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San Francisco | Labor & WorkersChronicle Pressmen receive strong support from labor community
Frustrated by stalled negotiations with the Hearst Corporation, San Francisco Web Pressmen & Prepress Workers Union Local 4N held a rally in front of the Chronicle building at 5th and Mission on Monday, July 11, 2005  ws_banner_bldg_0506.jpg The Hearst/Chronicle proposals submitted to the various Chronicle unions whose contracts expired on July 1, 2005 include provisions for the Chronicle to dramatically reduce wages, outsource work, eliminate each union’s jurisdiction by allowing non-union employees to do union work side by side with union members, and create a two tier condition for wages and benefits. Despite the outrageous demands, the unions all agreed to enter into bargaining.
But, according to representatives of Local 4N, the Hearst Corporation is refusing to bargain in good faith. Their unwillingness to engage in serious discussion with union representatives brought the issue to the streets where many members of the bay area’s labor community showed their support.
Denis Mosgofian
 denis_cu_0562.jpg Local 4N member Denis Mosgofian was a driving force in organizing the rally.
Richard Valle, Denis Mosgofian, Howard Wallace
 howard_denis_plus_0555.jpg Union City Councilman Richard Valle, Denis Mosgofian listen as San Francisco Labor Council Vice President of Community Affairs Howard Wallace addresses the rally. “It’s a titanic struggle,” said Wallace, “This local is one of the most militant and together locals in the State. I hope they can unite all the newspaper locals in California.”
art and music
 may_the_force_0516.jpg The rally was not without music, art or humor. The company wants to impose a no strike/no solidarity/no sympathy clause in addition to massive wage cuts, elimination of benefits and unsuitable working conditions.
bandstand
 price_plus_0519.jpg Union members Tom Price --- drums --- and Jon Fromer --- vocals and guitar provided art and entertainment as well as information about their predicament.
San Francisco Labor Council Executive Director Tim Paulson
 tim_paulson_0552.jpg San Francisco Labor Council Executive Director Tim Paulson supported the protest with words of solidarity. Although Local 4N is a small local with only 500 members, many leaders in the labor community took the mic in solidarity.
Poster and John Moran
 vega_criminal_0538.jpg Frank Vega was hired by the Chronicle because of his union busting tactics, a fact pointed out by the demonstrators. He wants to cut workers’ wages by more than $10/hour and refuses to negotiate.
John Moran
 moran_vedra_0537.jpg Machinists Local 1414 Business Representative John Moran spoke while Veda was hanged in effigy. “The corporations in the world don’t want to provide wages, benefits and conditions of employment that are necessary for workers to survive,” said Moran. Indeed, union busting seems to have top priority on both Bush and Schwarzenegger’s agendas.
Denise D'anne
 denise_danne_0570.jpg Retired worker and member of the Senior Action Network Board of Directors Denise D’anne listens attentively.
Finale
 around_block_0585.jpg The event ended with a rousing march around the Chronicle Building.
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