tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54275258523004540562011-09-03T03:32:13.733-07:00Welcome to the Stress-Telegram, your source for Southern California Media Guild updates, information, news, and media-related gossip. We believe that every challenge holds an opportunity, and an open dialogue is crucial to building successful relationships - not just with management, but with our fellow journalists and the communities we all serve.Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.comBlogger2951100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-9121329653054349572010-08-28T17:49:00.000-07:002010-08-28T17:54:31.063-07:00

A Guild member tipped us off to this video of a fire at the former Press-Telegram building.

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-1369078855211352032010-08-28T08:33:00.000-07:002010-08-28T15:51:13.954-07:00

We've gotten word on several upcoming Guild initiatives, and the immediate future is shaping up to be very busy indeed.One Nation MarchCWA is asking all members to consider participating in the One Nation March, in support of real progress. Blue collar and middle class Americans are this nation's most valuable resource, and we deserve a government dedicated to strengthening and protecting our

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-52838346138426522892010-07-26T18:21:00.001-07:002010-07-26T19:24:18.652-07:00

Online advertising is more popular than ever, and represents an ever-increasing slice of the media revenue pie. But as media properties grow their online audience, advertising revenues have seen their margins slashed. Daniel Lyons at Newsweek points out that The Huffington Post, top dog of online media, will earn approximately $30 million in revenue this year. That's despite having five times the

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-92093461268709738422010-07-16T15:30:00.000-07:002010-07-16T15:37:26.257-07:00

PoynterOnline is reporting that the Guild has reached a "tentative agreement" with Time Inc. The three-year contract provides Guild members yearly pay increases and additional job security, and in return Time Inc. will have greater flexibilty in assigning work to employees. Specific details of the contract will be released after the deal is ratified by Guild members.Guild President Bill O’Meara

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-42380720609193998792010-07-01T05:45:00.001-07:002010-07-01T07:27:09.317-07:00

The 2010 Los Angeles Press Club SoCal Journalism Awards included members of both our Daily News and Press-Telegram units, and we'd like to congratulate not only the winners, but everyone in each newsroom for producing the quality journalism that's so vital to local communities.Tracy Manzer and Kelly Puente shared top honors in the Hard News category, followed by Press-Telegram reporter Greg

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-65029479866295940552010-06-08T17:43:00.000-07:002010-06-08T17:55:36.064-07:00

As the newspaper industry reels from bankruptcies among some of its most powerful players, a new class of investors have quietly stepped in, seeking to capitalize on rock-bottom stock prices. Michael Oneal of the Chicago Tribune suggests that this isn't a takeover of the industry, but it will have an impact - the scope of which remains to be determined.The natural tension for funds like Angelo

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-8465154362718135712010-06-08T17:10:00.000-07:002010-06-08T17:14:33.927-07:00

The Press-Telegram is on the lookout for an editor to replace John Futch, who leaves in August. JournalismJobs.com has the details.The Press-Telegram, the newspaper of Long Beach (California) and surrounding areas, has a rare opening for an EDITOR for its award-winning newsroom. Our ideal candidate craves local news, thrives on deadline and relishes the challenge of converting a blank planning

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-1381179264475297402010-06-03T15:11:00.000-07:002010-06-03T15:26:11.706-07:00

John Futch, managing editor of the Press Telegram, told staffers that August would be his final month with the paper, in a meeting earlier today.Futch, a stalwart newsroom fixture at the Press-Telegram for nearly three decades, probably does more to get each edition out the door than anyone in the building. His dedication and experience leave some incredibly large shoes to fill.Management has not

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-22565678294403465202010-05-25T12:08:00.000-07:002010-05-25T12:10:31.403-07:00

Joe Haakenson, the Sports Editor for the Long Beach Press-Telegram, was let go Friday.Haakenson, a nearly 25-year veteran of the news industry, was reportedly offered a transfer to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune with a 15-percent pay cut, but declined.Sports editing duties at the Press-Telegram will now be performed by the P-T's Executive City Editor John Futch, who also currently serves as the

SoCal Media Guildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696173983620912022noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-45907973361365342382010-05-18T05:21:00.000-07:002010-05-19T12:13:46.443-07:00

Billionaire investor Warren Buffett told his annual meeting that it "blows your mind" how quickly the newspaper industry is losing the fight for readers and advertisers.Despite dire warning from Berkshire Hathaway, many in the industry say that bankruptcy, and the attendant release of enormous debt structures, will enable many newspapers to preserve, and even grow advertising revenue.In this

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-23353662648511598942010-05-05T09:00:00.000-07:002010-05-05T19:27:11.535-07:00

Sumner Redstone, Chairman of Viacom, says newspapers are not only dying, they're dead. And in two years, they'll be extinct.According to BusinessWeek, the comments came as part of a dig at News Corp. and Rupert Murdoch.“He lives in ink, and I live in movies and television,” Redstone said. “Ink is going to go away, and movies and television will be here forever, like me.”

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-64448938238847595232010-04-28T13:57:00.000-07:002010-04-28T20:00:58.982-07:00

The California Newspaper Publishers Association announced the winners of their 2009 Better Newspapers Contest on Saturday, and the winners include Press-Telegram writer Greg Mellen and photographer Stephen Carr, and former reporter Wendy Thomas Russell.Congratulations to Greg, Steve, and Wendy. We know how hard you and the rest of the staff work every day to serve the Long Beach community.

