GR EXTRA!

New York Times announces more layoffs

26 Feb 2009

New York Guild

LAYOFFS HIT ADVERTISING  DEPARTMENT
The Guild has been advised that The Times is  conducting a layoff in the Advertising Department.  A total of 19 Guild-represented  employees are affected, as well as an unspecified number of nonunion  people.
The Times is citing the continued economic slump  that has severely impacted advertising sales as the reason for the  cutbacks.
The Guild is closely monitoring the situation to  ensure that management follows the terms of the contract in carrying out the  layoff, and we stand ready to challenge any company decision that violates the  correct procedures.
The Guild has scheduled a meeting for this  afternoon for affected employees to discuss their rights and  entitlements.  It will take place at  1 p.m. at Guild headquarters, which is located at 1501 Broadway (between  43rd and 44th Streets) in Room 708 on the 7th  Floor.   If you are an affected  employee and have already spoken with a Guild representative, it is not  necessary to attend, however feel free to come if you wish.

UPDATE ON NEWSROOM LAYOFF  LITIGATION
As you may recall, the Guild has challenged the  layoffs that The Times carried out in the Newsroom last summer.  We strongly believe that the company  violated the contract.  The Guild  currently has three arbitration proceedings pending.  One case has already commenced and  arbitrators have been assigned for the other two, which are expected to begin in  the near future.
As we reported at the time (http://www.nyguild.org/NYTimesNews/080523utimes.htm) , the Guild believes that the process used  by The Times to determine who would be laid off was fundamentally flawed and  could not have resulted in a fair process.  
In addition, The Times violated the rehire rights  of several laid-off individuals by hiring new employees in the same or similar  position(s) held by those who were let go.  We are vigorously enforcing those individuals’ rights. Recently, there have been some settlement  discussions between the Guild and The Times regarding the Newsroom layoff.  If they don’t bear fruit, the  arbitration cases will proceed promptly.