Providence Newspaper Guild - Guild Leader August 29, 2003

GUILD LEADER

Vol XIV, Issue 19

TNG/CWA Local 31041

August 29, 2003

DO GUILD MEMBERS DESERVE A FAIR CONTRACT? PRIDE AUTO GROUP SAYS:
ABSOLUTELY!!!

Clearly, the Journal is not using that money (the Journal's annual advertising rate increases) to benefit or take care of their employees.''
-- AL ANJOS
Pride Auto Group

Read the entire letter from Anjos to Journal publisher Howard Sutton

Please thank him:
Web contact form
Al Anjos
Pride Auto Group
11 Taunton Avenue
Seekonk MA 02771
Phone: (508) 336-3580
Fax: (508) 336-4972

Pride Auto Group has become the latest major Journal advertiser to urge company management to drop its self-destructive bargaining tactics and offer Guild members a fair contract.

In an Aug 25 letter to Publisher Howard Sutton, Pride Auto Group President Al Anjos warned ``the labor war going on at the Journal is causing harm not only to your employees but also to the Journal itself.''

The well-known southeastern New England car dealer noted that his Journal advertising rates -- but not Journal employee paychecks -- have been going up over the past several years.

``Where is all that money going?'' Anjos wrote. ``Clearly, the Journal is not using that money to benefit or take care of their employees.''

Anjos noted that respected and well-treated employees are the foundation a thriving business is built on, and he suggested the Journal ponder that idea in its labor relations.

``As a businessman myself, I go to great lengths to take good care of my employees because I understand how important they are to a successful business,'' he said. ``Employees must be respected, happy, and healthy in order for them to be productive and to care about the organization that employs them.''

The Guild welcomed Anjos' help.

``Successful New England businesses like Pride get it that when you treat your employees with respect, you get better effort,'' Guild President John Hill said. ``Belo may talk the employee-relations talk, but Pride walks the walk.''

Anjos is the second major advertiser to contact Sutton this week and urge the Journal to go back to the bargaining table with a fair offer for the Guild. On Tuesday, Peter Cardi of Cardi's Furniture called Sutton to make a similar request.

Cardi's call came after Guild members leafleted the company's stores in West Warwick and Swansea. Anjos' letter, however, came after the Guild simply wrote him about our contract troubles. There are no plans to leaflet Pride's dealerships.

The Guild is continuing to reach out to Journal advertisers to explore with them ways they might be able to help us get a decent contract.