Protest the Star Tribune cuts: Feb. 5, 2010

If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.
-Bishop Desmond Tutu


Dear friends and family of dismissed Star Tribune employees:

I’m the spouse of a Star Tribune employee. My spouse, and probably your spouse, partner, or family member was laid off this past Wednesday.

If you’re like me, you’re probably moving up and down the ‘stages of change’ grief continuum -- shock, pain, anger, depression, and maybe even, acceptance.

You might also be panicking, just as we are. We have a mortgage, school loans and all of the typical cost-of-living responsibilities that any family has. In three months, even with unemployment assistance, we will be unable to afford our mortgage. And, like many Americans, we will no longer afford health insurance.

No doubt we all share similar stories -- that of future uncertainties and hardships. This is one of many reasons to show support and solidarity for the 30 employees that were disposed of this past week and the 75 others last November.

Some people I know have suggested that “everyone will find work again,” and that the paper had to “do what they had to do to survive in this bad economy.”

That’s a glib mischaracterization of reality. The recent glob of lay-offs has been especially dirty, and cowardly, this time around. And it clearly wasn’t just about saving money. The Star Tribune is profitable.

As such, it should be setting an example for the better, not the worst.

I’ve never spoken out like this before (well, not since I led an 8th grade protest) so I’m a little scared. But my hope is that you will join me next week in making a peaceful statement to the management of the Star Tribune -- that their business practice and behavior during the worst economic crisis in our lifetimes is unacceptable.

I know that some of the disposed employees will be touched by this gesture, so please try to dedicate a minimal amount of your time for them and the hard work they have invested into this newspaper.

I urge you to share this posting with your friends and family.

Lastly, please note the following ‘plan of action’ and ‘ground rules’:

Plan of Action
• We will meet in the small open space area directly across from the Star Tribune’s main entrance (425 Portland Avenue) at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 5, 2010.
• Bring your own homemade sign (I'll have a few extra).
• Wear black semi-formal business attire. The point is to demonstrate that the employees were professionals and to combat demonstrator stereotypes. Black suits also make a very strong statement. *Wear long-underwear and layer-up for warmth!
• I will have small green ribbons (Star Tribune green) for you to pin on your suits.
• We will adjourn at 5:30 p.m. and head over to a place TBD later this week for drinks and recognition of laid-off employee service.

Ground Rules
• Please protect laid-off employees’ anonymity so that their future job prospects are not compromised or sabotaged in any way.
• Please protect the anonymity of family and friends (all of us)!
• Please refrain from using verbal or written profanities on signs, clothing, etc. This will only make us look bad and create negative press.
• Please leave with whatever you bring (food, signs, trash, etc.).
• Please be peaceful and mindful of fellow citizens so that no one is arrested or physically injured.
• Please follow all city laws regarding sidewalk, curb, and street use.

For more information on the recent lay-offs, go to:
http://www.minnpost.com/braublog/2010/01/25/15295/let_the_star_tribune_byline_strike_begin

For information on the actual financial stability of the Star Tribune, read what the owner recently had to say here:
http://www.minnpost.com/braublog/2009/11/15/13454/ooo_its_a_star_tribune-minnesota_public_radio_spat

For further information, either leave your comments on this blog, or e-mail me at theminneapples@me.com and I will gladly contact you directly.

Thank you!