Page 8. Whitby Free Press, Wednesday, November 23, 1994 whimtby business Times strike continues Publisher has 'concem about future' By Mike Kowalski Union and management nego- tiators were scheduled to meet Tuesday in an attempt to end a two-week-old strike at the Osh- awa Times. Ontario Ministry of Labour mediator Shirley Nicholson cal- led the two sides together for the first time since employees at the Thomson-owned daily newspaper walked off the job Nov. 7. Approximately 70 workers have been on strike since over- whelmingly rejecting the com- pany's final offer of a three-year wagefreeze. Union negotiators had been prepared to accept a two-year freeze, but were opposed to an additional year without an in- crease. Members of the three unions involved in the dispute endorsed their bargaining team's stand by a vote of more than 90 per cent and went on strike, the first labour disruption at the paper in 14 years. Although they did not ask Nicholson to call a meeting, "we're certainly glad she did," said reporter Mark Stewart, spokesperson for- the Southern Ontario Newspaper Guild. "The unions are willing to talk and hopefully the company is willing to find a solution. The strike is not benefiting anybody," he said. "But if the company is sticking to its original position, we will continue the strike." The Guild represents repor- ters, most editors and other newsroom employees, as well as advertising, circulation, classi- fied, mailroom and office staff. Striking composing rooni wor- kers and pressmen are members of other unions. The top rate for a reporter with four and and haf years of experience is $721 a week, but most other wage rates are lower, the Guild notes. Wages for part-time staff in the mailroom, for example, average about $8.40 an hour. While there had been "some conversation" with Nicholson, "I can't say who initiated it (meet- ing)," said Times publisher F.M. 'Mac' Dundas, whose views on the strike remain unaltered. "I have great concern about the future of the Oshawa Times, as I have since this started," he said. However, Dundas said it was "highly unlikely" management's stand would change heading into yesterday's meeting. "If anything, our position has weakened,"he said Friday. "Our financial position is such that we can't afford further costs. "If we couldn't absorb any more losses before the strike, then we certainly can't absorb more losses during the strike." Despite the wage freeze, management's offer included a $500 bonus for full-time staff and a $250 bonus for part-time wor- kers if the paper turned a profit in the third year of the contract. The Times has lest money the past four years, the company claims. The wage freeze was proposed after management dropped an earlier demand for a 10 per cent pay cut across the board. "Inevitably, the window of opportunity (for a settlement) is closing every day we don't pub- lish," said Dundas. a"Papers like yours and others are looking at Oshawa with wide eyes and are prepared te move in," he said. Although the Times, unlike previous years, did not report on its own negotiations, Dundas rejected a suggestion that the newspaper did its readers and advertisers a disservice by net alerting them te the possibility of a strike. "I was net aware there would be a strike. When we walked away from the table I thought we had a deal," he said. "The reality is that when we broke off the talks, neither side was tremendously happy. But both sides felt it was the best we could do." Dundas' comments were echoed in a press release issued Monday by Sam Hindman, pre- sident and chief executive officer of Thomson Newspapers' Cana- dian operations. The Times' final offer will net change because it needs a longer contract in order to return the paper to "financial health," Hind- man insisted. "It is the publisher's position that the Oshawa Times wages are among the highest in Ontario for a similar-sized paper," said Hindman. "He cannot afford te commit te further wage increases given the paper has lest money for four years and is forecast te lose money in the future," Hindman added. However, union officials point out that recent settlements at Thomson newspapers in Canada have resulted in two-year con- tracts with no increase in the first year, but a two per cent increase in the second. Employees of the Thomson- owned Globe and Mail will receive two per cent in the first year and two per cent in the second year of their new agree- ment. Meanwhile, the striking wor- kers were planning to apply a little extra pressure on the com- pany prior to Tuesday's meeting. The Guild's parent union, the Communication Energy and Paperworkers Union, held its convention in Toronto on Mon- day in a hotel not far from Thomson's Canadian headquar- ters. A noon-hour demonstration by Times employees and many of the 1,500 convention delegates was to have been held outside the Thomson building. "We're ,paying a httle call on the Lord, said Stewart in refer- ence to company head Kenneth Thomson. The son of legendary Cana- dian-born media mogul Roy Thomson, later Lord Thomson of Fleet, the younger Thomson heads up a world-wide publish- ing and communications empire that includes 150 newspapers in North America. In addition to the Toronto rally, Times' workers were also busy preparing the second edi- tion of their own newspaper, the 'Oshawa Independent.' Response to the first issue of the weekly publication exceeded all'expectations, Stewart said. "If we had one problem, it was that we didn't print enough," he said. The number of papers will be increased from 18,000 to 21,500 for this week's edition, Stewart said. The inaugural 24-page issue turned a profit in the 'thousands of dollars range," said Stewart and will continue to be published until a settlement is reached with the Times. Dundas said the success of the Oshawa Independent will have no bearing on the company's bargaining strategy. "t hasnt had any influence on mythinkinig,"he said. e previous contract covering Guild members at the Times expired 15 months ago. Te last strike at the paper occurréd in 1980 andlastd about five weeks. 0 f d ti 1 Document Shredding # High volume equipment will reduce your shredding cost # Secure locked containers at no extra cost # Bonded drivers A100% of paper is recycled * Certif icate of destruction * Volume discounts available year-end, clean-outs CAIL NOWf (905) 427-3605 (Derrick) WASTE SYSTEMS Store represented in art CATHY ROUSSEAU, co-owner with Barb Power of Lafon- taine Trading Post, looks over painting, by Whitby artist Sean McQuay (right), that will be mounted in the store's alcove entrance. "It kind of gives a flavour of what the store is all about," says Power. Photo by Jeremy Dresar, Whitby Free Press Alliances....... ..xpl...r.. d On Thursday, Nov. 24, the Durham Region Economic Development Department and Human Resources Development Canada (Canada Employment Centre) are co-sponsoring a Strategic Alliance breakfast meeting at the Holiday Inn, 1011 Bloor St. E., Oshawa. Continental breakfast is from 7:30 to 8 a.m., meeting 8 to 10:30 a.m. Ennio Vita-Finzi· will be the main speaker and three local manufacturing firms, General, Motors, The Brady Group and McAsphalt Industries Limited, will provide case studies of some successful alliances involving Durham firms. Strategic Alliance can increase productivity, reduce operating costs, enhance competitive advantages, solve technical problems and reach new markets -- when an alliance is right for all parties. The breakfast meeting will provide some procedures for analyzing potential strategic alliances and what to look for when involved in an alliance. Many business opportunities from the economic development department will be on display. "For many Durham manufacturing firms, a strategic alliance is one way of competing in the global marketplace," states Patrick Olive, commissioners, economic development for Durham Region. "However, in order for strategic alliances to be successful, a firm must be able and willing to support a program with funds, dedicated people and time. DURHAM BUSINESS NEWS reaches all 11,000 businesses in Durham Region Advertising deadline for December issue is December 1. CALL 668-6111 l