GUILD DELAYS BOYCOTT VOTE,
CITES PROJO BUYOUT EFFECTS

Company Response to Anthrax Alert Prompts Latex Allergy Warning The Guild is warning employees that the latex gloves issued by the company to protect employees handling mail could cause a severe allergic reaction in some individuals. Latex allergies have become increasingly common among workers where exposure is frequent, such as those in the health-care industry. Allergic reactions can range from mild nasal congestion and eczema to asthma and even anaphylactic shock. The company distributed the latex gloves in an effort to ease employee concerns about handling mail, which could be contaminated with anthrax. Anthrax has been detected in the mail at several media offices.

The Guild executive board today voted to postpone a membership vote on a circulation boycott until early next year.

The board's decision came because of concern about the impact of the buyout that has been offered by the Journal to senior staff members.

A secret ballot referendum had between scheduled for next Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 23 & 24.

But following conversations with bargaining unit members throughout the newspaper, Guild officials decided that the impact of the buyout should be absorbed before holding the vote.

The Guild believes that 79 members of the 500-member union are eligible for the buyout, in which the company pays up to 18 months' pay to workers 55-years and older if they leave the paper.

Board members, as well as rank and file, expressed concern about the impact of retiring members voting on an issue that will have serious implications after they leave.

The board resolution, approved unanimously at a special meeting this noon, states:

"In light of membership concern about the potential effects of the company's buyout offer, the executive board postpones the boycott authorization vote until early next year.''

The referendum would not have called for the imposition of a consumer boycott, but instead have given the executive board the authority to begin it at a later date.

The same vote will now be scheduled for early in 2002.

By then, the number of people who are leaving the company -- and the Guild -- will be clear, board members felt.

The composition of the executive board will be settled as well. Several of the 11-member executive board are eligible for the buyout, and at least one, Brian Jones, has said he expects to take it.

A special election will be needed to fill Jones's and other vacancies.

The executive board's decision came on the same day that the company distributed buyout packages to Guild members.