MEDIATION BEGINS

The Guild and BNA met with Federal Mediator Jean Kolb on Tuesday evening, May 24, in an effort to resolve outstanding differences. No proposals were exchanged and no progress was made, aside from an airing of the open issues and the parties’ respective positions. The Guild and BNA have agreed to meet again with the Federal Mediator on June 6, the mediator’s next open date. The Guild hopes for a meaningful and productive session, which will finally settle the contract and recognize the huge contribution of BNA’s employees to BNA’s prosperity.

Guild members met on May 24 to discuss next steps, and reach decisions on further actions to influence BNA to move from their bargaining position, including a mere 1.5% general increase in the first year of the contract for 60% of BNA unit members. The membership endorsed a media campaign to inform the industry and public regarding the BNA's refusal to share a fair portion of its profits with its employees. Members expressed their outrage at the company's refusal to move from its paltry April 18th wage proposal, even after the Guild in good faith proposed the changes the company demanded on several of its "pillar issues".

The membership also accepted the support of the AFL-CIO in implementation of a Circulation Suspension Pledge Campaign. In the campaign, which begins on Tuesday, the AFL-CIO, the Communications Workers Of America, and the Guild will ask International Unions, State Federations, Central Labor Councils, and the advocacy community to send the Guild signed notices to BNA to cancel their subscription to BNA products. The cancellation notices will submitted by the Guild--after a unit vote and approval by the Local-only if needed to achieve a fair contract.

Over the last few weeks, BNA employees have received support for a fair contract from BNA retirees, who have learned of the stalled bargaining. In addition, Communications Workers of America President Morty Bahr and Newspaper Guild President Linda Foley wrote to Paul Wojkic and Bill Beltz urging a fair settlement without the need for further escalation.

Following BNA's May 11th distribution of a Wall Street Journal editorial which defamed AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Rich Trumka, Foley wrote to BNA's Board of Directors calling for their efforts to urge management to settle this contract and "repair the damage" BNA is doing to its relationship with its labor union clients. Foley said, "that kind of personal attack by any management would be considered unprofessional and unproductive to good labor relations. In the case of BNA, it is also bad business relations. Launching a personal attack on the secretary-treasure of one of your largest clients, it seems to me, shows a lack of respect for the labor movement in general. I wouldn't think that impression was one that BNA would want to leave."

DID YOU KNOW?

"BNA's financial performance continued to improve in 2000's first quarter. Revenues, operating profit, net income, and earnings per share all registered solid growth compared to 1999's first quarter results." (Report to Shareholders, April 17, 2000)
Consolidated revenues were $62.8 million in the first quarter 2000--up 4.0% excluding the financial results of BNA Communications, which was sold last year.
Operating expenses were up 2.1%.
Net income was $4.2 million for the first quarter, a 15.1% increase over 1999.
Earnings per share soared by 18.2%, to $0.52.
BNA Guild unit members hold 30% of the company's Class A shares.

Washington-Baltimore Newspaper Guild
Local 32035 The Newspaper Guild
Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO