Tyree not walking away after demands rejected

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Posted by chicagomedia.org on September 16, 2009 at 09:05:42:

In Reply to: Rosenthal: At Sun-Times, Guild's 'no' vote is all that matters posted by Bud on September 16, 2009 at 09:04:56:

September 16, 2009

BY CHRIS FUSCO Staff Reporter

Unionized Chicago Sun-Times newsroom workers voted 83-22 Tuesday to reject management's demand that they take deep compensation cuts and work-rule changes so the bankrupt company can be sold to a Chicago investment group led by businessman Jim Tyree.

Earlier in the day, some 600-plus union employees throughout the Sun-Times Media Group had been told that anything less than full acceptance would force the buyer "to withdraw its bid to purchase our company's assets."

But, after being told of the vote, Tyree said his group isn't walking away -- yet.

"I've promised I will keep open this proposal until Sept. 29th, and I'm certainly willing to do that -- but I do not want to get into a negotiation," Tyree said. "I recognize from the bottom of my heart that what's being asked of here goes at a lot of people's core values.

"I'm sorry about that. But in my mind there is no other way. There's no room to negotiate work rules or compensation or pensions because I'm planning on our [investor] group losing money for a good long time."

Multiple Sun-Times workers said they want to at least be able to look Tyree in the eye and discuss the concessions. Their vote followed a similar one Monday night by workers at the Post-Tribune of Northwest Indiana -- another Sun-Times Media paper -- who rejected the concessions proposal 17-1. Pioneer Press and Lake County News-Sun workers will take up the issue today, with union staff at the Herald News in Joliet to do the same Thursday.

The Chicago Newspaper Guild Sun-Times Unit motion that was approved states "that the union is willing to bargain with the company on provisions that would help the company survive, but is not willing to give up all the rights of our members."

"This was not a vote against Tyree or his bid," Guild executive director Tom Thibeault said. "This is a vote that puts into place that people want to save the Sun-Times, but that they also want to sit at the table and work out the details."

(Chicago Sun-Times)

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: Tyree not walking away after demands rejected : September 16, 2009 : BY CHRIS FUSCO Staff Reporter : Unionized Chicago Sun-Times newsroom workers voted 83-22 Tuesday to reject management's demand that they take deep compensation cuts and work-rule changes so the bankrupt company can be sold to a Chicago investment group led by businessman Jim Tyree. : Earlier in the day, some 600-plus union employees throughout the Sun-Times Media Group had been told that anything less than full acceptance would force the buyer "to withdraw its bid to purchase our company's assets." : But, after being told of the vote, Tyree said his group isn't walking away -- yet. : "I've promised I will keep open this proposal until Sept. 29th, and I'm certainly willing to do that -- but I do not want to get into a negotiation," Tyree said. "I recognize from the bottom of my heart that what's being asked of here goes at a lot of people's core values. : "I'm sorry about that. But in my mind there is no other way. There's no room to negotiate work rules or compensation or pensions because I'm planning on our [investor] group losing money for a good long time." : Multiple Sun-Times workers said they want to at least be able to look Tyree in the eye and discuss the concessions. Their vote followed a similar one Monday night by workers at the Post-Tribune of Northwest Indiana -- another Sun-Times Media paper -- who rejected the concessions proposal 17-1. Pioneer Press and Lake County News-Sun workers will take up the issue today, with union staff at the Herald News in Joliet to do the same Thursday. : The Chicago Newspaper Guild Sun-Times Unit motion that was approved states "that the union is willing to bargain with the company on provisions that would help the company survive, but is not willing to give up all the rights of our members." : "This was not a vote against Tyree or his bid," Guild executive director Tom Thibeault said. "This is a vote that puts into place that people want to save the Sun-Times, but that they also want to sit at the table and work out the details." : (Chicago Sun-Times)

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