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-3753124453836460412010-04-14T10:29:00.000-07:002010-04-14T10:59:18.622-07:00

From Romenesko: The Memphis Newspaper Guild has been informed by management at The Commercial Appeal that the company believes the two sides to be "at impasse," and the company's latest proposal will be implemented if the Guild does not respond by April 27.The Guild is trying to avoid that outcome, since it would mean unlimited outsourcing (and layoffs), a frozen pension, and would eliminate the

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-72125659945057125272010-04-09T13:04:00.000-07:002010-04-09T13:27:00.293-07:00

According to Media Matters, Guild members in Philadelphia took action last month when employees at the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News received a memo from parent company Philadelphia Newspapers, outlining its policy on social networking. Guild reps fear the vague and nonspecific terms of the policy are excessive. The mediamatters.org article contains the full memo. Read it and

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-85133587705840787312010-04-06T14:36:00.000-07:002010-04-06T15:12:38.776-07:00

The proper role of interns in the newsroom is a touchy subject. We know. And the line separating supporters and opponents cuts across ideology - two people that never disagree politically will suddenly find themselves at odds over how much work interns should contribute to the newsroom.So for the moment, we're staying out of it. That said, here's a link forwarded by one of our members.According

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-81788776815705849792010-03-29T13:35:00.000-07:002010-03-29T14:03:02.561-07:00

What do readers want out of online news? Yes, people want multimedia. They want games, maps, 30 Rock on Hulu, bootlegged first-run movies from Pirate Bay, and whacked-out amateur videos on YouTube and a dozen other sites. But there’s no evidence that they want, for instance, a thoughtful interactive map/video/database mashup on Afghanistan or global warming on which they can comment. There’s no

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-23304356707478088972010-03-29T11:36:00.000-07:002010-03-29T12:20:11.758-07:00

Long Beach Press-Telegram reporter Tracy Manzer has been named the Distinguished Service Award recipient for 2010 by the Long Beach Police Historical Society. In presenting the award to Manzer during a ceremony Thursday, Long Beach Police Department Cmdr. Gary Morrison cited her many years of fair and accurate reporting as a significant contribution to the historical record of the LBPD.

SoCal Media Guildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696173983620912022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-74487129797942578712010-03-29T11:27:00.000-07:002010-03-29T11:31:10.801-07:00

President Obama announced Friday he would appoint 15 high-ranking administration appointees now awaiting Senate confirmation through recess appointments, including two positions on the National Labor Relations Board. The president said he plans to use his constitutional authority to seat Craig Becker, a former union lawyer, and Mark Pearce, also a former union lawyer, to the labor board while

SoCal Media Guildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696173983620912022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-53253709274307793832010-03-19T13:26:00.000-07:002010-03-19T13:39:26.906-07:00

Veteran AP newsman Dan Robrish isn't scared of the economy, or its effect on the newspaper industry. In fact, he thinks this could be an opportunity for journalists. Some of them at least.“It’s often said that newspapers are dying, but that’s a gross oversimplification,” stresses Robrish. “The papers with the big problems are the metropolitan dailies. You can get that information from so many

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-40317223808785891102010-03-17T12:55:00.000-07:002010-03-17T12:56:39.820-07:00

It appears another marker is set to be placed at journalism's Boot Hill. The District Weekly's editor-in-chief Ellen Griley confirmed to LBPost.com Wednesday morning that the Long Beach-based alt-weekly, barring any last minute financial reprieves, will be folding. The confirmation follows more than a week of rampant speculation about the fate of the publication. No firm date was immediately

SoCal Media Guildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696173983620912022noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-17218524981137145962010-03-15T09:06:00.000-07:002010-03-15T09:20:52.262-07:00

According to Tom Rosenstiel, director of the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism, charging for online news means "significant consumer resistance."That's the consensus of the project's annual journalism survey, which was released Sunday. In this article Associated Press reporter David Bauder cites several depressing statistics - like the fact that only 19 percent of "online

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-24713195713371774632010-03-15T08:50:00.000-07:002010-03-15T09:03:46.286-07:00

After losing more than $100 million in the last nine years, the owner of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin is calling it quits and looking for a buyer. Sort of.Categorized as an "asset sale," the request for bids is part of a legal agreement for Oahu Publications, which owns the Star-Bulletin. Oahu Publications is in the process of purchasing crosstown rival The Honolulu Advertiser, and this sale is

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-64686988832621763372010-03-08T14:58:00.001-08:002010-03-08T14:58:26.838-08:00

A federal judge has approved a bankruptcy reorganization plan presented by Denver-based Affiliated Media, Inc., clearing the way for the newspaper owner to emerge from chapter 11 protection within the next two weeks. The Hon. Kevin J. Carey of U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware confirmed the plan at a hearing Thursday. The plan reduces the firm's debt by about 81 percent, from

SoCal Media Guildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696173983620912022noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-42524056172782808972010-03-03T12:56:00.000-08:002010-03-03T13:01:46.098-08:00

According to the Associated Press, the stalemate over President Obama's "controversial" appointees to the National Labor Relations Board might be over soon.Labor Secretary Hilda Solis told AFL-CIO officials at their annual meeting Wednesday there will soon be positive news on the long-stalled nomination of union lawyer Craig Becker.Solis then told reporters the unions will be "very pleased" with

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-18499272749583968762010-02-22T12:14:00.001-08:002010-02-22T12:49:00.634-08:00

Despite negotiating a settlement with the company, we have learned that the recent failure to appoint the final three members of the National Labor Relations Board is having a HUGE impact across the country, as cases (including ours) cannot be addressed until a full board is convened.That's why we're asking you to help push for the final approval of the nominees for the Labor Board. There is no

