Chronicle Pressmen receive strong support from labor community

The Hearst/Chronicle proposals submitted to the various Chronicle unions whose contracts expired on July 1, 2005 include provisions for the Chronicle to dramatically reduce wages, outsource work, eliminate each union’s jurisdiction by allowing non-union employees to do union work side by side with union members, and create a two tier condition for wages and benefits. Despite the outrageous demands, the unions all agreed to enter into bargaining.

But, according to representatives of Local 4N, the Hearst Corporation is refusing to bargain in good faith. Their unwillingness to engage in serious discussion with union representatives brought the issue to the streets where many members of the bay area’s labor community showed their support.