Star Tribune Guild cancels Monday's rally in Minneapolis

Bring Me The News has been notified that members of the Newspaper Guild at the Star Tribune will not hold a rally set to take place outside the newspaper’s downtown Minneapolis headquarters Monday afternoon. However, it's unclear why the protest was called off.

The rally was originally scheduled in response to the newspaper's decision to ban the union from holding a mobilization meeting on company property, according to a news release.

The Guild, which represents about 250 members who work in the newsroom, promotions and circulation departments at Minnesota's largest newspaper, began contract negotiations last month. The current labor deal expires on Thursday.

Union members have not had a base salary increase in more than five years. In September 2011, union members approved an 18-month contract extension, continuing a pay freeze.

“The sacrifices that Guild members made three years ago helped save this 140-year community institution,” Janet Moore, co-chair, Star Tribune Newspaper Guild, said in the news release. “It’s time for the Star Tribune to recognize our contributions.”

Read the original news release below:

MINNEAPOLIS (January 28, 2012): Members of the Star Tribune Newspaper Guild, which include journalists who produce the Star Tribune and startribune.com, will rally outside the newspaper’s headquarters at 4 p.m. Monday to protest the company’s decision to ban the union from holding a mobilization meeting inside the newspaper building last week.

On Thursday, Jan. 24, Management at the Star Tribune ordered the union to cancel a planned mobilization meeting at the newspaper saying it would be “disruptive.” The Guild has represented journalists at the Star Tribune for 80 years.

The edict comes as Guild members negotiate a new labor contract. The current pact expires Jan. 31.

The rally will be held at 4 p.m., 425 Portland Ave., Minneapolis.

The rally on Monday will also note the 2,004th day that Guild members have not had a raise – on top of a host of concessions, including pay cuts of 8 percent to 14 percent, that were extracted from union members when the newspaper was in bankruptcy in 2009.

Now that the newspaper has long emerged from bankruptcy and is on sound financial footing, Guild members say it’s about time for a raise.

“The sacrifices that Guild members made three years ago helped save this 140-year community institution,” said Janet Moore, co-chair, Star Tribune Newspaper Guild. “It’s time for the Star Tribune to recognize our contributions.”

The Guild represents about 250 members who work in the Newsroom, Promotions and Circulation departments.