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-26547984731397880482010-01-15T19:32:00.000-08:002010-01-15T23:27:38.653-08:00

MediaNews CEO Dean Singleton announced today that the company has entered into a debt restructuring agreement as part of Chapter 11 proceedings.Affiliated Media Inc., the holding company for MediaNews, will have their debt load reduced from $930 million to $165 million. According to the Wall Street Journal, the company's value has been estimated at $200 million.As part of the agreement, majority

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-71203715659314178532010-01-13T13:37:00.001-08:002010-01-13T15:30:26.712-08:00

Romanesko today has a link to an article from the American Spectator. It makes a lot of bold claims about newspapers and reporters. Few of them are true.Reviving the tired argument that newspapers have a "liberal bias," American Spectator senior editor Tom Bethell tries to put a new spin on the idea, citing union membership for the supposed leftist slant of U.S. newspapers. He doesn't try to

SoCal Media Guildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696173983620912022noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-5187298803983216462009-11-04T12:20:00.001-08:002009-11-04T14:34:04.287-08:00

They said they were going to do it, and now it's official. MediaNews Chairman Dean Singleton announced yesterday that the company would begin implementing a "pay wall" at two MediaNews Web sites. Initially, only the Chico Enterprise-Record and the York Daily Record will see portion of online content restricted to paying customers, but according to Editor & Publisher, the plan may spread to other

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-74872049403663593302009-10-23T11:28:00.000-07:002009-10-23T12:06:15.137-07:00

It's short notice, but we've just received information on an upcoming journalism conference, hosted by the California nonprofit First Amendment Coalition. The Free Speech Assembly will discuss "journalism, technology and public policy - explained and debated from the standpoint of freedom of speech and freedom of information."Saturday, October 24 is the date. The place is Southwestern Law

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-91358137966793312542009-09-28T16:26:00.000-07:002009-09-28T16:47:44.783-07:00

As newspaper fortunes decline, the banks that financed the ambition of chains like MediaNews will increasingly find themselves the new owners of media properties, said MediaNews CEO Dean Singleton in an interview with The Salt Lake Tribune."Whether by supervision of the courts or by negotiation to convert some debt to equity, America's banks will own a large position in the newspaper sector

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-13774706885647015752009-09-25T14:57:00.000-07:002009-09-25T14:58:07.112-07:00

Management of the Torrance Daily Breeze announced Friday that Managing Editor Toni Sciacqua has been named to fill the top editor position at the paper. Sciacqua has been filling the top position on an interim position since the departure of former editor and publisher Phillip Sanfield in August. The announcement was made by new Breeze and Long Beach Press-Telegram publisher Linda Lindus, who

SoCal Media Guildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696173983620912022noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-66180619900445147792009-09-25T14:53:00.000-07:002009-09-25T14:54:35.069-07:00

Dean Singleton, CEO of MediaNews Group which includes the nine newspapers of the Los Angeles Newspaper Group, said Thursday that MNG has decided to start charging for at least some online content on each of the MNG websites. The comments from the typically media-shy Singleton came in a short interview with the Salt Lake Tribune (another MNG outlet). LINK: http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=

SoCal Media Guildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696173983620912022noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-1222950388050822772009-09-21T07:16:00.000-07:002009-09-21T07:24:17.534-07:00

He's not familiar with the legislation yet, but President Barack Obama told the Toldeo Blade he'd "be happy to look at" bills like the Newspaper Revitalization Act."What I hope is that people start understanding if you're getting your newspaper over the Internet, that's not free and there's got to be a way to find a business model that supports that."

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-88100611172454080932009-09-14T11:40:00.000-07:002009-09-14T13:06:59.158-07:00

According to Alan Mutter, a recent survey shows 51% of newspaper publishers support fee-based online content. 49% are either unsure if the plan will work, or believe it will fail.

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-44065313251320578302009-09-14T06:32:00.000-07:002009-09-14T11:30:51.879-07:00

Confidence in the accuracy of the media is at a two-decade low, according the the Pew Research Center. Just 29% of Americans say that news organizations generally get the facts straight, while 63% say that news stories are often inaccurate. In the initial survey in this series about the news media's performance in 1985, 55% said news stories were accurate while 34% said they were inaccurate. That

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-66055922416482090282009-08-28T14:13:00.001-07:002009-08-28T14:23:28.040-07:00

We're hearing reports from members that company policy regarding expense vouchers has changed. We're investigating the situation, and we need your help. Have you experienced any difficulty filing expense vouchers? Let us know by either sending an email to scmg9400@gmail.com, or log on to our message board at http://lang9400.com/phpBB3/

SoCal Media Guildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696173983620912022noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-57128695628470035632009-08-06T14:34:00.000-07:002009-08-06T14:47:41.978-07:00

Guild members are invited to participate in a private online discussion of some possible developments from inside LANG. http://lang9400.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=6981For topics like this, registration is required in order to access the forum - so everything is completely private. If you haven't registered yet, stop by and check it out. It's fast, easy, and free.

