Spin and the Teamsters' Case
FDS submitted this as a comment but I think it's worth a post -- read the articles, they are interesting to say the least.
Another salvo today, Aug. 15th.
copy and paste the URLs (NOTE:I made links below)
Teamsters file grievances:
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002986821
Huff & Puff, the spin flak, denies it all, and this time obviously wrote up their excuses instead of repeating the paranoid rant of the Editorialist like last time.
http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20060815006108&newsLang=en
This most detailed part in the N-P explanation obviously is about Camie Cohee charged with refusing to work when she really just did not want to insert the unsubstantiated political allegations that Travisty wanted in the never-published article. The more these Huff missives rant about stuff, naturally the more suspect they are for truthiness.
posted by Sara De la Guerra | 8/15/2006 10:31:00 PM
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27 Comments:
Here is the beginning of the News-Press own coverage of this bland article (August 16) that merely repeats what already was published late the prior day.
Very weird, or sad, that the view of the Teamsters is stated only by repeating the other publication called Editor and Publisher. So did Vladdy not know to interview anybody from the Teamsters, or did they just decline to talk to him?
********
Union files complaint accusing News-Press of unfair labor practices
VLADIMIR KOGAN, NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
August 16, 2006 12:00 AM
The union working to organize Santa Barbara News-Press employees has accused the paper of "coercive and intimidating treatment of staff members," Editor & Publisher reported Tuesday. In a filing with the National Labor Relations Board, the Graphic Communications Conference of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters has charged the paper with unfair labor practices, the trade publication reported.
The complaint alleges that the paper intimidated a reporter with a "baseless disciplinary interview," changed reporters' beat assignments "without following customary procedure" and engaged in "illegal surveillance," E&P reported.
In addition, the filing argues that the paper's updated conflict-of-interest policy, distributed to staff last week, is designed to stifle criticism of the paper and the unionization drive. The updated policy requires staff members to receive permission before publishing on the Internet or appearing on discussion panels, two methods newsroom employees have used to make their grievances against the paper public.
So the new N-P "confidentiality"policy "requires staff members to receive permission before publishing on the Internet or appearing on discussion panels ..." (As reported, Vlad, by our flip-flop wearing cub reporter.)
Makes me wonder: does that mean Tr ... er ... Nelville will stop posting here? Of course not.
And I hope that none of the newsroom people who post here will stop. It's an insane rule made by desperate people. Keep it up, guys. I will. Just remember: post at home. The Wendynator will surely start (if she hasn't already) sifting web traffic looking for posters.
Can anybody give me an idea where this is all going? I mean, what is even possible regarding changing the NP and it's coverage, (i.e., saying goodbye to Mr. Armstrong) or will it just continue on its merry way without us as subscribers?
Requesting opinions...
the union hearing tomorrow and the todd injunction yesterday have both been delayed, according to the SB Daily Sound
forum.santabarbarafree.com
I think (NOT!) Sara De La Guerra should reveal "her" identity as "Nelville" argued she should under a different subject, but he (Nelville) still should remain a pseudonym.
Then within the week, a Cease & Desist, restraining order, SLAPP suit, or something else soon would be targeted at the host of Blogabarbara, just like they did to all the current and former News-Press employees.
Say, did anyone read the Santa Maria Times about the continuation of the restraining order against Michael Todd? Sure didn't appear in the NP, did it?
http://www.santamariatimes.com/articles/2006/08/16/news/centralcoast/news05.txt
The hands of the NP are getting heavier and heavier. Thanks FDS, for providing the information! dd
The Observer:
I don't mind too much giving you free publicity everyday on an off-topic subject....but maybe you could give us a paragraph of your profiles? I'd appreciate a little more....and it would give people a tease that might get them to your blog too. Thanks.
Letter to Ed. in journal Editor & Publisher:
On SPJ's Awards for the Santa Barbara Journalists
I think SPJ did the right thing in giving these awards. I was a reporter, editor, or columnist for more than 45 years, including 26 years at The Washington Post and have written eight books, one of them on reporting. I have lived in the Santa Barbara area since 1990 and closely followed the developments at the Santa Barbara News-Press. There are at least two sides to every story, but the fact that the publisher of the newspaper has declined to answer the specific ethical violations of which she is accused and has instead attacked the people who have resigned suggests she doesn't have a case.
It took considerable courage for these people to do what they did, for they are not men and women of means. Your coverage of the controversy is appreciated. ...
Lou Cannon
Summerland, Calif.
E&P Staff (letters@editorandpublisher.com)
I can tell you that the reference in the News-Press news release is not to Camilla Cohee but is rather to another reporter.
Spotted in the News-Press parking lot: Wendy McCaw HERSELF photographing employees' vehicles. Specifically any pro-union bumper stickers and/or references to savethenewspress.com.
that is funny.
may she's the new photograher for the news press.
do they have anyone left?.
Someone should put one of those stickers on her car.
