Friday, March 06, 2009
48 comments:
Jim says: "Proceed with caution; this is a free-for-all comment zone. I try to correct or clarify incorrect information. But I can't catch everything. Please keep your posts focused on Gannett and media-related subjects. Note that I occasionally review comments in advance, to reject inappropriate ones. And I ignore hostile posters, and recommend you do, too."
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Hah! First again! And it's not snowing!
ReplyDeleteA march 27th walkout? be very careful with this one.What would really happen.Some will say I'm going to do it,but show up anyway just to say,look at me!
ReplyDeleteThe suggested March 27 walkout seems like a dangerous project. What would one do? Call in sick? Just not show up? The snakes at Gannett might have retribution for these scenarios. In these times, if one calls out sick can the company require a doctor note? And since everyone is certain that Gannett reads this blog very carefully, they would be aware and might take steps to protect their sleezy interests. Those who are still employed would not want to jeopardize their livelihood(s).
ReplyDeleteThere is no FREAKING way I am going to risk my job in this economy w/ a walkout. Are you crazy? There are only, oh, I don't know, about a million unemployed journalists out there with our EXACT skill sets just waiting to come back to work. Sorry to blow the Norma Rae moment, and I know your hearts are all in the right place, but it ain't going to happen. If the outside economy weren't so dire, I might be able to channel my solidarity a bit more readily. It's the sad reality - clinging desperately to jobs that are sliding away.
ReplyDeleteOh, and now I have to work even if I wake up with pneumonia on March 27 because no one would believe me.
I think we should all say we're going to walk out on the 27th, but then really do it on the 25th. That'll fuck 'em up!
ReplyDeleteSolllidarity foreeeeeverr!
I would agree with 8:44,Having seen what this corp.will do.Even if you think you are right,and it seems like a good idea,and it does in a way.Don't risk your jobs!they will fire you,not at once.But you can bet your bottom stock that they will have a hit list!
ReplyDeleteReally folks, not a great idea, as this just gives them an excuse to put you on the top of the list for the next layoffs. And they will. Gannett management holds grudges forever.
ReplyDeleteSomewhere, Jimmy Hoffa is spinning in his grave...
ReplyDeleteA walkout NOT GOOD,and don't try to flush the toilets all at one time ether,especially at APP.Could get messy.
ReplyDeleteBelieve me,I can understand the frustration,but a walkout is not a good idea.NJ papers are in bad shape,and so are all the others!shurley there must be a better way.It also depends on what you are trying to say to corporate.Trouble is this is a very vindictive corporation.And you can only get so much help from your supervisors and dept.heads.It seems they are stuck in the middle,do they served there conscious or there pay check.I don't think that I would have made a good supervisor in this corp.
ReplyDeleteGrow the F@#$ UP!
ReplyDeleteYou have jobs. Be grateful. I don't.
10:30 Why not,what happend?
ReplyDeleteTo 10:30 I don't have a job either,and you all by now know my story with Gannett,did you get laid off?-EG
ReplyDeleteHey - what's going on with the finance depts? Anymore peeps let go due to the consolidation?
ReplyDeleteCan't understand why there are so many totally useless people being kept around in non-news departments. For example, there are far too many people in the advertising department considering the dramatic slowdown in classified and retail ad sales. Yet, in our paper there are "administrative" types and so-called managers who just keep on keeping on. Does not make any sense. Not talking about the sales folk on the street (although a singificant portion of them couldn't give away bread to starving people). This must be coming down from Gannett thinking that sales will be made if all of these people are kept around. In our paper we have one person who is supposed to be selling to a specific "target market" but hasn't done squat in years and isn't doing anything now. I figre that they could delete about $1m in overhead by cleaning house. Are there more reductions coming? You can bet the ranch and you will do so. They can't continue to bleed like this.
ReplyDeleteal colantoni and rich morena to the rescue !!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteNo matter how you spin it, youse guys are still th eones known for taking a shit on the floor and leaving it there. I am not sure which is worse. How about you all walk out on the 27th and just keep walking. Solidarity forever youse guys!
ReplyDeleteYou guys with the 27th walkout are just looking for a 3 day weekend.
