adjustable, and employees were offered a desk attachment that adjusts keyboard height. He said he has received only two complaints about the renovations?despite a memo seeking feedback.
RSI complaints go to the agency's human resources vice president, who was not available for comment on how many employees have complained of RSI.
Michigan occupational safety officials have started an investigation at the News, according to state health department spokesman Doug Kalinowski, who declined to discuss the Free Press case because no action had been taken.
The investigation will include videotaping, interviews with employees, and a review of injury and illness records over five years.
The state has no standards governing office ergonomics, Kalinowski said. It can charge, and has charged, companies with "general duty" violations if conditions pose "serious harm," he said. Fines range to $7,000 per violation, $70,000 for willful violations.
Detroit News editor and publish-
er Robert Giles was unavailable for comment.