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Reporters Say Braun Leaving U-T. Several Companies Reported To Be Taking Interest in Buying It, but All Have Financial Woes
"He tried to get a buyout but was refused and walked out in a huff." _____________________________________________________________ Damn those UT bastard who thought he was so valuable, that they wanted to retain him. How dare they attempt to keep one of their top columnist. The nerve of this company. Don, you make it sound like he was refused a promotion or denied a basic right that all employees have and walked out in a huff. How respectable is it that you request to be eligible for a buyout, ask for money, knowing you have another job to go to. As you and other bloggers have pointed out, he obviously had this job waiting for him. So he accepted the job, then thought he would try to get another years pay out of the company just for fun. Maybe David should just offer all employees, who get other jobs, a nice severance check when they leave...just for the hell of it! I am a huge fan of Gerry's column and like him personally and am very sorry to see him go. Meanwhile, I got my package, have enjoyed 20+ years at the UT and am very thankful for my time their, my pension, and all my memories. I know most of you will completely disagree with me. But I feel there must be others out there that have good feelings for this company as I do.— September 16, 2008 10:41 p.m.
Union-Tribune Employees Camp Out All Night in Lobby To Be First in Line To Get Buyout Forms
Don, How were you able to count those 150 people? Were you in town? My guess is no. The only option is that your source is an employee who is totally embellishing. They are completely crushing your credibility for all those who like your column and could clearly count. So, I really think you should start to question your sources a little better. Or, you should get a new source. They are way off. Perhaps you should name them? I sat in that line for over 3 hours. I can promise you that there werent even 100 people in line. Meanwhile, I think my buyout will be accepted and I will be very thankful for the nice payout from the company.— September 2, 2008 9:15 p.m.
Union-Tribune fights unemployment claims
Don, If, and I stress if, you want the facts, just ask the EDD. Companies have a cap for unemployment tax. I realize that fiction is much more fun and sexy. But I find the truth to be just as interesting. Plus it has the added bonus of being...a fact. Each additional claim does not add more cost to the company if they are at the maximum tax rate.— April 24, 2008 9:06 p.m.
Union-Tribune fights unemployment claims
Don, Once again, facts would be good. Most companies larger than 500 employees are at the highest tax rate for unemployment insurance. I am sure the UT is included in this group. If one of these people were to receive unemployment benefits, it does not cost the company a dime. Yes their reserve account is charged. But that reserve account is funded at a certain tax rate. Again, most companies larger than 500 employees are at the highest tax rate. Therefore, for the sake of redundancy, an added unemployment claim, does not equal additional money out of the company's pocket. Again, facts help. Perhaps calling the EDD before this article would have been in order.— April 24, 2008 8:17 p.m.
Union-Tribune fights unemployment claims
Don, Not too sure how good the Wisconsin school of Journalism is, but a small bit of research may have been helpful. I guess it pays to be a columnist as opposed to a reporter where we need actual facts. The California EDD, which is the decider of whether a person would get unemployment, approves a great majority of unemployment claims. In a previous life, I worked in HR in San Francisco, the EDD regularly approved unemployment claims for people who had, in one instance, called in sick 60 times in 6 months. Ask any HR person and they will tell you the same story. But since you didn't check facts before the article, I doubt you will after. Additionally, as is so common in our newsroom, you seem to be taking statements from unnamed sources as a fact that represent 100% truths. When, in fact, of the 2 people you quoted, Mr. Barfield (a fine journalist and excellent person) admits he was fighting the EDD more than he was fighting the UT. The other one refuses to discuss the terms of his severance. Is it possible that he is embarrassed to be complaining that he received 1 years pay (based on previous stories of yours). Perhaps your hatred for this company is blinding you from your real anger. It is the State that is denying these people's claim, not the UT. Our company has a lot of problems, but I still love working here. As a long term employee, I am appalled at what I hear in the newsroom. Rumors get accepted as facts without even looking into it. We are supposed to be journalist for crying out loud. Quotes from your friends in the newsroom, while getting no comment from UT and Talx (shocking that they would not discuss this with you), and not checking simple unemployment law facts should be embarrassing to you and the Reader. Fact check just a wee bit before you publish next time.— April 23, 2008 7:57 p.m.