"Amid layoffs, TU plans party at 677 Prime"

Here is the latest news coming out of the newspaper guild:

The Newspaper Guild of Albany blasted the Times Union’s management for planning a party at the Capital Region’s most expensive restaurant, 677 Prime, while making plans to lay off workers. The bash is to include free limo rides.

The party is planned for April 2, one week before the Hearst Corp. plans to cancel the contract with 243 of its employees. It comes as the Company is planning to lay off 65 to 70 of the union’s members, almost 30 percent.

“This is absolutely outrageous,” said Guild President Tim O’Brien. “While we are offering concessions to save some of our members’ jobs, the Company is planning to live high off the hog complete with limo rides for top advertising sales people.”

A second company event is planned for March 19 at Blue Stone Bistro complete with open bar.

“Apparently, the Hearst Corp. bosses have been paying no attention to the news stories about how unpopular corporate excess has become,” O’Brien said. “We represent the advertising workers, and we think they are very deserving of recognition especially in this economic climate. But as the Times Union seeks to cut jobs and outsource work out of the Capital Region, it’s outrageous that it would hold such a lavish party.”

The party comes after the newspaper recently brought in new furniture, repainted the walls of its newsroom and painted slogans on the walls of a conference room.

This week, the union offered concessions including an across-the-board wage cut of 5 percent; a reduction in overtime; and giving up an annual bonus for workers who take no sick time. The Company responded by serving notice it would end the employees’ contract on April 9.

Comments

[shannon]

I do find it odd how business owner's choose to spend their money in these hard times- this is another example that makes ya want to slam your head against a wall..whether you work there or not. Id rather have a job than a $75 steak and limo ride.