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May 4, 2009
ACTIONS
There are two events the Guild has plannedfor this week in response to last week'slayoffs: 1) An information session and mini- job fair will be held WEDNESDAY, MAY6 at St. Ignatius Church and 2) a Receptionfor all employees laid-off in the past severalweeks --- 61 from the newsroom --- onTHURSDAY, MAY 7 at 6 p.m. at CentreStage. More about that later in this bulletin.Guild leaders met with Sun managementThursday to express displeasure over lastweek's gutting of the staff, including 40newsroom union positions lost and 21 merit jobs. We don't think it is an overstatement tocall those two days last week among theworst in the Sun's history. Many journalistsgave the better part of their lives working toput this paper out, and their dismissals werehandled callously.We want you to know the Guild is exploringlegal and contractual remedies. We willclosely monitor who handles the work previously done by our laid off members,especially when it comes to the decimatedcopy desk and vastly reduced photographydepartment. Management told us The Sun isflattening The Sun hierarchy and"eliminating much of the work." Whenpressed, Ann Barnes, director of laborrelations, said, "I can't address every singlearea."Guild leaders told The Sun that we feel themassive layoffs have more to do withTribune's debt than the Sun's own financialsituation. Sun management maintained thatthe problems are industry-wide, and not justabout debt payments. The newsroom is nowin the mid 140s in personnel, down frommore than 400 people about 10 years ago.Guild leaders are talking individually withmembers this week to field questions anddiscuss actions we're looking to take.The Guild is also seeking to learn moreabout the newsroom reorganization planunveiled on Thursday and wants moreinformation about the job classifications thatare part of that plan. The Sun is working onour information requests and should have aresponse soon.
RECEPTION
The Guild will have a reception on
Thursday, May 7 from 6 p.m. until 10p.m.
at Center Stage to honor those whohave served at the Sun (both Guild andbosses). Most were let go with little if anyfanfare last week. We'll have light fare anddrinks, and we all will tell stories and enjoyeach other's company one more time. Pleasespread the word about this event, as wewould like as many current staffers andalumni as possible to attend. Come andenjoy the fellowship and wish your co-workers good luck on their new endeavors.We will be in one of the rehearsal rooms at
Center Stage, in the 600 block of CalvertStreet.
 
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