Providence Newspaper Guild - Guild Leader June 14, 2000

150 MARCH ON FOUNTAIN STREET;
CIRCULATION WORKERS, BARGAINING TEAM CHEERED

A hot, festive crowd of 150 gathered in front of the Journal Building last Friday to back the drive of circulation workers to join the Guild, and to boost efforts of the union in contract negotiations with the newspaper.

The rally was energized by members and leaders of other unions in the state – the demonstration was part of a national AFL-CIO campaign to “Protect Our Voice@Work.”

For an hour, Guild members and those of the other unions marched on the sidewalk in front of the newspaper building, carried huge banners, chanted and held signs.

The demonstration comes as a two-week period of mail-ballot voting is underway by more than 100 outside circulation delivery service representatives who have petitioned to join the Guild.

The National Labor Relations Board is running the election, with the ballots to be counted June 27 at the labor board’s regional offices in Boston.At the same time, the Guild is pressing for successful conclusion of contract negotiations for the 500 reporters, ad salespersons, janitors, clerks, photographers, artists and others already represented by the union.

Contract negotiations began in October, with talks last held on May 3.

Last week’s hour-long rally followed on the heels of a week-long byline strike, and precedes plans for implementation of a work-to-rule program.

Meanwhile, the union is moving forward with plans to place direct economic pressure on the company, efforts that will be helped by the other Rhode Island unions.

Some of key representatives at the Guild rally included George H. Nee, secretary-treasurer of the state AFL-CIO and state Rep. Paul E. Moura, who is the national AFL’s state director in Rhode Island.

Also here were Paul A. MacDonald, president of the Providence Central Labor Council, Marcia Reback,president of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals, Stan Israel, vice president of the New England Health Care Employees Union, District 1199 SEIU, Rick Brook, director of United Nurses and Health Professionals, Joseph R. Peckham, business agent, Council 94, American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, members of Jobs with Justice, Stuart B. Mundy, secretary-treasurer, and Jeremiah O’Connor, business agent, of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 251, and many more.

Larry Berman, Rhode Island spokesman for U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy, brought a letter from the congressman that supported the Guild’s effort.

“The financial success that the Providence Journal Co. has reaped over the years is due in large part of the hard work, dedication and excellence of the Guild members,” Kennedy wrote.

“I have met Belo chairman Robert Decherd in Dallas and in Washington, and I would be happy to speak with him in the future to urge him to treat its Providence Newspaper Guild members with respect and to bring a successful conclusion to these negotiations,” he said.