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51: April/May 2007Credit union to move near Burnham Credit union to move near BurnhamThe Journal Credit Union plans to leave its downtown location in September for a new home near the Journal Sentinel’s Burnham St. printing plant in West Milwaukee. Like other Journal Communications employees, many Milwaukee Newspaper Guild members have used the credit union’s services for mortgages, car loans, stock loans, and savings and checking accounts. The credit union’s location on the second floor of the 918 N. 4th St. building — what many of us still think of as the former Sentinel building — has been a convenient site for us. But the credit union is seeking to grow beyond its primary clientele of Journal Communications employees and retirees. It has obtained a “community charter,” which allows it to serve anyone in the five-county area, regardless of whether they have any connection with this company. The credit union staff thinks the new location will be more visible and help it attract more members. No decision has been reached on what kind of presence, if any, the credit union will keep downtown, aside from its ATM in the State St. lobby. Guild leaders plan to contact credit union officers to encourage them to maintain key services for the credit union's many longtime members in the Journal Sentinel newsroom, JS Online, MKE and other downtown operations. Although the credit union is not part of Journal Sentinel Inc., its departure follows a trend of cutbacks in quality-of-life services for employees. Over the years, the company has eliminated the nurse’s office, stopped cashing paychecks for employees, ended night and weekend hours for the cafeteria, and dropped the First Responder program. 8 staff members take home Press Club awardsIt was another good year for Journal Sentinel staffers in the Milwaukee Press Club’s annual contest. Eight staff members picked up four first-place and three second-place awards, including one three-person team that shared two awards. For the third time in four years, the Guild paid entry fees for members who requested it, after the company's decision to stop competing in the statewide contest. This year, the Guild paid for 20 entries by 14 Guild members, almost half of whom won something. Other staffers entered at their expense. First-place awards went to metro reporters Greg Borowski and Tom Heinen, photographer Jack Orton and the MKE graphics team of Tuc Krueger, Christine Taylor and Kathy Bryja, with second-place awards for metro reporter Georgia Pabst, real estate editor Joanne Cleaver and the MKE trio. Take a closer look at Guild dues, political campaigns
But for some journalists, the constant barrage of phone calls, e-mails and mailings not only irritates us but puts us in an ethical dilemma. I’ve known journalists so concerned about not appearing to be objective that they won’t vote. Though I think that’s a bit extreme, I understand the sentiment. So what does this mean for dues-paying members of the Guild and its parent organization, the Communication Workers of America? First, let me assure you — none of the dues sent to TNG/CWA go to political campaigns. TNG Secretary-Treasurer Bernie Lunzer said CWA had previously directed a small amount of funds to political purposes but never directly to political campaigns. Under CWA President Larry Cohen, no dues go to political purposes. With strong emphasis on organizing more locals, Cohen thinks the money is better spent for that purpose, Lunzer said. However, people who want to direct money to CWA for political purposes can, Lunzer said. Political action is a key philosophy of CWA, and participation is encouraged. But, Lunzer said, it’s up to the individual to contribute or participate. For more information, go to www.cwa-union.org. But you’re not necessarily insulated from receiving political mailings from CWA, Lunzer said. CWA districts do encourage political involvement on issues thought to be important to labor unions. They use donated money to advance those causes. That means you might get some information in the mail on these issues. If you don’t want that information, you can request to be removed from mailings, Lunzer said. To stop them, Lunzer suggests you indicate in an e-mail that you wish to be removed from the political mailing list. Send e-mails to CWA District 4 Vice President Seth Rosen at srosen@cwa-union.org. CWA District 4 oversees Wisconsin CWA and TNG locals. Hopefully, this makes everyone more comfortable with the political process and union affiliation. If you have any questions, please contact me. Guild helps locked-out workers at Toledo BladeThe Executive Board recently approved a $200 contribution to help workers at The Toledo Blade Co., who have been locked out during a grinding labor dispute. The 215 workers have been locked out since August. In December, the National Labor Relations Board handed down a number of complaints against The Toledo Blade because of its tactics in the lockout. The company broke off talks in February, and no new negotiations have been scheduled. Because of the lockout’s duration, unemployment and health benefits have run out, and the Toledo Guild asked members across the country to help workers pay for health care. Guild wishes Spangler wellJim Spangler, a Journal Sentinel vice president and longtime chief negotiator for the company in negotiations with the Guild, retired April 15. “The Guild didn’t always agree with Jim, but we always kept our disagreements professional and our conduct civil,” Jennie Tunkieicz, Guild president, said. “It really was a pleasure to work with him, and we wish him well.” Scott Zantow, director of employee relations, will succeed Spangler at the negotiating table. For day-to-day contract enforcement issues, the Guild will work with Cindy Wargula in human resources. |
