So Much to Discuss
Hey guys,
Sorry for the lapse in communications, but things have been flying around so quickly as of late, I haven't had much time to sit down and catch my breath to write. But, now that it's late and my neighbor is still plunking away on his guitar, might as well unload with a multitude of news. So, in no particular order, here goes-- remind me if I forgot anyone.
First off, check your paychecks-- everyone should have received the union raise for the most recent pay period. The company doesn't like giving out those raises. It likes to make everything merit-based and has resisted increased annual raises in the past, but I look at it this way: everyone here works hard and does it well each day. You've all earned those dollars, so this is a merit raise. It's not enough, nor will it ever be-- your work is so valuable there's no way it could ever be farely compensated. But it's definitely richly deserved, so thank you to everyone who cranks, day in and day out to put this paper out. You guys truly are the best.
Secondly, I wanted to let you know that we're working much more closely with the Guild's national folks to build strength here in Southern California. It's early yet, but we're going to see a lot more collaboration with our fellow union members at the Press-Telegram and there will be a lot of good union activity in months to come. I'm pleased to say that I think that most of this will be progressive stuff, too-- finding ways to reinforce our role as an advocate of good journalism, to encourage people to support their local newspaper and to find ways to invigorate the product, rather than in opposition to the company. I don't have specifics yet, but based on the early discussions, I think we're definitely on the right path.
Speaking of that, I've noticed a lot of changes at work in the last few months. Some of it comes from new leadership, as mentioned in the previous post, along with new management in Sports and Online, but most significantly, it comes from the staff. Whether it's new beat coverage and a return to project work in Metro, comprehensive multimedia coverage in Sports, a constantly improving Web site or the big switch to LA.com, the paper feels much more alive now. While I'm glad to see that the company has chosen innovative editors, the biggest driver of that change is y'all. You've stepped up and taken ownership of the product and it really shows.
And please join me in wishing Jason and Kerry Kandel a pleasant and exciting trip to Colombia. After Jason headed to Albania on a State Department trip to discuss journalism last year, he was recalled once again to speak to a group of reporters in Bogota. Based on his expertise covering cops and organized crime, he'll be teaching them this week about the American justice system and its relationship with the media. Throughout his many roles here at the paper, Jason's always been a hell of a hard worker and a committed reporter (just check out his piece on the untimely death of ex-boxer Charlie Brown today (http://www.dailynews.com/ci_6980523)). I'm sure his audience will be well-served with his long experience and colorful flair for description. Godspeed and good luck, my friends, have a safe and productive voyage.
OK, that'll do it for me for one evening. Thanks for listening, as always.
-Brent
Sorry for the lapse in communications, but things have been flying around so quickly as of late, I haven't had much time to sit down and catch my breath to write. But, now that it's late and my neighbor is still plunking away on his guitar, might as well unload with a multitude of news. So, in no particular order, here goes-- remind me if I forgot anyone.
First off, check your paychecks-- everyone should have received the union raise for the most recent pay period. The company doesn't like giving out those raises. It likes to make everything merit-based and has resisted increased annual raises in the past, but I look at it this way: everyone here works hard and does it well each day. You've all earned those dollars, so this is a merit raise. It's not enough, nor will it ever be-- your work is so valuable there's no way it could ever be farely compensated. But it's definitely richly deserved, so thank you to everyone who cranks, day in and day out to put this paper out. You guys truly are the best.
Secondly, I wanted to let you know that we're working much more closely with the Guild's national folks to build strength here in Southern California. It's early yet, but we're going to see a lot more collaboration with our fellow union members at the Press-Telegram and there will be a lot of good union activity in months to come. I'm pleased to say that I think that most of this will be progressive stuff, too-- finding ways to reinforce our role as an advocate of good journalism, to encourage people to support their local newspaper and to find ways to invigorate the product, rather than in opposition to the company. I don't have specifics yet, but based on the early discussions, I think we're definitely on the right path.
Speaking of that, I've noticed a lot of changes at work in the last few months. Some of it comes from new leadership, as mentioned in the previous post, along with new management in Sports and Online, but most significantly, it comes from the staff. Whether it's new beat coverage and a return to project work in Metro, comprehensive multimedia coverage in Sports, a constantly improving Web site or the big switch to LA.com, the paper feels much more alive now. While I'm glad to see that the company has chosen innovative editors, the biggest driver of that change is y'all. You've stepped up and taken ownership of the product and it really shows.
And please join me in wishing Jason and Kerry Kandel a pleasant and exciting trip to Colombia. After Jason headed to Albania on a State Department trip to discuss journalism last year, he was recalled once again to speak to a group of reporters in Bogota. Based on his expertise covering cops and organized crime, he'll be teaching them this week about the American justice system and its relationship with the media. Throughout his many roles here at the paper, Jason's always been a hell of a hard worker and a committed reporter (just check out his piece on the untimely death of ex-boxer Charlie Brown today (http://www.dailynews.com/ci_6980523)). I'm sure his audience will be well-served with his long experience and colorful flair for description. Godspeed and good luck, my friends, have a safe and productive voyage.
OK, that'll do it for me for one evening. Thanks for listening, as always.
-Brent
posted by Oxnard St. at 6:49 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home