Newspaper Guild President: 'Mistakes Were Made' in Boston

By: Joe Strupp Bernie Lunzer, national president of The Newspaper Guild, said "mistakes were made" in The Boston Globe contract negotiations that just ended with a rejection of a concession package. But he believes both sides can still reach an agreement.

"The national union was very concerned about the tenor of the talks. It was a flawed process," Lunzer said about the recent negotiations in Boston, declining to elaborate on who's to blame. "We still think there is room for discussion. Mistakes were made, and it is time to work on behalf of the Globe for a future for this premiere regional paper."

Boston Newspaper Guild President Dan Totten could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

He also said he expects the Globe to be sold, and stressed that the guild will focus on making sure its members are protected in the event of a sale.

"In the event of a sale, they will have to deal with the guild either way," Lunzer told E&P Wednesday, two days after the Boston local narrowly rejected the concession package. "I do believe that ultimately the Globe will be sold. The [New York] Times [Co.] has wanted to sell it for some time."

Lunzer pointed to a provision in the Globe unit's contract that requires any sale to include the current bargaining agreement. It states:

"ARTICLE I: RECOGNITION: SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS
Should the Employer sell, transfer, or assign its right, title or interests or transfer by receivership or bankruptcy, its interest or ownership in any form or manner to a successor employer, the Employer will include in the transfer agreement a provision requiring the successor employer to recognize the Union and to be bound by the terms and conditions of this agreement and shall deliver a copy of this agreement to the successor employer."

The Times Co. made clear its intention to sell the Globe on Tuesday by hiring an investment bank to oversee a sale. After Monday's rejection of the concession package that included an 8.3% salary cut, a weeklong unpaid furlough, and the elimination of lifetime job guarantees for about 400 employees, The Times Co. announced it would institute a 23% pay cut. The guild immediately filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board.

Lunzer would not comment on the 23% cut. He stressed that there is still a contract in place, noting the concession package was a new proposal put forth by the company.

"There is a great future for the Globe, and we believe the future of these businesses is based on engaging the front-line workers in the business plan itself," added Lunzer.