BNG-CWA President Cites Changing Work Duties

DiCESARE TO STEP DOWN

BY KEVIN COLLISON

Guild President Bob DiCesare is stepping down next month after a two-year term marked by both frustration and progress in the union's dealings with The Buffalo News.

Bob DiCesare

"It's been a fairly tumultuous two years," he said. "The first year was a colossal struggle and we were constantly butting heads with the Human Resources department. We couldn't even have a decent conversation that could lead to settlements. "That's changed. Not that they're totally agreeable, but there's room for settlement now." Following the departure of former human resources director Laura Dudley about a year ago, DiCesare said the Guild managed to make substantial progress on a number of fronts including extended sick leave policy and seniority scheduling issues in the classified department.

"In a matter of two discussions with the new regime, we had basically settled three of the four issues," he said.

DiCesare, a sportswriter for the News, became president in January 1998. Besides the challenges representing the Guild with News management, he also inherited a situation of rapid turnover in the Guild office.

Tina Destro, who had been chosen to replace Marian Needham after a lengthy search process, resigned her position as service representative shortly after DiCesare took office forcing the Guild to conduct another search. Her successor was Carol Goldstein.

Goldstein's tenure did not last long either, and after her decision to leave, the Guild office was without a staff until classified's Tammy Turnbull began working part-time a month or so ago.

Turnbull has now resigned from the News to accept a position as the Guild's office manager. DiCesare he expects the office will now enter a period of stability.

"We've decided what we need is an office manager, somebody we can bring along," he said.

"Tammy has a great attitude and is willing to learn. I feel a lot more comfortable knowing we've filled that hole. Whoever succeeds me won't have to do it on their own."

DiCesare said his decision to step down is for two main reasons, a feeling that two years is enough, combined with new duties in the sports department.

"This isn't saying I'll be stepping away from the Guild. I think we've seen in the past where leaders, for whatever reason, step aside entirely when their term is done. I don't want that to happen to me. I still want to be active."

DiCesare said the Guild is in good shape, with the main challenge facing whoever succeeds him being the upcoming contract negotiations.

"One of the things I'm proud of, and it speaks well for the Guild, is we're getting a lot more involvement out of people. Social events, such as the holiday party, these are important things. Sina Williams coming back to be vice president of mobilization has been a huge asset for us.

"The biggest thing coming up is the negotiating preparations and I plan to take part in that and be active. It's something we all have to take part in. We've had a number of people volunteer to be part of the negotiating committees and that's a tremendous sign.

"The one thing I've learned is it doesn't take a whole lot of time to give something to this Guild and help the union flow. A lot of time, people are fearful that it will take too much time, but if everybody gives a little, it will run like clockwork."

Phil Fairbanks, past president of the Guild, praised DiCesare for his contributions to the union.

"Bob did what most of us are afraid to do, step into the fray known as labor-management relations at The Buffalo News," he said. "He emerged from it with a record of achievement and advancement on behalf of the Guild."

DiCesare has agreed to remain on the job through the end of January. The topic of choosing his successor is expected to be discussed at the next Guild meeting on Nov. 28.