Statement by Steven Grant, Secretary-Treasurer, Teamsters Local Union 1100
The following is the official statement of Steven Grant, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters-New Jersey Mailers Union 1100, in response to the letter to employees issued by Richard Vezza, publisher of the Star-Ledger newspaper:
"I am somewhat confused and dismayed by the recent letter sent out by the publisher of the Star-Ledger, Richard Vezza, especially because the union has been forced to file unfair labor charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against the Star-Ledger because of its refusal to bargain a successor agreement.
"Local 1100 has an outstanding record of responding to the publisher's needs. Within the past few years, for example, in response to a statement that the mailroom costs for inserting work were too high, the union, in mid-contract, agreed to open and modify their current contract. The publisher maintained that the cost of inserting work left him unable to compete and that they were considering out sourcing all inserting work.
"The union agreed to a large number of concessions that resulted in a cost reduction of $15 per hour per man for all inserting work. The Star-Ledger in turn agreed to a 'No Sub-Contract' provision, and the amended agreement was titled Plant Closing Agreement.
"As a result of these reduced costs, the Star-Ledger was able to start producing all the Trenton Times inserting work in house. In addition the Star-Ledger for the first time started to produce, in house, all inserting work for the total market coverage package.
"Also, we were told that the only profitable department at the Ledger was the mailroom.
"Let me be clear, I am now, and at all times, prepared to address the Star-Ledger's need to produce a profitable newspaper, provided it is the current bargaining employees who do all the work.
A good start would be for the Star-Ledger to resolve the NLRB charges by agreeing to bargain in good faith for a new successor agreement."
