Toledo Newspaper Guild contract with The Toledo Blade Co.

This agreement made and entered into at Toledo, Ohio. Effective May 29, 2007 and expires May 31, 2010, between the Toledo Blade Company, an Ohio corporation hereinafter referred to as the Company, and the Toledo Newspaper Guild/CWA, hereinafter referred to as the Guild, acting for itself and on behalf of all the employees of the Company in the editorial, advertising, circulation, marketing and business departments of the Company, WITNESSETH

ARTICLE I
GUILD SHOP

There shall be a full Guild Shop. All employees coming under the terms of this Agreement shall apply for membership in the Guild. In the event of failure to become a member within 31 days of the start of employment, the employee shall, upon formal
notice from the Guild, be discharged. All employees coming
under the terms of this Agreement shall remain members in good standing during the life of this Agreement, except as provided below.

EXCEPTIONS:
The following persons shall not come within the provisions of this section: Circulation Promotion Manager, Payroll Department Supervisor, Regional Editor, Executive Editor of the Sports Department, Features Editor, Head of the Photographic Department, Confidential Secretaries [not to exceed
nine (9)], employees of European, Washington, New York and Columbus offices, and no more than nine (9) persons to be designated by the publisher.

1. Those employees who maintain a non-member status or change their status to a non-member status and are covered by the terms of this agreement shall be required to pay, as a condition of employment, an initial service fee and weekly (or otherwise) service fees in an amount to not exceed the amount of full member dues to the Guild for the purpose of aiding the Guild in defraying cost in connection with the Guild’s obligations
and responsibilities as the exclusive bargaining agent of the bargaining unit herein. The Guild shall maintain an objection
and rebate procedure consistent with law.

2. If any Guild member shall lose good standing by falling one (1) month in arrears in Guild dues, or if any non-member falls one month in arrears in Guild service fees, the Company shall, upon formal notice from the Guild, discharge said employee.

3. The Guild agrees that it will admit to membership and retain in membership any employee qualified according to the Constitution of The Newspaper Guild and by-laws of the local Guild.

4. The Company shall furnish to the Guild in writing, within two weeks of hiring, the names of persons hired after the effective
date of this contract, with the dates thereof, contract job names, job experience ratings, salary, birth dates, Social Security numbers, addresses and phone numbers.

5. The Company shall notify the Guild monthly in writing of all changes in classifications and any salary changes by reason
thereof and the effective date, resignations, retirements, deaths and any other revisions in data listed in Paragraph 4 of this Article.

6. Any employee who is discharged under the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 shall receive no severance pay.

7. Discharges under this Article shall not be subject to review by the Board of Arbitration. 8. The kind of work either normally, or presently, performed within the unit covered by this contract and other work assigned to be performed within the said unit, or work which replaces or displaces such work, is recognized as the jurisdiction of the Guild, and the performance of such work shall be assigned to employees within the Guild jurisdiction.


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ARTICLE II
DUES
DEDUCTION

1. Upon an employee’s voluntary written assignment, the Company shall deduct weekly from the earnings of such employee and pay to the Guild not later than the fifteenth day of each month all Guild membership dues and assessments. Such dues and assessments shall be deducted from the employee’s earnings in accordance with a schedule furnished the Company by the Guild. Such schedule may be amended by the Guild at any time. An employee’s voluntary written assignment
shall remain effective in accordance with the terms of such assignment.

2. The deduction assignment shall be executed by the employee in the form set forth as Exhibit “A”which is attached to this contract and made a part hereof.


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ARTICLE III
VACANCIES - PROMOTIONS

1. When new positions or vacancies are to be filled in any department, first consideration shall be given to employees of The Toledo Blade Company. Except for part-time C-6 rack sales positions, the Company shall give at least seven (7) days’ notice to employees by properly posted bulletins and in writing to the Guild. The Guild may supply the names of members available, which management will discuss with the Guild. An individual employee who files a written application for the position or vacancy shall, if not successful in his application, be informed of the reason for his rejection. The rejected employee shall be informed of the reason for his rejection in writing if he makes written request for same. Management has the sole right to determine the qualifications of an employee for such position or vacancy, it being understood that if the procedure herein prescribed is followed, the choice of person shall not be the subject of a grievance. As a full-time position becomes available, preference will be given to part-time employees currently working in the same classification as the posted position based on seniority, qualifications and experience.

