Taken from an e-activist alert that North East Area Labor Council sent out today:
Below is a statement from the Lake Superior News Guild regarding the irresponsible behavior of the fat cats at Forum Communications.
Please take action by emailing the Duluth News Tribune Management. Tell them to exhaust all alternatives prior to laying off additional News Tribune employees.
Who: Lake Superior News Guild and supporters
What: Informational Picket
When:Thursday, February 25, noon to one
Where: Duluth News Tribune, 424 W. 1st Street
From the News Guild:
"Since 2008, when the Duluth News Tribune employed 225 people, Forum has reduced the paper's work force by more than one-third. The newsroom has been especially hard-hit, shedding 27 of the 60 positions it staffed in 2008 -- a 45 percent reduction.
"On Feb. 12, the News Tribune launched another round of layoffs, cutting one reporting position and another job in circulation. We're not sure if additional layoffs are around the corner.
"The Lake Superior Newspaper Guild offered to work with the company to provide contract concessions if the company would agree to make no further staff cuts for a period of time. Our members were willing to consider modifying their existing contract to provide Forum with the savings it sought, plus additional money, in return for a job-preservation pledge. But the company refused to work with the union and has instead again resorted to layoffs.
"On Thursday, Feb. 25, we will conduct an informational picket in front of the Duluth News Tribune to protest continued staff reductions at the newspaper and to call on the company to work with its largest union to minimize future cuts, especially when other less destructive alternatives are available."
Join the News Guild for their informational picket on Thursday, February 25th from noon-1:00pm at 424 W. 1st St in Duluth. And make sure to contact Forum management and tell them to work with the News Guild.