01 October 2003

Stratford votes unanimously
to join larger local

Beacon Herald of Stratford | TNG/CWA Local 30139
La-Z-Boy | TNG Canada Local 80400

It's both an ending and a new beginning for Guild workers at The Beacon Herald of Stratford who have voted unanimously in favour of a merger with a larger local in nearby Kitchener-Waterloo, Ont.

Faced with dwindling numbers and a persistent shortage of volunteers for executive positions, TNG Canada/CWA Local 30139 began discussions earlier this year about the possibility of merging with Local 80400, employees at the La-Z-Boy plant a half-hour's drive down Hwy. 7-8.

An information meeting was held on Aug. 18 in Stratford to go over a proposed merger agreement drafted by TNG Canada Staff Rep Dave Esposti, and there was enough positive response out of that meeting to put the plan to a vote.

On Sept. 29 in Stratford, 20 of the 28 members of Local 30139 cast their ballots and all voted in favour of the merger.

Earlier, the executive of Local 80400, which has 420 members, approved the merger on their end.

The Stratford Unit includes 11 mailroom staff, 10 in the newsroom, and seven in composing.

"It's a bit sad that we aren't able to continue as our own local," said president Steve Rice, who will become Chief Steward of the Stratford Unit within Local 80400. "We have members who have been in this local for decades, so there's quite a bit of history here.

"But the overwhelming vote shows people realize this is the right thing for us to do. We're now part of a large local with a strong executive that will support us well in the years to come."

Chris Grogan, president of Local 80400, said he was excited to learn of the outcome of the vote in Stratford.

"I would like to welcome our new members at The Beacon Herald. It's a local that has a long history of servicing its membership."

But Grogan isn't going to dwell on the past. He intends to make his local even stronger. "We look forward to expanding our membership further within the manufacturing, media and professional sectors of our union," he said.

Rice will continue to deal with management on any collective bargaining agreement issues at the newspaper and its Fine Printing division; Grogan will provide support when needed. Esposti will continue to represent the Stratford Unit in future contract negotiations.