GET SERIOUS

Hundreds of Guild members appealed to Sun Publisher Denise Palmer for a serious, respectful approach to bargaining a new contract.

Unfortunately management missed the point. For hardworking and loyal employees, the company's opening proposal is deeply disappointing. For all who imagined Tribune could be counted on to treat us fairly, this insulting list of give-backs and takeaways is an eloquent argument for a strong union.

Among the lowlights: An end to job security, with management asking for the right to transfer anybody, anytime, to any lower-paying job. A preposterous divide-and-conquer plan to split the Guild in two. A 3 percent pay cut in the form of an end to company contributions to 401K. No wage offer at all, unless you count a promised 12-month freeze.

We notice that the word "Tribune" - which appears by corporate decree on wire stories and business cards - is nowhere to be seen in the company's proposal. Were the Chicago bosses embarrassed to be associated with it? Or did the debacle at American Airlines make them shy about asking workers for give backs while collecting hefty bonuses?

Fortunately it's still early. But we need to make clear our eagerness to reach a fair deal and turn our full attention back to newspaper work. We can do that by wearing Guild buttons, using break time to watch bargaining, and telling supervisors our views. Here's another idea: Send a personal note by home e-mail or mail to Denise Palmer (denise.palmer@baltsun.com), offering your polite but forthright opinion of the company's proposal. Sign it (or explain why you fear retaliation if you do). Please try to get the note off by Friday (5/9), and send a copy to the Guild office at guildsun@verizon.net or 415 St. Paul Place, Baltimore 21202. If every Guild member takes a few minutes to send a note, it may persuade company negotiators to get serious.

Remember, if we all speak up, our voices will be heard - from Baltimore to Chicago and back.

- Scott Shane, for the Bulletin Committee