Los Angeles Times Pressmen Protest Cuts
Ed Fuentes
Los Angeles TImes pressman unions protested at the Times Monday morning.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Labor unions and the Los Angeles Times have been around the block a few times, and today the pressmen added one more loop as they gathered at 1st and Spring for a rally and one lap around the Times building.
The Los Angeles Times pressmen and women, who work out of the Times' Olympic Facility, protested the upcoming April layoff of 63 employees and what labor leaders are calling union-busting tactics.
Unlike many marches, a bargaining agreement forbid the The Graphic Communication Conference of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters from carrying signs outside the building. They were joined by other teamsters and members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
The chants protested anti-union treatment alleged to have been taking place since a collective bargaining agreement was signed on December 8, 2008.
Among the marchers was pressmen and blogger Ed Padgett, whose LA Times Pressmens 20 Year Club blog provides updates on changes at the Olympic facility.
Ronnie Pineda on February 26, 2009, at 03:47AM – #1
On behalf of the members of GCC/IBT Local 140-N, I'd like to thank blogdowntown for the coverage of our Rally. CityNews failed to get the time of our Rally correct and many news outlets were confused. Calls were received by me asking if the Rally was at 11:00 or 1:00. It obviously was at 11:00 am.
The television coverage we sought was missed due to their error and the impact it could have on resolving our disputes with management. For that reason we thank you for the coverage and hope that anyone who reads this and also supports workplace equality and fairness, contact Los Angeles Times Publisher, Eddy Hartenstein and let him know that you disapprove of the anti-union treatment of his employees and demand that it cease.
We have helped this company profit in good times and now that times are bad, and getting worse, we no longer are viewed as colleagues, and the employees are supposed to own the place. At what point does this company lose its employees ownership protections, not long from now because all the employees will soon be gone.
Thanks from the members of 140-N to all who came to our Rally to support our effort to put an end to anti-union treatment from our employer. We look forward to joining our brothers and sisters when we're called upon for our support.
Solidarity should be a disease!
President Ronnie Pineda GCC/IBT Local 140-N
Lyle J. Myles on October 09, 2011, at 04:58AM – #2
I wish that my Union Brothers would have told me that they were going to do a march at the LOS ANGELES TIMES as I am a former employee of the L.A.TIMES.
It seems that if You do something that they don't like they give you the boot and I speak from experience on that matter,but enough of that.
Cutting another 63 Press Persons will not break these people it will just make them want it all that much more;I know I was one of them and I believe that if YOU ARE A TEAMSTER AND PROUD OF IT you should stand up for YOUR RIGHTS.
This next line should be the motto of LOCAL 140-N and all other UNIONS when they do Battle so to speak with their companies.
( A QUOTE FROM JOHN PAUL JONES) I have not begun to FIGHT. TEAMSTER and PROUD