DAILY GRINDER: DN, Inky Owners Demand Union Concessions
The new owners of the Inquirer, Daily News and Philly.com have demanded immediate concessions from the union that represents the publications’ employees. According to Poynter, “In a letter to employees last month, IGM CEO Bob Hall told employees revenue at the company was down $16 million from the year before. It told the Guild the same day it would seek...
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DAILY GRINDER: Homeless Feeding Ban Hearings Today
Federal court hearings begin today over the homeless feeding ban in Philadelphia. The ACLU and the law offices of Kairys, Rudovsky, Messing & Feinberg LLP are representing several religious groups who say feeding the poor is their religious right. The law technically went into effect on June 1st though the city hadn’t yet fulfilled its obligation to...
Continue ReadingDAILY GRINDER: Priest Abuse Case Gets Sicker
Priest abuse cases are always bad. Sure. But there’s something about the Philadelphia case, specifically, that sort of makes me throw up a little, each time I read about it. Maybe it’s the detailed, alleged maniacal perversion of the individual, uncharged priests who will never see the inside of a jail cell or that Cardinal Lynn apparently let it all happen....
Continue ReadingDAILY GRINDER: Birther Group Will Try to Keep Obama off PA Ballot
There’s a state group looking to get President Barack Obama kicked off the Pennsylvania primary ballot because … sekrit muzlin? … fake berf certifikit? … born in Kenya? … socialist radical? … Probably! But the reason they’re going with is that President Obama’s father was never a naturalized citizen and that makes Barack Obama ineligible for the...
Continue ReadingDAILY GRINDER: Gov. Ed Rendell ‘Believer’ in Newspapers’ Ability to Profit
Former Governor Ed Rendell is leading a so-called “civic-minded” effort to buy the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News, after news reports surfaced last week saying two hedge funds with major stakes in the Philly Media Network want to sell. “They’re as big a believer as I am that the Philadelphia Media Network can turn a profit, but that’s...
Continue ReadingDAILY GRINDER: Corbett Declares ‘Obamacare for All’?
Looks like Pennsylvania may get its Obamacare after all. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department has filed its application for $33 million to begin the development and design of a health insurance exchange in the state. When asked about the whole ordeal—especially since Corbett sued to block health care reform while Attorney General—State Insurance Commissioner...
Continue ReadingDAILY GRINDER: Another Endorsement for Milton!
District Council 33 of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees – trash haulers, recreation, health and fleet departments – are backing Milton Street for Mayor. These blue-collar workers have been without a contract for almost two years. Many members of the union don’t feel they’ve been supported by Mayor Michael Nutter throughout...
Continue ReadingDAILY GRINDER: Hoeffel Quits, Philly Cop Caught Stealing
Joe Hoeffel isn’t running for re-election for Montgomery County Commissioner. That’s sad, and in announcing such a decision he took oh so many swipes at the state Democratic Party. This is a great time for Pennsylvania Democrats. [CBS] You already know this, but it’s worth repeating. Former Governor Ed Rendell is penning a sports column in the Daily News,...
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Philadelphia Newspapers Contracts Finalized
Stop us if you’ve heard this one before. The Inky finally stopped reporting its own impending death today. It’s now saying the last two of the Inky and Daily News’ 16 unions have reached a contract with their new owners, Philadelphia Media Network, and all’s well, forever. Yesterday the papers’ drivers voted 148-15 in favor of a deal after...
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Philadelphia Newspaper Guild Concession Update
Looks like Elance and Craigslist classifieds will have to wait, because The Newspaper Guild voted for wage concessions – and it means they’ll keep their jobs through the next year. Newspaper Guild is the largest union representing Daily News, Inky and Philly.com reporters, editors and advertising staff. It’s got about 515 members. Daily News: With about...
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