2. If any employee is transferred or promoted to a vacancy which pays the same or a higher top minimum, that employee shall be on trial for a 90-day period. An employee may be returned by action of the Company or at his own request to the classification from which he was transferred or promoted at any time during the 90-day trial period, at the salary which he would have received had he remained in his classification. In the case of employees who enter the Programmer classification in the Information Technology Department, the 90-day trial period in the above paragraph will be extended 45 days at the request of the Company and an additional 45 days if the Company and the Union agree. The trial period will begin upon the completion of programmer school and will not exceed a total of 180 days.

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ARTICLE IV
PART-TIME AND TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES

1. In cases where a shortage occurs, on days off of the regular
employees, such employees shall be given the opportunity to work on their days off at the prevailing rate of time and one-half before outside help is hired.

2. Part-time employees shall assume all the obligations of this agreement and shall receive its benefits on a proportionate basis as their respective work week compares with a full work week of 37-1/2 hours. Part-time employees shall be paid on an hourly basis equivalent to the weekly minimum salary provided for their classification and years of experience, regardless
of the number of hours worked.

3. Part-time employees who work less than 18-3/4 hours a week shall not be entitled to severance pay, vacations, or leaves of absence until they have worked regularly for one calendar year.

4. A part-time employee shall be considered one who works regularly less than the work-week provided in the contract.

5. A temporary employee shall be considered one who is employed in a regular classification for a special project for a limited time subject to the limitations of Paragraph 6 of this Article. Persons hired to cover the absence of other employees due to vacations, sick leaves and leaves of absence for a period not exceeding 120 days shall be considered temporary employees. Temporary employees working less than thirty (30) days shall not be entitled to severance and vacation pay. Any employee hired as a temporary employee shall be deemed a permanent employee of the Company after a maximum of 120 days in such temporary capacity. However, persons employed either by the Company or by organizations engaged by the Company for special circulation promotion campaigns and who shall have no part whatsoever in the regular distribution of The Blade shall not be considered employees of the Company within the provisions of this contract. Any special telephone solicitors hired for circulation promotion by The Blade who are stationed within The Blade Building shall, upon completion of 90 days of continuous service in such capacity with the Company, which service shall not otherwise come within the provisions of this contract, be given preference over non-employees of The Blade for any openings in the Classified Sales Department or any other department in which they are qualified. Within two (2) weeks after the hiring of any person whose employment is covered by this Section 5, the Company shall notify the Guild in writing of that person’s name, starting date, classification (if any), the nature of his special project or employment,
and the probable duration of employment. Notice to the Guild under this provision shall in no way abridge the provisions
of this Section 5 which provides that certain persons shall not be considered employees of the Company.

6. Part-time and temporary employees and interns shall not be employed where, in effect, such employment would eliminate
or displace a regular or full-time employee. Any employee leaving a full-time position shall be replaced by a full-time employee provided the Company continues to schedule a five (5) day position during a seven (7) day work week.

7. If a part-time or temporary employee becomes a full-time employee with no break in service, seniority for purposes of claiming particular vacation dates and determining the number
of weeks the employee may earn shall be based on the date of original hire on a part-time or temporary basis. The amount of vacation will be in proportion to the actual time worked, part-time or full-time.

