Philly Newspaper Guild Rejects Request for Contract Extension

By: Joe Strupp Newspaper Guild leaders in Philadelphia have rejected a request from the city's two major newspapers to extend its contract for 30 days beyond a scheduled Aug. 31 deadline, according to a memo to members on Monday.

The memo from Administrative Officer Bill Ross and President Dan Gross of the Newspaper Guild of Greater Philadelphia follows a request last week by Philadelphia Media Holdings for an extension. The company, which owns The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News, sought more time so that it can complete a bankruptcy reorganization plan.

But the memo contends the guild should not be asked to wait and has been willing to negotiate since February, when the last contract talks were held.

"After extensive discussion and consultation with our legal counsel, the Executive Board informed the company that we believe its request is premature because there have not been any contract negotiations to date despite our repeated offers, since February, to begin bargaining," the memo states. "Both the company's request to extend, and its failure to begin bargaining leads us to suspect that the company is unwilling to publicly disclose its bargaining position at the present time. We have been informed that top management will seek substantial contract concessions."

It later states: "We have given enough."

The guild response comes as Philadelphia Media Holdings is also requesting an extension for its deadline to submit its reorganization plan to U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Currently, the deadline is Aug. 31. But attorneys for the company have requested an Oct. 30 deadline. A hearing on that request is set for Tuesday.

Philadelphia Media Holdings spokesman Jay Devine responded to a request for comment by stating that the Newspaper Guild is the only one of the 15 unions at the two newspapers that has refused to extend its contract 30 days. He declined to comment further.

The entire guild memo to members is below:

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Dear Guild member,

As we advised you in our last bulletin, on Thursday night, Philadelphia Newspapers asked the Guild to enter into a 30-day extension of our contract, which is set to expire at midnight on August 31. This afternoon the Guild Executive Board met to review the company's request.

After extensive discussion and consultation with our legal counsel, the Executive Board informed the company that we believe its request is premature because there have not been any contract negotiations to date despite our repeated offers, since February, to begin bargaining.

Both the company's request to extend, and its failure to begin bargaining leads us to suspect that the company is unwilling to publicly disclose its bargaining position at the present time. We have been informed that top management will seek substantial contract concessions.

We have given enough.

It is our position that during the last three years we have lost 300 members, frozen our pension, and agreed to other contract changes that have helped the company.

At this time our bargaining goals are to preserve our terms and conditions of employment and protect against further erosion of our membership.

We notified the company that we are prepared to begin bargaining immediately. We will inform you of the company's position as soon as we receive a response.

In solidarity,

Bill Ross, Administrative Officer, Dan Gross, President and the Executive Board of the Newspaper Guild of Greater Philadelphia/CWA Local 38010.