Pioneer Press has new unit co-chairs
Gayle Grundtner and Mara Gottfried were elected at Monday’s meeting. Because there were no other nominations, an election wasn’t necessary. The vacancy was created when unit chair Alex Friedrich recently left the newspaper.
The co-chairwomen plan to work on getting more members involved, and fostering better understanding of what the Guild is about and the value of a strong union.
Grundtner came to the Pioneer Press in March 2000 as a printer II in the typographical union. When a position opened in August 2000, she transferred into her current position as an ad production artist.
Grundtner became active in the Guild during negotiations for the 2002 contract, serving on the communications committee. She was involved in the Save the Pioneer Press campaign, participated in stewards training and has served on the recruitment committee. She is currently the recruitment chair, but is looking for a replacement because of her new responsibilities. She is also a Representative Assembly member.
Gottfried joined the Pioneer Press in July 2001 as an intern on the newsroom’s public safety/general assignment team. She was hired in November 2001 as a suburban reporter, covering Eagan, the Metropolitan Council and suburban growth. Gottfried has been covering St. Paul public safety since 2003.
Gottfried became active in the Guild after the 2002 negotiations, when she sent a letter to Tony Ridder, Knight Ridder’s CEO, about how the negotiations had been a “rude awakening” for a young reporter. “I’ve always thought that the need to make money could be reconciled with the noble profession of journalism,” Gottfried wrote. “I believe the pursuit of profits is undermining our pursuit of readers.” Ridder didn’t respond.
Gottfried was most recently the unit’s co-chair for news. An RA member for five years, Gottfried is the group’s editorial vice president. She has been involved in many unit committees and projects.
Please feel free to contact Grundtner or Gottfried at any time. Grundtner can be reached at gayle.grundtner@gmail.com or X2097. Gottfried can be reached at marahg@netzero.com or X5262.
St. Paul Newspaper Guild
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