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None of the provisions hereof shall apply to the following:Publisher, Administrative Assistant to the Publisher, Editor of The Blade, Executive Editor, Editorial Director of The Blade, Managing Editor, Assistant Managing Editor, City Editor, Sunday Editor, Blade News Editor, Senior Editor, News Systems
Director, Chief of Washington Bureau, Officers of the Company, Controller, Assistant Controller, Financial Systems Director, Risk Manager, Credit Manager, Information Technology Director, Assistant Manager of Information Technology, Purchasing Manager, Advertising Director, Sales Development Manager, Retail Advertising Manager, Classified Advertising Manager, Assistant Classified Manager, National Advertising Manager, Advertising Services Manager, Circulation Director, Assistant Circulation Director, Circulation Managers, Human Resources Director, Human Resources Manager, Payroll Manager, Production Director, Marketing & New Business Development Director, Assistant to the Publisher, Executive Assistant, Manager Electronics Ventures, Systems Director, Operations Director. None of the provisions of this collective bargaining agreement shall apply to sons or daughters of the Publishers, whether or not they are performing bargaining unit work. Whenever this provision is to be utilized, the Company will inform the Guild, by written notice in advance, the son or daughter, the general nature of the duties, and estimated duration.

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ARTICLE VI
SALARIES

   Wages in effect for the 2007-2010 contract are as follows less the health care contribution required pursuant to the attached Joint Council of Newspaper Unions agreement:
Scale listings here:
                                                                                EDITORIAL
E-1          Living Today Editors, Peach Section Editor, Financial Editors, Regional Editors, Chiefs of Copy Desks, Head Photographer, Art Department Heads, Farm Editor, Amusement Editors, Telegraph Editors, Columnists, Picture Editor, Sunday Section Editors, Magazine Editor, Religion Editor, On-Line Editor, Night City Editor, Assignment Editor:
                                                          Hired                                                           
Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
                1040.55                                   859.07

E-1a        Editorial Page Writers and Editorial Page Cartoonist:                                                                                               
         Hired                 
Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
                Beg         830.14                                     671.20                    
1Yr          942.63                                     771.64
2 Yr         1040.55                                   859.07    

E-1b        Assistant Editors:
                                                          Hired           
                                Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
Beg.        1014.80                                   836.07
1 Yr         1023.94                                   844.23

E-2          Assistant Art Editor, News Promotion Mgr., Columbus, Washington and European Correspondents, Re-Writes, Make-Up Editor: 
                                          Hired
Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
                1014.80                                   836.07

E-2a    Copy Readers:         
                                                          Hired
                                Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
                Beg.        787.27                                     632.92
                1 Yr         866.21                                     703.40
                2 Yr         1014.80                                   836.07

E-3          Reporters, Artists, Make-Up, Photographers and Miscellaneous Writers not included in E-1 and E-2:              
                          Hired
Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
                Beg         667.07                                     525.60
                6 Mos     697.14                                     552.44
                1Yr          725.44                                     577.71
                2Yr          803.53                                     647.44
                3 Yr         888.55                                     723.35
                4 Yr         976.97                                     802.30

E-3a        Photo Lab Technician:
                                                          Hired
                                Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
                Beg         671.36                                     529.43
                1 Yr         714.88                                     568.29
                2 Yr         758.48                                     607.22
                3 Yr         802.14                                     646.19

E-4          Head Librarian:
                                                          Hired
                                Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
                                976.97                                     802.30

E-5          Librarians:            
                                                          Hired
                                Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
                 Beg        583.79                                     451.24                    
                6 Mos     618.11                                     481.88
                1 Yr         651.62                                     511.81
                2 Yr         685.97                                     542.48
                3 Yr         731.42                                     583.05

E-6          Editorial Clerks and Typists:             
                                                          Hired
Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07         
                Beg         541.79                                     413.74
                6 Mos     576.04                                     444.32
                1 Yr         600.04                                     465.75
                2 Yr         635.29                                     497.22
                3 Yr         669.62                                     527.87

E-7          News Assistant:
                                                          Hired                           
Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
                Beg         583.79                                     451.24
                6 Mos     618.11                                     481.88
                1 Yr         651.62                                     511.81
                2 Yr         685.97                                     542.48
                3 Yr         731.42                                     583.05

                                                                                ADVERTISING
A-1         Head of Art Department, Classified Sales Supervisor, General Advertising Supervisor:
                                                                          Hired
                                                Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
Not less than        1040.55                                   859.07    

A-2         Assistant Manager of Advertising Services:
                                                                          Hired
                                                Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
Not less than        1014.80                                   836.07

