Dear friends and family of dismissed Star Tribune employees:
This is a reminder of the plan to have a short protest in front of the Star Tribune on Friday, Feb. 5, at 4 p.m.
Again, we realize that this demonstration won't get anyone's job back. But we also think it's important now, during one of the worst economic times in generations, to call out the greed and profiteering of the new owners and management of the Star Tribune, coming at hardworking peoples' expense.
And just because this is not a guild-sanctioned event -- but that doesn't mean guild members can't participate. Also, we are making every effort to not directly involve the names of the laid-off employees, so they don't suffer any type of backlash.
See You There!
• 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 likely head over to Kieran's Irish Pub for drinks and recognition of laid-off employee service.
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!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Star Tribune: Profitable, yet putting people out of work
Yes, they declared bankruptcy and dumped their debt back onto the banks and, ultimately, taxpayers. (Bailout alert!)
Yes, they they're dumping hard-working and valuable employees onto federal and state unemployment lines -- even further burdening our tax rolls.
But times are tough for the newspaper industry.
OR ARE THEY?
Mike Sweeney: 'Future is bright for news'
"The Star Tribune is alive and well without tapping state taxpayers.
Today we are a profitable company with a healthy balance sheet and the financial resources to fulfill our core mission of being Minnesota's most important news source."
Mike Sweeney in the Star Tribune, Nov. 22, 2009
Mike Sweeney: Significant operating cash flow
It's wrong to question the Star Tribune's survivability. Including digital readers, the Star Tribune's audience has never been larger, he said. The newspaper is projected to generate significant operating cash flow next year and is in no danger of collapse, he said.
Mike Sweeney, quoted in MinnPost, Nov. 15, 2009
New Star Tribune board members: $40K a year plus stock options
The Strib will shell out $160,000 (actually more) for governance of a $200 million-a-year (for now) company. While that would pay for five rookie reporters ...
MinnPost, Sept. 14, 2009
New Star Tribune publisher's salary: $400,000-plus
[New publisher] Klingensmith will make "$400,000 per year in cash, plus incentive compensation and options struck at plan value."
The disclosure comes at an awkward time — the Strib is about to buy out or lay off 30 newsroom workers, some with several decades of experience, after pink-slipping about 70 other workers company-wide late last year.
MinnPost, Jan. 18, 2010
Yes, they they're dumping hard-working and valuable employees onto federal and state unemployment lines -- even further burdening our tax rolls.
But times are tough for the newspaper industry.
OR ARE THEY?
Mike Sweeney: 'Future is bright for news'
"The Star Tribune is alive and well without tapping state taxpayers.
Today we are a profitable company with a healthy balance sheet and the financial resources to fulfill our core mission of being Minnesota's most important news source."
Mike Sweeney in the Star Tribune, Nov. 22, 2009
Mike Sweeney: Significant operating cash flow
It's wrong to question the Star Tribune's survivability. Including digital readers, the Star Tribune's audience has never been larger, he said. The newspaper is projected to generate significant operating cash flow next year and is in no danger of collapse, he said.
Mike Sweeney, quoted in MinnPost, Nov. 15, 2009
New Star Tribune board members: $40K a year plus stock options
The Strib will shell out $160,000 (actually more) for governance of a $200 million-a-year (for now) company. While that would pay for five rookie reporters ...
MinnPost, Sept. 14, 2009
New Star Tribune publisher's salary: $400,000-plus
[New publisher] Klingensmith will make "$400,000 per year in cash, plus incentive compensation and options struck at plan value."
The disclosure comes at an awkward time — the Strib is about to buy out or lay off 30 newsroom workers, some with several decades of experience, after pink-slipping about 70 other workers company-wide late last year.
MinnPost, Jan. 18, 2010
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