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-80679565370446289262009-08-05T16:35:00.000-07:002009-08-05T16:56:57.488-07:00

The latest joint publisher for the Torrance Daily Breeze and Long Beach Press-Telegram was introduced today. Linda Lindus, 61, steps into the recently-vacated shoes of Mark Ficarra, who left for a position at the San Diego Union-Tribune. The post had been held by Breeze EiC Phillip Sanfield, who left the company last month.Lindus is currently the publisher of the Longview Daily News in Washington

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-41739162955150900892009-07-27T12:28:00.000-07:002009-07-27T14:31:28.383-07:00

Although controlling costs is undeniably a necessary part of managing a successful business, sometimes it's wiser to wield a scalpel, rather than an axe. This is something we've seen time and time again lately, as newsrooms across LANG and the rest of the country fall into the same herd mentality and reflexively slash newsroom staff every time revenue starts to droop.Unfortunately, as we and many

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-86576652974307242862009-07-22T14:29:00.000-07:002009-07-22T14:51:57.979-07:00

We're told that according to LANG management, Breeze EiC and interim publisher Philip Sanfield has left the company.That's all we have for the moment. We'll follow up as more info becomes available....According to Gary Scott (posting from the phone, so no link), Sanfield told staffers in a memo that he's leaving to join the Port of Los Angeles as Director of Media Relations.

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-8582008060100099242009-07-07T21:31:00.001-07:002009-07-10T22:12:17.685-07:00

The 2009 CWA Convention and Legislative-Political Conference adjourned last week, with several important resolutions. Guild rep and Vice President Vicki Di Paolo was good enough to share her take on what the conference means for working journalists facing the worst industry conditions in history, so here's a partial list of some of the issues CWA is tackling right now.The subject matter is a

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-83234074557656515622009-07-02T11:32:00.000-07:002009-07-02T15:20:07.825-07:00

Bankruptcy is imminent.That's the word from Michael Roberts, longtime MediaNews watcher for the alt-weekly Denver Westword.Unfortunately much or Roberts' evidence - a subscriber-only report with anonymous sources - can't be easily verified, so it's hard to determine the accuracy of these dire predictions. But the numbers Roberts cites are downright horrifying if they're correct.According to

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-21734642431618703652009-06-22T16:54:00.001-07:002009-06-22T16:55:20.890-07:00

The impending closure of the Press-Telegram's sole remaining circulation station has been postponed until further notice, according to MediaNews Group SVP Jim Janiga.The company notified the Guild on June 8 that due to a need for further operating expense cuts at the P-T, it planned to shutter the Signal Hill location by June 23 and perform the work out the Daily Breeze's circulation facility in

SoCal Media Guildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696173983620912022noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-26669049455039357892009-06-12T19:14:00.000-07:002009-06-12T19:15:02.723-07:00

Press-Telegram operations will be consolidated onto the 1st floor of the downtown Long Beach ARCO Tower Building by July 1 and the newspaper plans to vacate the building entirely by the end of 2009, according to P-T General Manager Joe Brenneman.Brenneman told employees Thursday that the company has hired an agent to look for property and the hope is to keep the paper in Long Beach, preferably

SoCal Media Guildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696173983620912022noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-28225203817924202752009-06-12T19:13:00.001-07:002009-06-12T19:13:42.020-07:00

Additional details of MediaNews Group's plans to shutter the Long Beach Press-Telegram's sole remaining circulation facility were presented to Guild members yesterday.The company, citing a need to further reduce operating expenses at the P-T, plans to close the Signal Hill facility by June 23 and move the work to the Torrance Daily Breeze. The MNG-owned Los Angeles Daily News circulation

SoCal Media Guildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696173983620912022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-62184023782026589612009-06-09T01:13:00.000-07:002009-06-09T01:14:04.532-07:00

MediaNews Group, citing a need to further reduce operating expenses at the Long Beach Press-Telegram, will shutter the P-T's sole remaining circulation facility and move the work to the Torrance Daily Breeze, according to a company notification to the Guild.The station, located in Signal Hill, now employs 10 P-T unit members. Each will have the option of taking a buyout or transferring to

SoCal Media Guildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696173983620912022noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-38035308417653519242009-05-20T13:39:00.001-07:002009-05-20T13:47:22.264-07:00

Just a reminder that July 19 is the date when the new vacation accrual cap goes into effect. That means bargaining unit members must reduce their accrued vacation hours to less than one year's total. After July 19, you will not accrue any vacation time if you have a year's worth of vacation or more on the books.If you are having trouble using your vacation hours, please contact Vicki Di Paolo at

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-11184892225831833532009-05-18T13:33:00.000-07:002009-05-18T14:22:18.406-07:00

Big changes are needed in order to save journalism from the ravages of the internet.That's the message presented by Bruce W. Sanford and Bruce D. Brown, in this piece for the Washington Post. The pair have come up with five ways to save newspapers.Some of their suggestions are well-intentioned, like a call to strengthen copyright law to prevent abuse from digital outlets. Unfortunately their

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-55349257149681295542009-05-15T16:01:00.001-07:002009-05-18T13:07:27.280-07:00

Amid the layoffs and cutbacks, MediaNews is still hiring - at least in West Covina. The San Gabriel Valley Tribune is looking for a Metro Reporter, according to this listing at JournalismJobs.comThe San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group seeks a Metro reporter who can produce enterprise stories in addition to strong daily coverage. Candidates should be comfortable covering city hall, but also able to

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-91386887859247452592009-05-04T07:14:00.000-07:002009-05-05T06:08:38.602-07:00

Are there any sacred cows left? Or have things gotten so bad that literally everything is negotiable? How much of tomorrow are you willing to surrender in order to preserve today?These are the sort of very real questions facing journalists across the country. Most recently, the Boston Newspaper Guild, which represents over 600 employees at the Boston Globe, has been forced to face some harsh