A-3         Primary compensation by Commission Plan
                Rates to be used for compensation for items like: holidays, vacations, overtime, sick leave, etc. will be the E-3 rate. This is defined in the Advertising Commission/Bonus Plan
Local Display, Classified Outside Sales, National/General Advertising Sales, Make-Up, and Digital Media Sales Specialist:
               

A-5         Primary compensation by Commission Plan
                Rates to be used for compensation for items like: holidays, vacations, overtime, sick leave, etc. will be the E-5 rate. This is defined in the Advertising Commission/Bonus Plan
Classified Salespersons:    
               

A-6         Classified Telephone Manager:
                                                                          Hired
                                                Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
Not less than        789.31                                     634.74

A-7         Classified Inside Sales Supervisor:
                                                                          Hired
                                                Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
Not less than        738.04                                     588.96

A-8         Copy Messengers:             
                                                          Hired
                                Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
                Beg         538.27                                     410.60
                6 Mos     558.01                                     428.22

A-9         Copy Clerks:
                                                          Hired
                                Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
                Beg         575.22                                     443.59
                6 Mos     592.37                                     458.90
                1 Yr         612.08                                     476.50
                2 Yr         637.88                                     499.54
                3 Yr         669.62                                     527.87

A-9a       Service Clerks:
                                                                          Hired                                                                     
Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
                Not less than        684.22                                     540.92

A-10       Copy Control Clerk:            
                                                          Hired
                                Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
                Beg         541.79                                     413.74
                6 Mos     576.60                                     444.82
                1 Yr         609.90                                     474.56
                2 Yr         643.23                                     504.32
                3 Yr         685.01                                     541.62

A-10a     Classified Clerks: 
                                                          Hired
                                Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
                Beg         541.79                                     413.74
                6 Mos     576.04                                     444.32
                1 Yr         600.04                                     465.75
                2 Yr         635.29                                     497.22
                3 Yr         669.62                                     527.87

A-10b Classified Mail Clerk:              
                                                          Hired
                                Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
                Beg         541.79                                     413.74
                6 Mos     576.60                                     444.82
                1 Yr         610.34                                     474.95
                2 Yr         645.40                                     506.25
                3 Yr         689.23                                     545.39

                                                               
                                                                                OFFICE
O-1          Confidential Secretaries:
                                                          Hired           
Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
                Beg         610.42                                     475.02
                6 Mos     643.89                                     504.90
                1 Yr         674.77                                     532.47
                2 Yr         697.14                                     552.44
                3 Yr         729.71                                     581.53

O-2          Head Cashier, Ass’t Business Office Manager, Assistant Credit Manager:
                                                                          Hired
Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
Not less than        914.30                                     746.34                    

O-3          Cashiers:               
                                                          Hired           
                                Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
                Beg         575.22                                     443.59
                1 Yr         618.11                                     481.88
                2 Yr         666.17                                     524.80
                3 Yr         713.41                                     566.98
                4 Yr         763.20                                     611.43

O-4          Payroll Department Supervisor, Supply Services Center Manager, Circulation Retention Supervisor, Circulation Systems Supervisor, Accounting Supervisor:                    
                                                                          Hired
Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
                Not less than        823.32                                     665.11

O-5          Copy Runners and Messengers:
                                                          Hired
Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
Beg         538.27                                     410.60
                6 Mos     558.01                                     428.22

O-7          Stenographers and Secretaries:
                                                          Hired                           
                                Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
Beg         564.01                                     433.58
                6 Mos     585.50                                     452.77
                1 Yr         610.42                                     475.02
                2 Yr         643.89                                     504.90
                3 Yr         689.37                                     545.51

O-9          Bookkeepers, System Support Specialists:
                                                          Hired
Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
Beg         585.50                                     452.77
                6 Mos     624.11                                     487.24
                1 Yr         674.77                                     532.47
                2 Yr         734.04                                     585.39
                3 Yr         795.85                                     640.58    

