Ira Come Out

"Ira, Come Out!"

We deserve respect,

and we're not alone!

In the category "what you won't read all about in the Daily Freeman's
Publisher Ira Fusfeld will meet with Union negotiators, today, in an attempt to end a two-year contract dispute with members of the Kingston Newspaper Guild.

According to Claude Dixon, president of the guild, the union is working to retain
health care benefits for all, establish domestic partner benefits, and achieve cost-of-living raises.

"Our employees aren't asking for the world, here. Pushing to retain health benefits is by no means radical, and our modest goal of 3 percent annual pay raises should make it obvious just how serious we are about reaching a settlement. The New Jersey corporation that owns the Daily Freeman is, literally, trying to increase profits by slashing health care benefits," Dixon said.

Although news of the struggle has never surfaced on the pages of the Daily Freeman, employees who have gone without an increase in pay for three years have frequently appeared in front of the building protesting the corporate greed they've put up with since the company changed hands.

These rallies in front of the newspaper's offices on Hurley Avenue in Kingston have drawn support from passers-by, the members of other union workers in the area, and local politicians.

On Friday Freeman employees were joined by Congressman Maurice Hinchey, several candidates for the Ulster County Legislature and members of CWA, CSEA, PBA and SEIU locals.

Bull-horn in hand, Hinchey's cry of "Come Out Ira!" directed at the publisher's window brought no response, but the banner Hinchey's held calling for a "Honk for Health
Benefits" brought passing motorists to action.

In a brief statement to those in attendance, Hinchey criticized the Freeman's owners for their lack of compassion, and said the rush to slash benefits to raise profits is unconscionable.

Hinchey and the other supporters promised repeat appearances if the Daily Freeman's owners don't make significant positive movement at the bargaining table.




				"Ira, Come Out!"

			We deserve respect, and we're not alone!
			In the category "what you won't read all about in the Daily Freeman's Publisher Ira Fusfeld will meet with Union negotiators, today, in an attempt to end a two-year contract dispute with members of the Kingston Newspaper Guild. According to Claude Dixon, president of the guild, the union is working to retain health care benefits for all, establish domestic partner benefits, and achieve cost-of-living raises. "Our employees aren't asking for the world, here. Pushing to retain health benefits is by no means radical, and our modest goal of 3 percent annual pay raises should make it obvious just how serious we are about reaching a settlement. The New Jersey corporation that owns the Daily Freeman is, literally, trying to increase profits by slashing health care benefits," Dixon said. Although news of the struggle has never surfaced on the pages of the Daily Freeman, employees who have gone without an increase in pay for three years have frequently appeared in front of the building protesting the corporate greed they've put up with since the company changed hands. These rallies in front of the newspaper's offices on Hurley Avenue in Kingston have drawn support from passers-by, the members of other union workers in the area, and local politicians. On Friday Freeman employees were joined by Congressman Maurice Hinchey, several candidates for the Ulster County Legislature and members of CWA, CSEA, PBA and SEIU locals. Bull-horn in hand, Hinchey's cry of "Come Out Ira!" directed at the publisher's window brought no response, but the banner Hinchey's held calling for a "Honk for Health Benefits" brought passing motorists to action. In a brief statement to those in attendance, Hinchey criticized the Freeman's owners for their lack of compassion, and said the rush to slash benefits to raise profits is unconscionable. Hinchey and the other supporters promised repeat appearances if the Daily Freeman's owners don't make significant positive movement at the bargaining table.