ReplyDeleteOr to collect unemployment
ReplyDeleteHi. I'm a former APP staffer and I have to say I take much joy in its demise. I loved my job and enjoyed my 13-plus years working there, but the last year or so my co-workers were a bunch of cowards and phonies. I filed a complaint with corporate about the hostile work environment that I felt Bobby Collins and Skippy Hidlay created. They launched a “full-scale investigation,’’ vowing that if what I accused was in any way true that the situation would be handled and dealt with. They brought in Dolores Pinto from Wilmington, asked for (and were given) a list of names of people who I felt would corroborate my claims. They also randomly interviewed others in the newsroom.
ReplyDeleteIn the end, they chose not to speak to a single former employee and, other than one woman, the people that still worked there all claimed there were either no problems or that the problems that did exist were very minor. After the investigation I was suspended (undoubtedly with the hope that I would quit), and then terminated before that suspension ended.
I love the blog because I totally understand Jim's passion. I had 13 years of positive work reviews and felt fortunate to earn a living doing something I loved. Yet, when I was fired only two co-workers even called to see how I was doing and say they were sorry for what happened. This leads me to think that any big talk about a walkout would be hard to believe.
By the way, I took the APP to worker’s compensation court and received $8,300 in a settlement. When I get the motivation will also be filing a wrongful termination suit in Newark. My EEOC complaint was rejected, but I have a year to file the lawsuit in Newark. I’m looking forward to seeing the “fun bunch’’ of Kathi A., Skippy and Delores again in court. :)
Chris - I know there have been several lawsuits and worker complaints filed against the APP that went nowhere. At least two women there filed sexual harassment complaints that were ultimately buried.
ReplyDeleteI can't see a walk-out being a good idea. The employees who remain at the NJ papers have absolutely no leverage at all. You'd be accomplishing nothing and perhaps just accelerating the inevitable closure of at least the smaller papers.
1:21 the lawsuits go nowhere because they where you down not because the paper is right. It's like fighting a forrest fire with a water pistol. But I will fight until I can't. I HATE bullies and Skippy and Bobby are classic bullies and the people that enabled them should be held accountable.
ReplyDeleteChris I know exactly what you are talking about.I went through the same thing,and some too are still ongoing.I felt terrible when I was fired,felt like no one cared,then or now.I was put,by Skip,on suspension,when I asked for how long,THEY SAID INDEFINITLY.Without pay.This made for a real tuff time for me and my kids.Only after about 3 weeks did they fire me.I was hurt for a long time when my fellow workers did not speak up either,it would have made the hearings go better.When I finally got to go to one, Skip and Kathy were with a APP attorney.Boy did I feel intimidated,and I guess it showed.So I hope that things work out for you.EG
ReplyDeleteI wonder if a class action suit would do anything?
ReplyDeleteChris you got a full scale investigation?,no one higher then Bob Collins ever even talked with me,nor did anyone higher then Bob ever ask what happend!EG
ReplyDelete"NEW JERSEY PAPERS ROCK"
ReplyDeleteI'm using yesterdays page as #1 in my first off Broadway play!
ReplyDeleteHey "New Jersey Rocks", the sky is falling!!!
ReplyDeleteSO is our stock
ReplyDeleteAPP circulation, start looking for work. PCF is a lot closer than you think!!! Thank your senior vp for that!!!
ReplyDeleteRegarding the walkout idea-- I am very sorry to have to disagree. I well remember the lack of participation back in December when everyone was going to wear black. I took it seriously, went to K-Mart for an entrirely new black wardrobe with flare. I bought a flowing chiffon black dress and black shoes and black unmentionables. The entire cost was $22.87 and it was totally wasted! When I showed up at the CN in my elegant funeral attire, I was the only one dressed all in black-- with the exception of our beloved assistant editor dude who always wears black anyway....or was he on vacation that day? Hortense has a very difficult time with memory these days.
ReplyDeleteSo..... I believe the idea will not work, but hope that the creative geniuses in NJ can think of something more revolting. Wait! How about we all show up in our birthday suits??? It would generally not be a pleasant sight, but it would keep focus on the winter of our discontent.
A March 27th walkout at all NJ papers? NEVER WILL HAPPEN! The newsroom types don't have the backbone to do it! They'd rather grip anonymously, take dumps on the bathroom floors and never will they stand up away from the shadows, out in the light for all to see.