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-22457126864051805582009-04-23T18:51:00.000-07:002009-04-24T21:44:43.484-07:00

Are antitrust laws killing the newspaper industry? That's the argument media executives from made to congress this week, asking for an exemption to the laws regulating media consolidation, arguing that consolidation is the only way to preserve the industry's falling revenues.So far, the Justice Department isn't convinced. Carl Shapiro, Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Economics at the

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-59360350491357357602009-04-21T16:14:00.000-07:002009-04-21T16:45:31.383-07:00

MediaNews has informed the Guild that it intends to lay off five newsroom staffers at the Los Angeles Daily news by the end of the week as part of its declared need to reduce Daily News newsroom expenses by 15 percent. As reported yesterday to Guild members, the positions identified by the company include three metro reporters, one photographer and one graphic artist. The Guild has been

SoCal Media Guildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696173983620912022noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-43157405386822891822009-04-09T22:35:00.000-07:002009-04-11T17:37:25.803-07:00

Voice of San Diego, the nonprofit online news Web site, has been recognized by Investigative Reporters and Editors Inc., for their Redevelopment Investigations series.NPR's Alex Cohen calls it one of the "most prestigious national awards" in his her coverage of the award.

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-91327027275580900422009-04-07T10:54:00.000-07:002009-04-07T11:00:30.449-07:00

Three plus six equals oneIt's been confirmed that April 20 is LANG's D-Day for transferring copy editors of the Daily News, PT and Breeze to the universal copy desk at the San Gabriel Valley Tribune facility in West Covina. Daily Breeze EiC Phillip Sanfield sent out a memo on Monday informing Breeze and former-PT copy editors that Monday April 20, the day following Long Beach Grand Prix coverage,

SoCal Media Guildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696173983620912022noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-67040349288688463332009-04-06T15:39:00.000-07:002009-04-06T18:18:34.350-07:00

A member forwarded us the following memo from Press-Telegram executive city editor John Futch:Jody Collins, who has been a steady beacon on the Press-Telegram city desk, will be joining the consolidated production operation in San Gabriel in a few weeks. Jody has pulled us through so many tough evenings with her great skills and unflappable good humor and we'll miss that. On the other hand,

SoCal Media Guildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696173983620912022noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-1961360240352745342009-04-03T10:53:00.001-07:002009-04-03T10:53:29.260-07:00

MediaNews Group has reached a forbearance agreement with its lenders, according to a report in the New York Times. A forbearance agreement is where the debtor and the creditor both acknowledge there is a financial problem and arrange a payment schedule that will allow the debtor to make moves to regain its financial footing. While not specified in the NYT article, it should be noted that

SoCal Media Guildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696173983620912022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-50636207989738547742009-03-30T21:48:00.001-07:002009-04-06T12:41:02.275-07:00

Officials at the regional National Labor Relations Board have filed a Motion for Default Judgment against the Press-Telegram over our charges that the newspaper violated federal labor laws in March 2008 by moving P-T Guild members to the non-union Daily Breeze and laying off others.In filing the motion, the Region 21 counsel calls for the NLRB to find in favor of the Guild on all counts.The

SoCal Media Guildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696173983620912022noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-2601412881905709732009-03-25T00:44:00.001-07:002009-03-25T15:31:06.163-07:00

Since last year, we've been reporting on the rise in nonprofit news ventures. Now, one U.S. senator is trying to make that option a little easier.Senator Benjamin Cardin (D-Maryland), has introduced a bill to allow newspapers to restructure into nonprofit organizations.This effort, which currently has no co-sponsors, gives newspapers the option to "operate as nonprofits for educational purposes

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-26963380331571171122009-03-24T09:52:00.001-07:002009-03-24T10:19:59.590-07:00

The MediaNews Group-owned Denver Newspaper Agency, which provides non-newsroom services for the Denver Post, fired 40 people on Friday and is set to let another 160 people go in the coming weeks, according to the Denver Business Journal. The DNA, which was created to consolidate business services for the Denver Post and the Rocky Mountain News, had been expected to slash its staff following the

SoCal Media Guildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696173983620912022noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-90416504689329554032009-03-20T14:46:00.000-07:002009-03-20T16:16:53.260-07:00

News organizations are fond of defending free speech and the importance of keeping the public informed. MediaNews is no different - unless that news is about the company itself.In a move reminiscent of the MNG decision to cease filing financial reports with federal regulators, the company has asked Standard & Poor's to withdraw all credit ratings for the company.The request is presumably a

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-71951032593151963902009-03-19T13:09:00.000-07:002009-03-20T00:13:45.839-07:00

As if Dean Singleton does not have enough worries just finding enough advertising, now Standard & Poor's is on his back yet again. MediaNews has taken another hit at the hands of the credit agency, sinking further into the morass of junk status. This time he's not alone--the Orange County Register had their rating downgraded too. S&P cited steeply declining cash flow as a main reason for the

SoCal Media Guildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696173983620912022noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-17632166827658260692009-03-12T08:21:00.000-07:002009-03-12T15:10:23.902-07:00

I'm sure most of us remember seeing members from the other CWA units rallying beside us over the last two years. They were at nearly every event, carrying signs and helping out as much as possible. Now we have the chance to return the favor.The Verizon unit's contract will be up for negotiation soon, and it's shaping up to be a tough fight. The Verizon unit is holding a "Countdown to Negotiations

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-53348227758227969482009-03-10T08:19:00.000-07:002009-03-10T09:04:47.401-07:00

NoCal Guild votes Thursday (March 12) on contract changes that may keep the SF Chronicle publishing – California Media Workers GuildSacramento Bee cuts 11% of its staff, Modesto Bee staff agrees to wage reductions. Agreements made to stave off job cuts – McClatchy Bee BulletinRound-up of negotiations and news in Seattle – pnw.orgFinal days for the Seattle P-I? – The StrangerIs I-News old news?

