Guild Leaders Indicate Job Actions at San Diego Newspapers

Employees of the San Diego Union and Tribune had no immediate plans to strike on Sunday evening, but a member of the San Diego Newspaper Guild said job actions would begin Tuesday that would constitute a “working strike.”

“People in every department will be doing everything they can that’s legal to show management that they depend on our good will,” said Ed Jahn, president of the guild. “Some people may refuse to use their personal cars for work-related assignments. Others may stop writing their stories at 5:30, when their shifts are over.”

Jahn said a rally has been planned to take place inside the Union-Tribune building Tuesday, but he declined to give more specifics.

“We have never condoned vandalism or intimidation tactics,” he said. “On the other hand, management has to know that we’re human beings, and when people get wrapped tight or humiliated, they may react as they see fit.”

Herbert Klein, editor-in-chief of Copley Newspapers, publisher of the morning Union and the afternoon Tribune, said: “Whatever they’re going to do, we’ll be prepared to handle it. I would presume that their professionalism will prevail.”

No contract negotiations have been held between the Union-Tribune management and the guild since talks broke off early Saturday morning. Shortly before 12:30 a.m., negotiators for Copley Newspapers rejected a last-minute guild proposal for a three-year contract that included a major concession to do away with the closed shop that currently forces all employees represented by the guild, whether members or not, to pay dues.

Since then, bargainers for the guild, which represents about 1,150 reporters, photographers and advertising, circulation and other employees, have said a walkout could come any time.

“The most effective strike in the newspaper business is a surprise strike,” said Craig Rose, a Union reporter and a member of the guild’s strike steering committee. “We want to have an effective strike.”

Late Sunday, an answering machine at strike headquarters played this taped message:

“A meeting was held today to make preparations for a possible strike which we could call at any time.