CHRONICLE NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE - Eighth in a series July 22, 2005

As you all know, we have a deadline coming up Monday on the Guild proposal submitted by The Chronicle negotiating team. It's my view that the more information you have, the more able you are to come to some important conclusions about this process and where it stands. So there are three things I'd like to point out:

Some people may have been unclear why this offer was referred to as our "best offer." The quotes don't mean that it's not really the best offer, or that there is some other, better offer coming. There isn't. "Best offer" means our best offer. Given our dire economic situation which is getting worse by the day because of uncertainty over the labor situation, the serious challenges of our industry and the need for more flexibility to assure the future of this newspaper

I strongly believe that this is the offer that will both create profitability and maintain a great paper. Any offer that is made after the deadline will be less attractive to Guild members. Whatever people feel about that, I want to be absolutely clear - this is not about brinksmanship, nor is it a negotiating tactic. The reason for the deadline is simple: we can't let this drag on any further when we're losing this kind of money. Every dollar more we lose means a dollar less that we can spend here in the future. And that loss now amounts to a quarter of a million dollars every single day that goes by.

I urge everyone to do their homework. This is your livelihood and your professional life. You should know what working conditions and circumstances exist in other major metropolitan newspaper markets. You should be familiar with what's happening at other newspapers and media companies to have a better sense of the prevailing practices around the country. That means the total picture, not just selective facts.

Finally, fully informed people need to participate directly in any process that affects their lives. As a newspaper, we have editorialized for decades that people should be informed and involved. You should be fully informed, you should be involved in the process and you should make sure your voice is heard. Thank you. Frank Vega