SoCal Media Guildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696173983620912022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-26244585838958639502009-03-03T21:18:00.000-08:002009-03-03T21:34:31.414-08:00

A member asked us to share the following with everyone.How is it relevant you ask? We all talk in the newsroom and are convinced that the paper won't be around.Regina Combs at Poynter Online tells the story behind Final Edition, a somber look back at the loss of yet another civic institution. Although no one needs to be reminded just what's at stake, and just how badly things can get, it just

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-54997886277178269992009-03-03T13:08:00.000-08:002009-03-03T15:47:55.711-08:00

According to the Department of Labor, the recently-signed economic stimulus package has provisions that should be of interest to many Americans. Under the new rules, employees who are laid off between Sept. 1, 2008 and the end of 2009 will be eligible for subsidized medical coverage from the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) program. March is first month of the subsidy

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-68208756101273270492009-02-26T17:10:00.000-08:002009-02-26T17:11:59.280-08:00

E.W. Scripps said it will shutter the Pulitzer Prize-winning Rocky Mountain News on Friday, ending 150 years of continuous operation and adding more than 200 union newsroom staffers to the unemployment rolls.The move comes one day after union workers represented by the Denver Newspaper Guild reached a tentative agreement on wage and benefit concessions with a joint operating agency that publishes

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-45360871608603258682009-02-24T21:40:00.000-08:002009-02-24T22:07:50.760-08:00

We'd like to remind LANG employees that our employer, like many firms, has a company-wide policy in place restricting the use of company equipment to company business-related purposes only.This includes, but is not limited to: phone systems, work e-mail, Unisys chat messaging systems, and internet browser software. In at least one recent incident, our employer has disciplined a Guild member for

SoCal Media Guildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696173983620912022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-65654279328483749942009-02-24T17:27:00.001-08:002009-02-24T17:28:09.057-08:00

In a serious rebuke to the former Bush Administration's labor policies, California Rep. Hilda Solis was overwhelmingly confirmed today as U.S. Labor Secretary. Arguably a major turnaround for journalists and other working Americans, the decision came after Republican senators backed away from a threatened filibuster of Solis' nomination. Solis was confirmed today by a vote of 80-17.This is

SoCal Media Guildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696173983620912022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-34605538074709525502009-02-21T18:52:00.001-08:002009-02-22T10:46:53.929-08:00

Sorry for the lag in updates, this week has been crazy!Lots of news to report. We'd like to welcome Keith Higginbotham to the team. Keith is a former Press-Telegram writer and all around smart guy. He'll be working to help facilitate communications between the units, and coordinate our various projects, community outreach, and other activities. Keith and the rest of the team spent this week with

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-18010785620342689772009-02-17T12:31:00.000-08:002009-02-22T10:51:24.104-08:00

MediaNews' copy desk consolidation plan is in effect, and more papers are potentially scheduled to move operations to San Gabriel very soon. As plans for a universal desk move forward, our goal is to ensure that our members are heard, and that this transition is as effective and trouble-free as possible. To meet that goal, we need your input.We are reaching out to anyone on the copy desk, union

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-13985439443944230962009-02-16T20:09:00.000-08:002009-02-16T20:32:36.983-08:00

It looks like the first big city in southern California to go naked without a daily paper won’t be Los Angeles.So says noted L.A. writer and historian D.J. Waldie at Where We Are, a KCET blog focused on examining "LA’s twinned identities as urban and suburban," with deft and clear analysis.Waldie calls the decline of MediaNews a case of "self-cannibalism" - which gets the point across with

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-11081263491584742552009-02-06T12:44:00.000-08:002009-02-06T13:04:19.494-08:00

We met with the Press-Telegram yesterday to sign our recently ratified contract that includes, among other provisions, a one year protection against layoff and 2% annual wage increases. That's the good news.The not-so-good news, depending on one's perspective, is that a very intense discussion regarding the company's 5-day furlough mandate and its effects to the bargaining unit failed to produce

SoCal Media Guildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696173983620912022noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-68966521621812065012009-02-05T07:37:00.000-08:002009-02-05T07:56:19.391-08:00

We have received notice that, absent a settlement agreement between the Guild and the Long Beach Press-Telegram, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) will begin hearings April 13 on our charges against the P-T stemming from it's March 2008 implementation of a reduction in force and unilateral transfer or sub-contracting out of our work to the non-union Daily Breeze that affected eighteen

SoCal Media Guildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696173983620912022noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-59930279777165967312009-01-28T14:09:00.001-08:002009-01-28T14:15:19.580-08:00

We'd like to announce the launch of a new blog for the LADN unit, the Daily News[room]. As they begin negotiations, members of the DN bargaining unit will be able to keep up with everything related to Woodland Hills and our efforts there. Keep an eye on the DNr for more in the coming weeks...

