Globe publisher gives a last-minute nudge

In an email sent this morning--the day before the Times Co.'s May 1 concede-or-close deadline--Globe publisher Steve Ainsley talked up recent sacrifices by Globe management; expressed empathy for the paper's union members and the sacrifices they're being asked to make; and spoke with what seems like guarded optimism about the course of management-labor negotiations. 

Here's the email in its entirey:

To all Globe employees:

All of us are anxious about the current negotiations and the difficult economic conditions that make them necessary.   While critical to the Globe’s sustainability, the issues being discussed will require sacrifice from all our union employees and I fully appreciate the hardship that entails.

I have believed from the start this sacrifice must be shared by management throughout the organization and we have taken several actions on that front. Management has already reduced 2009 compensation by at least 16% when you factor in both the wage reduction and the elimination of all incentive compensation.  The percent reduction is higher for senior managers whose compensation is more variable.    Management staff has been reduced by approximately 25%, which has also contributed significantly to broad-based expense reductions.   Additional vacation, a part of the original wage reduction package, has been rescinded.  I want to take this opportunity to thank all of those who have already accepted these moves for the benefit of this institution.

By all accounts the talks have been substantive and while there is much work yet to be done it is fair to say all parties are negotiating sincerely.  The stakes are simply too big to do otherwise and it is apparent all involved understand this.  I want to take this opportunity to thank all of those employees who have expressed their commitment to The Boston Globe - and that feels like all of our employees - via emails, hallway conversations or on the phone.  This spirit persuades me we'll emerge from this difficult period in better shape than when we entered it.

As we learn more in the coming days it will be shared with all of you. 

Steve