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http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003053740
Toledo's 'Blade' Locks Out Three More Unions
By E&P Staff

Published: August 27, 2006 8:15 PM ET updated 8:45 PM

NEW YORK Management at The Blade in Toledo told workers from three more unions -- representing mailers, drivers and printers -- on Sunday not to come back until they agree on a contract.

"The company said it locked out the drivers who take the papers to drop-off points, workers who process some advertisements, and employees who assemble the paper and its inserts to try to ratchet up the pressure on the unions to bargain and to reach a settlement," the newspaper reports on its Web site on Sunday.

The number locked out Sunday in the ongoing dispute was about 200 employees -- dramatically hiking the total of locked out workers to almost 220. Only two unions are left in the building. There are about 500 fulltime workers at the paper.

Blade spokesperson Luann Sharp told local TV station WTOL, "It's kind of a last ditch effort here. We need to get it done. I don't know how else we can strongly send the message. It's urgent we get this done."

Union spokesperson Larry Vellequette told the station, "It's a very ugly strategy in Toledo. Toledo has a high union density. Everybody that has a job that cares about what they do ought to cancel their Blade."

The union said it turned in 500 subscription cancellations over the weekend, WTOL revealed, and they have also asked for an ad boycott.

"We have been trying to negotiate for more than six months, and basically have been stalled at every turn," said Sharp, in the Blade's account.

"We have opened our books -- in May and again this month -- and the union leaders know what challenges we are facing. We need to get back to the bargaining table and find a way to get agreements.

"I hope our employees realize our sense of urgency to get this dispute behind us so we can start fixing what's broken. Delay works against all of us."

No negotiating sessions are scheduled.

The Blade report continued: "The employees barred from their work will be replaced by temporary workers and will be entitled to return to their jobs once an agreement is signed, Ms. Sharp said.

"The moves have not disrupted production of the paper, she said.

"Expected to report to work, Ms. Sharp said, are members of the Toledo Newspaper Guild and a Graphics Communication local of pressmen. The Guild represents reporters, photographers, copy editors, advertising sales people, and circulation workers, and the Graphic Communication union represents people who run the machines that print the newspaper.

"The company, owned by Block Communications Inc., has been financially struggling and wants wage cuts, higher employee contributions to health care premiums, and work rule changes that would save money and could increase revenues.

"Union leaders said they have offered significant concessions on wages and agreed to share more in health care costs. However, they contend that the company proposal is asking for too much and that proposed work rule changes would allow the firm to outsource jobs and thus diminish union job-security protections."

E&P Staff