A senior manager of a large company once said to me, "If you have a union, you deserved one."
Mike Pinto says... the teamsters have left the side of the masses long ago. They are shake down artists who's target happens to be the workers and not management. Samuel Gompers would cry today. He fought for workers higher wages and pensions not with political action but with direct action. Strikes,boycotts were the standard of the day. Not giving campaign donations to weak kneed politicians that have never heard the sound of a strike whistle.Unions today look after their bottomline not that of the worker.
Mike - I'm amazed! I agree with you... dd :-)
Someone tell me why workers wouldn't want to unionize? Why wouldn't they want:
A pension
More job security
A free legal defense team
I'm not being flip. Just someone tell me, because I don't understand why having those things is bad.
I'm sorry, there's no better way to say this, but McCaw is a rotten white trash bitch who has ruined the paper and, worse, has needlessly disrupted the lives of the hard working professionals she's run out. The empoyees have to unionize to have any defense against this wealthy tyrant. So I don't see why anyone would be anti-union in this case. I'm all ears, though.
Ed. I. Torial and the Travisties sing:
http://www.esnips.com/web/guildedtruthsOtherStuff
Just write Witch with a B, as I have heard before.
OPEN LETTER TO WENDY FROM A MEDIA PRO
Dear Wendy: When I saw this release (below with my comments in CAPS), I could not stay silent any longer. As a professional who deals with the media every day, I personally know journalistic principles have been violated by management, contrary to what Ms. Huff states in her release.
Don Murphy said, "You may own the News Press, but you don't own the news." True statement. You ought to meditate on that one. Just because you own the business, does not mean you can bend the news to your whims and interests. That's what advertising is for. Remember there are editorial AND advertising departments to handle whatever message you or your advertisers want to put out.
Along with distortion of facts, there are grammar mistakes in Ms. Huff’s release. Wendy, you are not getting your money’s worth
Personally, for me, there is nothing more wonderful than waking up with a nice cup of coffee and the local newspaper. Under Jerry Roberts, the NP was getting better and better. Not only in its coverage but its layout and design. But, Wendy, now the paper has become so thin, I finish reading it before I finish my coffee.
All you have in this life is your integrity - they can take away your money, your home, your family, but they can't take away your integrity. In the mess of all this confrontation, I am sorry to say the News Press has lost its integrity for me. I do hope you or another owner can bring the paper back to the glory it once enjoyed. Thomas M. Storke must be turning over in his grave!
Regards,
A Seasoned but Sad Media Pro
Santa Barbara News-Press Refutes Union Propaganda
SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 10, 2006--The management of The Santa Barbara News-Press issued the following statement:
After repeated strong-arm attempts to unionize the Santa Barbara News-Press without going through the NLRB process, union leaders today conceded defeat and filed a petition with the NLRB. These ugly tactics, known as a "corporate campaign," attempted to force the paper into accepting a union without an election. Tactics included personal attacks against management and the owner of the paper, encouraging the public to cancel subscriptions and advertising through the "yellow card" boycott, and continuing to spread lies and misrepresentations about working conditions at the paper.
THE "YELLOW CARD" TACTIC IS TAKING HOLD. I WILL WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT AUDIT BUREAU OF CIRCULATION REPORT (ABC) IS OUT AND WHAT IT HAS TO SAY ABOUT THE SBNP CIRCULATION NUMBERS. THEY DON'T LIE.
"As I've stated before, union representation would not be in the best interests of our employees, the paper or this community, but I respect our employees' rights to make their own decisions," said Wendy McCaw, Santa Barbara News-Press owner and co-publisher. "The filing of a petition is simply the initiation of the NLRB process and we will cooperate fully with them," she added.
The employees who resigned have been replaced and won't be a part of this process. Some of those who resigned were under investigation for employee misconduct.
WHAT, LIKE MICHAEL TODD MAKING A SARCASTIC JOKE TO ANA FUENTES AND HER TAKING IT WAS TOO SERIOUSLY? C'MON THAT'S NEWSROOM HUMOR AND YOU’D KNOW THAT IF YOU’D EVER WALKED INSIDE A NEWS ROOM YOURSELF.
We reject the charges about a breach of journalistic integrity and meddling on the part of management. This is merely a smokescreen and cover-up to hide personal agendas and vendettas.
YOU CAN REJECT IT, BUT IT WILL STILL BE A CHARGE YOU WILL HAVE TO ANSWER AND THERE SEEMS TO BE STRONG DISAGREEMENT WITH YOUR POSITION. YOU SEEM TO HAVE THOSE QUALITIES CORNERED – YOU WITH THE PERSONAL AGENDA AND ARMSTRONG HIS VENDETTAS AND DOWNRIGHT NASTY EDITORIALS.
"The real cover-up is how these people have been hiding behind these issues," said Mrs. McCaw. "Our paper's journalistic standards have been in place for more than 100 years and will continue to be as long as I own this newspaper," she added.