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-27687917352543739462009-01-28T12:35:00.000-08:002009-01-31T21:23:35.754-08:00

*Headline changed per commentsMediaNews has just announced that non-union employees at all California properties will be required to take one-week unpaid furlough by the end of March, in order to lower expenses. Managers will have to take two weeks unpaid leave within the same period.The company is interested in implementing furloughs for their union employees but such a move has to be negotiated

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-88233159411257182092009-01-26T09:19:00.000-08:002009-01-26T19:46:56.922-08:00

We were notified by members in the circulation department that they were informed that eight district advisors will be laid off, effective February 23. (The ratified contract provides a one-year moratorium on editorial layoffs.)There are two District Manager positions available at the non-union Daily Breeze in Torrance and the laid off employees may apply for transfer to those open positions.Our

SoCal Media Guildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696173983620912022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-51811285030430900232009-01-20T17:44:00.000-08:002009-01-20T21:36:19.751-08:00

Well, it's official. The bargaining unit approved the contract proposal with a unanimous vote that brought out an overwhelming majority of bargaining unit members.We'll have more information later, but for now, thanks to everyone for participating, and their patience in getting to this point.Guild member Pamela Hale-Burns turns in her ballot to rep Vicki Di Paolo for the contract ratification at

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-22712305402268767092009-01-19T13:48:00.000-08:002009-01-19T22:29:00.357-08:00

Just a reminder - the contract ratification vote is tomorrow, Jan. 20, at the following locations:- Motz Station - 6:00 AM - 7:30 AM Tuesday January 20- Signal Parkway Station - 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM Tuesday January 20- 300 Oceangate - 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Tuesday January 20 - 15th floorWe've gotten a few questions regarding the contract. An email with clarifications and more more detailed information

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-16067072681835384542009-01-16T16:11:00.000-08:002009-01-16T19:44:46.241-08:00

We know many of you have been waiting eagerly for news about the litigation we filed against the company after last March's layoffs and copy editor/designer transfers to the Daily Breeze. Well, here it is: The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has determined that its investigation into two of our charges found sufficient merit to go to a full hearing unless the company comes to a settlement

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-86578889561463590302009-01-15T18:15:00.000-08:002009-01-15T19:03:59.921-08:00

After almost two years, it's finally over.Our bargaining team announced today that a tentative agreement has been reached in negotiations with MediaNews' Press-Telegram, and all that's left now is for members to review and approve the plan.The proposed contract calls for a 2/2/2 wage increase (two percent at ratification, and subsequent annual raises of another two percent), and perhaps most

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-69859312132000857842009-01-12T21:00:00.000-08:002009-01-12T21:24:40.141-08:00

Sorry for the delay folks, but here's some pics from the farewell party for Scott, Joe, and Brenda last week at the Daily Grill. Even though it's nice to see everyone together, and we're grateful for the reminder that good people aren't diminished by bad times, posting pictures and stories about layoffs is getting pretty exhausting. When you reflect on just how much the newsroom has changed in

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-80686972445209015062009-01-12T07:08:00.000-08:002009-01-12T08:33:28.015-08:00

BALTIMORE – CWA media unions met last weekend to study industry restructuring and discuss opportunities to build our power during this time of great turmoil. The event brought together leaders from the Newspaper Guild, The National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians, and the Printing, Publishing and Media Workers Sector, all sectors of the Communications Workers of America.Check

SoCal Media Guildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696173983620912022noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-22472429880987917002009-01-09T09:08:00.000-08:002009-01-09T09:20:49.144-08:00

The continued dismantling of Long Beach's paper of record should concern every member of our community. We are witnessing the destruction of a civic institution that has served the people of Long Beach for over a century, and now the reporting of community events that are important to readers is in jeopardy.The Press-Telegram's newsroom staff has been reduced from 101 in 2003 to 26 in 2008 and

SoCal Media Guildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696173983620912022noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-78493254660329456312009-01-08T20:19:00.000-08:002009-01-08T20:26:43.388-08:00

The District Weekly has an article on our layoffs.So does LBReport.com, including a statement from Guild Rep Vicki Di Paolo.LBPost.com has the story too.

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-21138017239133621652009-01-08T13:00:00.000-08:002009-01-08T18:56:02.801-08:00

We're saddened to report that the company's latest round of Press-Telegram layoffs have eliminated Joe Dickson, Scott Smeltzer, and Brenda Duran.Joe Dickson was a longtime LANG employee. As an online content producer, he worked at several different LANG papers over the years. I personally worked with Joe during my time at the P-T, and I know just how talented, dedicated, and hardworking he is.

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-86999494119441581262009-01-07T18:10:00.000-08:002009-01-07T19:41:44.109-08:00

More bad news...Correspondence received today from the company informs us that layoffs are indeed planned for LANG, effective tomorrow. According to an email sent by Guild rep Vicki Di Paolo, ten employees have been targeted, eight bargaining unit members and two managers.I'm sorry to report that we received correspondence from the company today, notifying us that there will be additional layoffs

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-88613071835105088292009-01-02T16:35:00.000-08:002009-01-02T17:15:20.565-08:00

The rumors about copy desk layoffs appear to be true.Announcements have been made in multiple newsrooms today that a plan to merge all LANG copy desks into a central desk at the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, is tentatively scheduled for February or March and 2008 LANG-offered buyout options will remain in effect: one week of pay per year of service up to six years plus three months COBRA and a

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-54711121678889202972009-01-01T13:56:00.000-08:002009-01-01T13:59:50.126-08:00

This might not be obvious, but there are a lot of things to be optimistic about right now. At least, according to this editorial from the New York Times.While they're not specifically talking about journalism, the author has a point.Even before the economy bottomed out, our industry was under siege. Politically this has been one of the worst periods for middle-class workers, including journalists