ReplyDeleteP.C.F. is on the way to take your jobs in circulation dept. at the APP .You will be thrown to the street .So pack your crap up and be ready for your sendoff.
ReplyDeleteHey 7:05, what makes you think they'll be a send off??? It'll be more like app pulling the staff by the nose and kicking them in the pants out the door!!!
ReplyDelete11:13, you and EG have something in common. HR hired off-duty cops, armed and in uniform, to guard entry to the building right after both of you were dismissed.
ReplyDeleteI've always found it curious that both of you have replied to me -- convincingly -- that you never made any kind of threat to anyone.
So, I find it curious that the company had such an apparent overreaction. It seems too costly and too well conspired among top management to be for no reason, yet, let's face it, if I told my boss someone threatened my life, would the company bring in armed police to guard the building for a couple of weeks? ROTFLMFAO
And then someone unknown came in a back door and caused the whole building to be evacuated for an hour while the bomb squad nosed around the building, to no avail.
I can't help but wonder if this was in anticipation of lawsuits from you two, to lead other workers to believe your issues are baseless, you're off balance and to intimidate workers from talking back to management in any way.
I know it seems like I might be overanalyzing, but I just can't picture a scenario that would make those two episodes of armed, uniformed police protection pass the smell test.
Unless management reveals facts to the contrary, I have to believe both of you have valid issues and were treated unfairly. And the police protection may constitute defamation. Ahem.
E.G... How much you looking for $$$
ReplyDeleteTo 8:25 I will not go into to much detail,because I think Jim is right,and I don't want to make him do any more work then he has to.
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is Thank you.
I believe that I was always a good employee,not tacking sick time,I've given back vacation days,and always did the best that I could. I can hole heartedly say,that since I worked for the APP,I have bin blackmailed.Yes blackmailed,by my old boss Rick H.does anyone remember when he was fired,they wont tell you that they made me do an 8 month investigation into what was going on in the Print Shop.They made me do almost all of the investigation,bet no one knew that!look it up.They taught me how to find things reel good.They said that I gave them good enough proof,that they could go into the prosecuting attorney of Monmouth County,and drop the case on his desk(yes it was that big)!I had done my job well they said,but it took them over a year to say thank you.Fact was they were embarrassed to admit that this long haired guy found out something that was going on right under there noses.They know that what I say is true,and I got the written proof.So I did this for them,but when they did something to myself and my coworkers.Well don't you think that by this time I would know how to keep notes,get tangible evidence (pics)and get as much info as I could THIS IS MY BODY AND I CONSIDER WHAT THEY DID TO BE AN ASALT ON BOTH ME AND MY COWORKERS.They know that I'm right and I know that I'm right.But they are bigger then me,and can threaten those that know I'm right.And I wish that there was someone that could help all of us.
How much would you look for I lost my kids,my health,my car,my house,and now can I ask the APP for a good job reference? NO,so what would it be worth to you?
ReplyDeleteOK whates going on here Jim are you reading what I rote befor you post?
ReplyDeleteHello!
ReplyDeleteIs your site down?
ReplyDeleteI think E.G. is looking for his lungs if I remember correctly. $$$$ is only a consolation prize.
ReplyDeleteDown for the count!
ReplyDeleteTo 8:49 I will try one more time to answer you,I lost my health,kids,house, car,guitars,almost everything else that I owned.Now I have just what will fit into the one room that my brother and my sister in law let me use.And most of all after almost 18 years of devoted service,I cant even use last job as a reference,what do they say? I don't know,but I would she like to hear it.So what would all this be worth to you,and to the people that don't believe I should post here,I say I was once a good Gannett worker,look at my file in HR.I have nothing to hide!now I am 50 years old and cant work.GOT ANY SUGESTIONS?
ReplyDeleteThis must be a TKO
ReplyDeleteFor those of you who don't know EG, I want to tell you that he was an excellent employee, hard-working, reliable, and willing to do anything it took to help out a co-worker. I am sorry this has happened to him. I would happily give him a refernce for any job he applies for.
ReplyDeleteAPP home delivery personnel---start packing-notices to all will roll out April 1st. PCF comin to town for the final takeover on May 1st. Just look around at the other properties-you know it WILL happen.Jump while youhave the choice!
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