O-9a        Assistant Stock Room Manager, Circulation Recorder, Print Shop Operator, Circulation Service Center Supervisor, Advertising Contract Clerk, Advertising Sales Assistant, Paper Inventory Clerk, Classified Adjustment Clerk, Payroll Clerk, Pre-Print Clerk, Credit Specialist, Marketing Sales Assistant:
                                                          Hired
Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
Beg         572.61                                     441.26                                    
                6 Mos     593.21                                     459.65
                1 Yr         613.82                                     478.06
                2 Yr         655.04                                     514.86
                3 Yr         706.58                                     560.87
                4 Yr         758.09                                     606.87

O-10        General Clerks:
                                                          Hired
Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
                Beg         541.79                                     413.74
                6 Mos     576.04                                     444.32
                1 Yr         600.04                                     465.75    
                2 Yr         635.29                                     497.22
                3 Yr         669.62                                     527.87

O-10a      Data Entry Operator:          
                                                          Hired
Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
                Beg         621.53                                     484.94
                6 Mos     653.46                                     513.44
                1 Yr         685.33                                     541.91

O-10b     Computer Operator:                            
                          Hired
Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
                Beg         717.35                                     570.50
                1 Yr         749.27                                     599.00
                2 Yr         781.22                                     627.52
                3 Yr         813.14                                     656.02

O-10c      Programmer-Analyst:                         
                          Hired
Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
                Beg         749.27                                     599.00
                1 Yr         781.22                                     627.52
                2 Yr         813.14                                     656.02
                3 Yr         861.06                                     698.81
                4 Yr         924.97                                     755.87

O-10d     Systems Analyst:                
                          Hired
Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
                Beg         667.07                                     525.60
                6 Mos     697.14                                     552.44
                1 Yr         725.44                                     577.71
                2 Yr         803.53                                     647.44
                3 Yr         888.55                                     723.35
                4 Yr         976.97                                     802.30

O-10e      Systems Coordinator:                         
                          Hired
Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
                Beg         667.07                                     525.60
                6 Mos     697.14                                     552.44
                1 Yr         725.44                                     577.71
                2 Yr         803.53                                     647.44
                3 Yr         888.55                                     723.35

O-10g     Programming Supervisor, Operations Supervisor:        
                          Hired
Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
Not less than        976.97                                     802.30    

O-12        Purchasing Supervisor:      
                          Hired
Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
                Not less than        888.45                                     723.26

                                               
                                                                MARKETING/DIGITAL MEDIA
M-1         Head of Art Departments, Head of Creative Services, Database and Research Coordinator, Marketing Manager, Digital Media Production Lead:
                                                                          Hired           
Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
Not less than        1040.55                                   859.07

M-2         Assistant Art Director, Assistant to Marketing Director, Senior Digital Media Producer:    
                                                                          Hired
Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
                Not less than        1014.80                                   836.07

M-3         Artists, Copywriters, Digital Media Producer, Marketing Coordinator:    
                          Hired           
Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
                Beg         667.07                                     525.60
                6 Mos     697.14                                     552.44
                1 Yr         725.44                                     577.71
                2 Yr         803.53                                     647.44
                3 Yr         888.55                                     723.35
                4 Yr         976.97                                     802.30

M-4         Marketing Researcher, Marketing Representative:
                                                          Hired
Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
Beg         680.80                                     537.86
                1 Yr         732.02                                     583.59
                2 Yr         783.24                                     629.33
                3 Yr         834.53                                     675.11
                4 Yr         888.45                                     723.26

M-5         Public Service Representative:
                                                          Hired
Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
Beg         577.75                                     445.85
                6 Mos     596.66                                     462.74
                1 Yr         625.82                                     488.77
                2 Yr         674.77                                     532.47

M-6         Receptionist:                        
                                                          Hired
Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
                Beg         541.79                                     413.74
                6 Mos     576.04                                     444.32
                1 Yr         600.04                                     465.75
                2 Yr         635.29                                     497.22
                3 Yr         669.62                                     527.87

                                                                                CIRCULATION
C-1          Regional Supervisor, Senior District Manager:
                                                                          Hired
Pre 5/29/07                             Post 5/29/07
Not less than