HEALTH CARE AND RAISES TOP AGENDA, NEW PRESIDENT SAYS

CONTRACT TALKS AHEAD

By KEVIN COLLISON

Newly-elected Guild President Phil Fairbanks, back after serving in the office three years ago, said the main challenge for the upcoming year will be preparing for contract negotiations that he hopes will be underway as early as next January.

"The two main priorities will be wages and health insurance," Fairbanks said. "Those were the two issues that came back from the membership in terms of the survey.

"We'll obviously take that advice and be looking at what economic trends there are in the industry in terms of wage increases, both union and non-union, as well as look at the continued health of The Buffalo News and its ability to pay.," he said.

Fairbanks has been active in the Guild since coming to the News in January 1986. He was a member of the bargaining team in 1987 and has been on the executive committee off and on for eight years.

He also has served as chief steward and has been vice president of work place strategies on two occasions.

The 44-year-old journalist agreed to seek the office after former President Bob DiCesare resigned late last year due to a new assignment that interfered with his ability to fulfill his obligations to the post.

"I though it was important that someone with experience should step into the job after Bob decided to step down," Fairbanks said. "I told them (executive committee) I'd do it this year. I'd probably be willing to do it longer."

Fairbanks said the loyalty of Guild members will be the union's strongest asset going into the new contract talks.

He praised members for their previous willingness to demonstrate solidarity both inside and outside the workplace. That spirit will be required again, he emphasized.

"There's always a problem between bargaining that people become complacent," he said. "There is the need to convince them to be united. Success relies on mobilizing members."

The current contract expires Aug. 1, 2002. Fairbanks noted there have been many changes in upper management at the News since the last round of negotiations several years ago.

Ralph Wray has been replaced by Dan Farberman as vice president of human resources, and Margaret Sullivan has replaced Murray Light as editor.

Farberman has demonstrated a willingness to be more cooperative, Fairbanks said. He has agreed to return to holding monthly grievance meetings-there are 12- to 15 grievances currently outstanding-and also is willing to work with the WNY Council on Occupational Safety and Health.

The News is applying for a state grant on ergonomic training through the Council. There also is consideration being given to rejoining the Labor-Management Council, an organization that deals with non-contractual workplace issues.

Preparations for the upcoming contract talks include Robert J. McCarthy's agreement to chair a Bargaining Research Committee that will have nine subcommittees: Insurance and Retirement, Economics, Mobilization, Online Jurisdiction, Staffing, Sick Leave/Family Leave, Communication, Part-timers and Contract Language.

Fairbanks also said the Guild is working to improve communication with its members and trying to do more to reach out to other unions in the building. To achieve that goal, he is hopeful that monthly bulletins will be implemented to supplement the Frontier Reporter.

After a period of rapid turnover in staffing at the Guild office, Fairbanks said the union has found a "great hire" in Tammy Turnbull.

Turnbull is currently working part-time, but consideration is being given to make her full-time, he said. "She has great instincts as far as what's important," Fairbanks said. "She's smart and has a good heart and is intelligent and not afraid to fight. I think we've found the right person for the job."

In closing, Fairbanks said his decision to take on the president's job was due to a number of key Guild members agreeing to assist him. Among those members are Sina Williams, Pat Gormley, Jay Bonfatti, Tom Ernst, Carol Ann Burke and Beverly Gniewicki.