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-16570511912060135682009-01-01T11:56:00.000-08:002009-01-01T12:11:59.075-08:00

A Message from Bernie Lunzer, President, The Newspaper Guild of the Communications Workers of America:A Time of ChangeThe Newspaper Guild was founded in a similar time of change – the early and mid-1930s. It was a time of desperation and unemployment. Good journalism was not a priority. Newspapers, however, were still the dominant channel for information distribution. Guilds developed all over

SoCal Media Guildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696173983620912022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-29446481950729255622009-01-01T04:41:00.000-08:002009-01-01T05:07:28.518-08:00

This report by the Lake County News documents the numbers behind MediaNews' recent announcement that funds-matching will be suspended for the indefinite future.We're getting similar accounts from groups across the country, so the move appears to be company-wide, although that remains speculation at this point.But assuming that the plan affects all MediaNews properties without contractual language

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-32448868126499990262008-12-29T13:35:00.000-08:002008-12-29T13:48:26.521-08:00

As reported by Gary Scott, MediaNews Senior VP of Human Relations announced that the company is suspending their fund-matching program for employee 401(K) investments.But all is not lost. From Janiga's email to Guild rep Vicki Di Paolo:Based on the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement in effect for the Daily News and the status quo position of the collective bargaining agreement at

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-13040399078657467122008-12-22T14:07:00.000-08:002008-12-22T15:37:06.650-08:00

We found a link last weekend on Gary Scott's blog to this story from the Rocky Mountain News:The Denver Newspaper Agency has issued an ultimatum to its six unions: Agree to $20 million in wage and benefit concessions by Jan. 16 or face even worse consequences.The unions have asked to see the company's books, but so far no details have been released.It's finally come to this. Driven to satisfy

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-36827055874219368782008-12-16T12:38:00.000-08:002008-12-16T18:58:18.263-08:00

So the Detroit Media Partnership has finally decided that constant incremental cuts is a losing proposition.According to media blogger Ken Doctor's Content Bridges blog, Detroit Media CEO David Hunke reportedly called the current model "unsustainable.""And [Detroit Media Partnership CEO David] Hunke said, if we don't do this, the current model is unsustainable. So he'd rather take the calculated

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-51931032972399178542008-12-15T17:36:00.001-08:002008-12-15T21:41:30.019-08:00

Our newspapers are listening to what readers want and we would expect there to be a continued extension of content, particularly online, as well as continued expansion of video, rich databases of local information and other content that is first and foremost useful to our audiences.- Dean Singleton, 61st World Newspaper Congress, 2008. (BusinessWeek.com)What a difference a few short months can

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-27275143489085428752008-12-11T15:11:00.000-08:002008-12-11T15:51:48.777-08:00

Moody's Investors Service has down-graded MediaNews because it "faces a heightened risk of near-term default ...." under Moody's definitions. From E&P:Moody's said it calculates Denver-based MediaNews Group's leverage ratio as more than 8 times debt to EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization). When Tribune sought bankruptcy refuge earlier this week, it was widely

SoCal Media Guildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696173983620912022noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-12008570274044112402008-12-11T10:14:00.000-08:002008-12-11T10:21:07.437-08:00

Well, at least not any time soon. During a series of outtakes from interviews for a feature story on the up-for-sale Scripps-owned Rocky Mountain News for Westward, a Denver-based alternative owned by Village Voice Media, MN boss Singleton said:"We are doing pre-press work in India and have been doing it for more than two years -- and it's worked very well. We've explored outsourcing copy editing

Contributorsnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-46599156154972110592008-12-05T16:06:00.001-08:002008-12-05T17:19:07.061-08:00

In a matter of days, disputed rumors over layoffs at the Los Angeles Daily News have suddenly become sickeningly real.An anonymous DN staffer described the details in an email:Longtime prep sportswriter Gerry Gittleson, 11-year film critic Glenn Whipp and reporter Justino Aguila, who was a fairly recent hire, all got the hatchet. And Antelope Valley reporter Karen Maeshiro recently stepped down

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-725140744837266652008-12-02T18:24:00.000-08:002008-12-03T12:30:31.682-08:00

One of our loyal readers passed along an interesting piece of news from the Palm Beach Post today. According to blogger Bob Norman, management at the paper is freezing all management salaries, and giving regular employees a 2% raise."It is important for you to know that executives at PBNI will not receive pay increases during 2009," Franklin wrote. "This decision is reflective of the need to

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-24033514538850553032008-12-02T18:13:00.000-08:002008-12-02T20:32:11.394-08:00

Rumors have been circulating regarding impending layoffs at the Daily News. Guild Rep Vicki Di Paolo has spent the last week tracking down the facts, and here's what she sent out to the membership:In response to several inquiries about rumors of more lay offs at the Daily News, after one week, two email communications and a phone call Jim Janiga (Sen. VP of Human Resources) responded via email

Len Cutlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10571753955066734353noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5427525852300454056.post-50471180490912812302008-11-20T12:55:00.000-08:002008-11-20T13:55:56.305-08:00

No movement was made at our bargaining session yesterday with the company. We again proposed the company's outsourcing language be shelved for 12 months. And again, the company resisted the proposal - ironically enough, by insisting they want to "negotiate a full contract now" that includes the ultimate flexibility to outsource — even offshore — all our jobs.Our editor, Rich Archbold, said at

SoCal Media Guildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01696173983620912022noreply@blogger.com31