Something big is brewing for McClatchy's circulation department employees.
Last week I learned Modesto Bee carriers -- as many as 300 - were given 30 days notice by the paper, without explanation. Apparently the Modesto Bee is arranging for independent contractors -- or another company -- to handle home delivery, and do it cheaper than the Bee is now paying its carriers.
Now comes this word from an anonymous tipster:
Management called a [ ] meeting Monday for Circulation Distribution employees only. If it is your day off, you must attend. Word on the street from another carrier is that layoff are in store for DMs and ZMs. The source, even though a carrier, just like the rest of us, is well sourced from Downtown. The Country Home Delivery Manager can't keep his mouth shut.... The next bit of information is that our pay will be looked at. Gas is going up and I can't keep doing this anymore with lower fees...
The tipster didn't say which paper has called the meeting. I noted before it looks like Sacramento and Kansas City are arranging to dump their carriers, too, and outsource home delivery to independent contractors that will get it done for less.
I emailed Modesto Bee editor Mark Vasche for a comment; no response yet. And I can't find any announcement by the Modesto Bee about its termination of several hundred carriers.
UPDATE: A reader posts a common sentiment:
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I emailed Modesto Bee editor Mark Vasche for a comment; no response yet. And I can't find any announcement by the Modesto Bee about its termination of several hundred carriers.
UPDATE: A reader posts a common sentiment:
"Well as a [ ] carrier for the Star, I cant see how they can lower my pay and still expect me to deliver the papers. My check is a little over $500 a week and after gas, supplies, and taxes, there isnt much left..."
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20 comments:
-Kansas City are arranging to dump their carriers, too, and outsource home delivery to independent contractors that will get it done for less.-
Kansas City carriers have been independent contractors for years.
Years.
Yes, even after they stole the routes which were owned for generations by independent contractors, the Star then apportioned them to illegals, criminals and other assorted losers under the guise of being independent. Sort of like the old, "associate" game. You're still an employee, but we don't call you that so we do not have to live up to our obligations.
9:05 AM Don't you just hate it when they remember those pesky little details?
_AM Don't you just hate it when they remember those pesky little details?-
You lost me. What is your point?
Carriers have always been independent contractors, dumbass. They have never been employees. They cannot be laid off.
If you're going to try trashing on an industry, try learning a bit about it first. Otherwise, you are just another Michael Moore wannabe.
What is happening at the Modesto Bee is what happened at the Sac Bee. They are eliminating the whole Circulation Department. All Distribution is going to be turned over to outside Independent Distributors. All the DM's and ZM's are going to be bought out or laid off. All support staff will go as well.
The 30 day notice to carriers is done so the new Distributors can re-contract them at a lower rate or at terms not beneficial to them such as charging them more for supplies,charging them 1 dollar for each complaint, demanding that they come in earlier, pre-insert Sunday papers on Saturday afternoons, etc., etc.
Modesto, Good Luck.
10:15 AM
A little anger management training will help.
Newspaper writers write every day about things they have no knowledge of. So what's your point dumbass!!
The Monday meeting called for Kansas City employees only (Zone Managers, District Managers and Down Route Delivery Reps. Layoff are for these people.
The Independent Contractors are next with their fees lowered, especially those that have high fee contracts. Country carriers will feel the hit the hardest.
Thanks again Country Home Delivery Manager for your tips and leaks...
Oh what a tangled web we weave.....
10:15 Independent contractor status is simply a tax category for a specific type of employee, but employees they are and laid off they can be. Unfortunately, given their tax status they cannot get unemployment compensation.
Independent Contractor is a tax status especially when Star employees tell carriers what to do, send them notes, directions on how to run their business and in some cases run the routes for "independent contractors" when they get sick.
Independent Contractors is a tax status especially when the Star outsources the warehouse duties and the KC Star still sets up the warehouse everyday. I wish they would "help out" running my route everyday.
-Independent contractor status is simply a tax category for a specific type of employee, but employees they are and laid off they can be.
So now you're an expert on employee vs. independent contractor status? How about reading a book or going to the IRS website before you go shooting your mouth.
off.
