By The New York Newspaper Guild
NEW YORK — Some Guild members may have seen a posting last month on Ahead of The Times by Assistant Managing Editor Susan Edgerley inviting them to enter the “star trek transporter” on the print side of the paper and come out a “Web guy” at Times Digital.

The Guild believes opportunities to cross-train at Digital and expand Web-related skills are beneficial and can help members secure their positions at The Times. We even recommended such cross-training in a recent shop paper. But they must be done in conjunction with the protections provided in our contract.

Edgerley’s posting raises several red flags. Guild members need to be aware that there are potentially devastating consequences of taking management up on this “offer.”

At first glance Edgerley’s posting seems like a good training opportunity. But in reality it is a posting for new jobs on the Website. The Guild was told by management that if print-side employees accept positions at Digital, they will be resigning from the paper with no guarantee that they will continue to be employed.

Here are some of the pitfalls for newspaper employees who take Edgerly up on her offer:

Your seniority will be tied to your new department, putting you at the bottom of the list for scheduling of days off, shift start times and job security, should layoffs occur at Digital.

Although Times management claims your Website position will not be subject to a new trial period, if things don’t work out, they admit there is no guarantee you will be allowed to return your old print-side position, or to any other position at The Times.

If for some reason you are not happy working on the Website, the company would be under no obligation to return you to the paper.

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Filed under: Guild News