Meanwhile in Milwaukee

From The Pipeline:

n Milwaukee, we were just told of voluntary buyouts in a meeting on Wednesday. But the buyout package is the worst thus far and employees would actually get more money if they were fired than if they accepted the buyout package. The buyout deadline is set for April 10.
According to an e-mail sent out by the union, "Here’s how the latest buyout differs from those in the past: (1) No previous buyout has ever been capped. (2) Additional cash or outplacement aid was part of some previous buyouts. (3) The last two buyouts were not open to part-timers. (4) Previous severance payments came in a lump sum.
Here’s how the buyout terms differ from the layoff terms: (1) If you are downsized, you get two weeks of pay for each year of service, with no cap. (2) Anyone pushed out in a reduction in force is also entitled to 60 days’ notice or 60 days’ pay. (3) The contract does not require the company to pay any health insurance if you’re downsized, but you do get some kind of outplacement aid."
Doesn't make much sense if you ask me or anyone else at the paper.
If they don't reach their desired buyout number, layoffs may take place by the end of the month.

 

More from The Pipeline:

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel guild approved a wage cut proposal:

- Effective May 3, wages for all members of our bargaining unit will be reduced by approximately 6.6%.
- The wage cuts will expire May 2, 2010, or when the non-represented Journal Sentinel staff’s 6% wage cuts expire, whichever is later. If the company partially restores wages for non-represented staff, it will do the same for us.
- All full-time employees will receive 10 personal days in 2009, on the same terms as the non-represented staff. Part-time employees will receive a proportional number of personal days. In 2010, we would receive the same number of personal days as the non-represented staff, if any.
- The company will not lay off any members of our bargaining unit through Sept. 30 of this year.