HOW COME YOU ARE REFERRED TO AS MRS. MCCAW WHEN ALL THE REST OF US DIVORCEES ARE DUBBED MS.? BUT I DIGRESS, AS I SEE IT MANAGEMENT IS HIDING, NOT THE STAFF. WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN WHEN THE VARIOUS FORUMS AND COMMUNITY GATHERINGS WERE HELD??? ON YOUR YACHT, ON VACATION AND UNAVAILABLE FOR COMMENT IS WHERE YOU WERE. ANY PUBLISHER, HELL ANY BUSINESS OWNER, WORTH THEIR SALT WOULD STICK AROUND TO SEE WHAT DEVELOPS WHEN THERE IS INNER TURMOIL. IT IS IN THEIR BEST INTEREST. YOU MIGHT WANT TO REVISIT YOUR PRIORITIES.
The News-Press also rejects any allegations that the community is not supportive or that there are subscription cancellations. The paper has received hundred of letters, phone calls and e-mails of support. Subscriptions are up and advertising is strong. Clearly, the Teamsters' "yellow card" boycott is a complete failure.
I AM VERY DUBIOUS ABOUT YOUR PERCEPTION OF THE COMMUNITY. IT'S NOT THE SAME ONE I'M HEARING FROM IN TERMS OF SUPPORT. MOST ARE WITHDRAWING SUBSCRIPTIONS AND ADVERTISING UNTIL THEY SEE WHAT HAPPENS. THE "YELLOW CARD" TACTIC IS TAKING HOLD. I WILL WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT ABC IS OUT (AUDIT BUREAU OF CIRCULATION) AND WHAT IT HAS TO SAY ABOUT THE SBNP CIRCULATION NUMBERS. THEY DON'T LIE.
Mrs. McCaw continued, "The only tragedy here is that a number of employees have been misled by a few. The vast majority of our employees is (SHOULD BE ARE) happy and has (SHOULD BE HAVE) chosen to remain with the paper. Many of our employees are angry at the Teamsters' attempts to denigrate and injure the paper.
"Further attempts at Teamster extortion will not be tolerated. We are fully committed to protecting the livelihoods of our loyal News-Press employees. The paper will continue to publish daily, long after this campaign is a distant memory."
YEAH, RIGHT, BLAME IT ON THE UNIONIZATION. UNIONS CAN BE SEEN IN NEGATIVE LIGHT AND HAVE BEEN. HOWEVER, IN YOUR CASE, THE STAFF NEEDS PROTECTION FROM YOU AND YOUR WHIMS.
WENDY, THERE ARE INTEGRITY AND ETHICS ISSUES AT HAND HERE, AND YOU CAN VIEW THEM CLEARLY IF YOU JUST STEP BACK THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS AND LEAVE YOUR PRIVATE WONDERLAND, YOUR IVORY TOWER. YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED!
Mike Pinto say...
Because the union only cares about themselves not the worker. Too much goes to union dues and not enough to higher wages and pensions. The unions suck the worker dry. Workers are better off facing down management in cadres rather than unions.Selective distruction and disruption should be the direct action taken.
To dd: Caaaareful . . . if you don't watch it, you and Mike together may be collectively coordinating the destruction of assets. This admiration thing seems to be carrying you down a slippery slope.
To Goleta Girl -
I routinely disagree with almost everything Mike Pinto says.
My comment to Mike Pinto was mostly tongue in cheek, but I do tend to agree with him that unions have lost the clout they once had. dd
I too, who 'never' agree with Mike find myself in total agreement about union thugs. The AFL-CIO and such now only employ professional union people to run the unions, not workers or former workers who've worked their way into the union ranks.
Look at the County's SEIU as an example. They were an independent union who got nowhere with the County, then affiliated themselves with the National union to get better bargaining power, only to be sold out by the union professionals who line their own pockets at the worker's expense.
Plenty more examples here locally, let alone nationally, but you get the idea.
I've had my pockets emptied by the unions too. They're doing no one except themselves any favors.
If you hurry you can find the August 20 and August 18 blogs (and comments) on Goleta and Starshine on the Google cached page of this site. Why were they pulled? A threat from the SBNP?
Not sure what you are talking about....perhaps you went to this page directly instead of the whole blog? Those posts are there and have not been pulled.
Sara,
It's pretty amazing that you readily post Jimmy John's trashy talk and links to his hateful rampages, yet you warn against posts that call Janet Wolf out for being a developer's puppet.
You are right -- guilty as charged. I made a mistake on that one and pulled it the other day. Good blogs are self-policing and you are welcome to question my choices anytime (although I won't let a thread go on and on about it if it isn't productive) -- you'll notice that most of the time, I'll come around. It's part of what you get with blogging....and what is good about it. A newspaper makes a mistake and you might get a small correction that the original readers may or may not see -- here, it's out there for everyone to see and people can make up their minds and have their own opinions from there.
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