12:26 Yet another big mouthed insult from someone too stupid to point out where, if at all, I'm wrong. Actually, one of the key criteria for being an independent contractor is that you can't tell them where to be, or what to do. If anyone should be consulting the IRS, it would be The Star. Unless they can take the day off if the feel like it, they're employees, period.
Oh, and for the record, I am an independent contractor.
Glad for your recommendation. Here is somethings from the IRS site on Independent contractor relationship.
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=179111,00.html
Behavioral Control
Behavioral control refers to facts that show whether there is a right to direct or control how the worker does the work. A worker is an employee when the business has the right to direct and control the worker. The business does not have to actually direct or control the way the work is done – as long as the employer has the right to direct and control the work.
The behavioral control factors fall into the categories of:
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Type of instructions given
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Degree of instruction
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Evaluation systems
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Training
Types of Instructions Given
An employee is generally subject to the business’s instructions about when, where, and how to work. All of the following are examples of types of instructions about how to do work.
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When and where to do the work.
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What tools or equipment to use.
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What workers to hire or to assist with the work.
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Where to purchase supplies and services.
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What work must be performed by a specified individual.
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What order or sequence to follow when performing the work.
Degree of Instruction
Degree of Instruction means that the more detailed the instructions, the more control the business exercises over the worker. More detailed instructions indicate that the worker is an employee. Less detailed instructions reflects less control, indicating that the worker is more likely an independent contractor.
Note: The amount of instruction needed varies among different jobs. Even if no instructions are given, sufficient behavioral control may exist if the employer has the right to control how the work results are achieved. A business may lack the knowledge to instruct some highly specialized professionals; in other cases, the task may require little or no instruction. The key consideration is whether the business has retained the right to control the details of a worker's performance or instead has given up that right.
Evaluation System
If an evaluation system measures the details of how the work is performed, then these factors would point to an employee.
If the evaluation system measures just the end result, then this can point to either an independent contractor or an employee.
Training
If the business provides the worker with training on how to do the job, this indicates that the business wants the job done in a particular way. This is strong evidence that the worker is an employee. Periodic or on-going training about procedures and methods is even stronger evidence of an employer-employee relationship. However, independent contractors ordinarily use their own methods.
If it is similar to what all employees of the Idaho Statesman got yesterday... One week furloughs for all...
-Oh, and for the record, I am an independent contractor.-
As am I. I have had many discussions regarding this matter with the entity in question.
It is perfectly acceptable to specify when the job is to be performed and where, when that is integral to the project. In other words, if there is a burst pipe in your basement and you have a dinner party at 6pm, the successful completion of the project would be to fix it prior to 6pm and the location being your basement. Those specific instructions as to when and where to the plumber don't make them your employee.
Same goes for the carriers-they can deliver them on donkeys if they want, but there is a time specific element to the project.
You obviously feel strongly about this, as do I. You would be interested in Senate Bill S. 2044 Independent Contractor Proper Classification Act of 2007, which unfortunately did not pass. It was sponsored by Senator Obama and cosponsored by Senators Kennedy and Clinton.
Well as a contry carrier for the Star, I cant see how they can lower my pay and still expect me to deliver the papers. My check is a little over $500 a week and after gas, supplies, and taxes, there isnt much left. The only people they can get to do it cheaper is illegals in my oppinion.
10:15
You are right they are all independent contracted carriers. They are going to outsource office staff and have contracted dm's
Advertising departments will be outsourcing all accounts to outside advertising companies.
In Kansas City..
My question is what is Zieman going to do about the Country Home Delivery Manager telling company secrets to independent carriers before the company tells its own employees? What a mistrust of company information. This is what is wrong with the Star. Talking to carriers in my drop, the source for these leaks is the Country guy both here and the the new drop on the Kansas side for Metro carriers.
This is not the first time this has happened with the Country guy. Looks like the guy can't keep any secrets but also does not have the guts to tell employees. He lets us carriers inform them. I feel for those guys.. So Zieman, What are you going to do?
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