Midwest Newspaper 128N is gearing up for an advertiser and subscription boycott campaign as unfair labor practice charges against the Dayton Daily News move toward a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ).

Local 128N Vice Pres. Donnie Russell said the hearing before the ALJ was postponed from its scheduled Jan. 7 date when the company pleaded for more time to deal with new charges filed by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

The charges were filed on behalf of workers in the mailroom, who voted for representation by Local 128N and are now seeking a first contract from the Cox-owned newspaper.

The charges include the company's implementation of health insurance increases on Jan. 1 of last year and this year, the company's implementation of mandatory direct deposit for payroll on Jan. 1, 2003, and July 1, 2003, and failure to bargain, Russell said.

Russell described management's position at the Dayton Daily News as "unreal. There's a good contract in the pressroom. The newspaper's business is good. The Dayton Daily News circulation is about 200,000 and they print some eight or nine other newspapers, including The New York Times. So, they aren't hurting for money."

But when it comes to the 150 workers in the mailroom, Russell said, "they just don't want to give us a fair contract. They don't want to give us union security, overtime, arbitration – all of which the pressmen have. They want us to entertain proposals that have wage decreases for journeymen – a proposal that would cut journeymen's wages 2 percent a year for five years. Most of us haven't had raises for five years to begin with."

The last time the union and company sat down at the table on April 18, 2003, Russell said, "we were in the middle of proposals, and they just got up and walked out."

The local is collecting forms filled out by residents with a pledge to cancel their subscriptions until a fair contract is ratified by the mailroom unit. The form also asks for a pledge not to patronize businesses that advertise in the Dayton Daily News and Cox Enterprises Inc. and to support businesses that have suspended advertising.

Last summer and fall, the local held rallies to support the mailroom workers' struggle for a contract in conjunction with Atlanta 527S. Local 527S organized a group of 100 maintenance and mailroom workers at the Cox-owned Atlanta Journal-Constitution last year and is trying to get a fair first contract for those workers.

Photo courtesy of Atlanta 527S

Leaders and members of Atlanta 527S rally Nov. 13 in front of the Cox-owned Atlanta Journal-Constitution in support of a fair first contract for a unit of maintenance and mailroom workers organized by the local last year. At center, from left are GCIU Organizer Thomas Smith; Local 527S Pres. Ralph M. Meers and Vice Pres./Secy-Treas. James Parker. At far right is Hugh Holloway, Local 527S executive board member.

Photo courtesy of Atlanta 527S

Demonstrating for a fair contract from the Cox-owned Atlanta Journal- Constitution are members of Atlanta 527S and their allies. In the mouse costume is retired Midwest Newspaper 128N Pres. Robert J. Bryan, who complained that the "Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Cox Enterprises didn't leave enough crumbs to feed a rat." Local 128N also is fighting for a first contract in the mailroom at the Cox-owned Dayton Daily News.