In quick time, the minor row over pay cuts and the queries on the equality of sacrifices were sufficiently stifled. A day after the infamous editorial meeting, one manager approached me to ask about my protests during that meeting. I kept a straight face as he attempted to let me know that management was doing what was best for us and that he cared very much for my opinion. He also confided that he didn’t care as much for the opinion of another particularly vocal member of the editorial staff.

Perhaps the inclusion of more workers into the list of “essential” staff” aided in quelling the noise surrounding the pay-cuts.  But, it was really time which was the most effective mediator at the R. Allen Stanford newspaper company. Over the passage of time, some line staff  took to treating the pay cut and reduction of the work week by one day as some sort of reward. Indeed, I remember, quite clearly, one staff member mourning the loss of her “day off”, after she and her group were transferred into the essential staff bracket.

More and more, some members of staff took to gravitating towards my desk to discuss their woes.  At first, I took them seriously. But, I quickly realized, yet again, that the discussions were of the shallowest nature and that things would go no further than the muttering near my station. And, of course, among those gathering about my desk were the “messengers” who were sent to divine things.  You can always tell the messengers/spies- no matter how hard they try to play the worried villager part.

I received the formal letter announcing my inclusion in the list of essential staff on All Fools Day- no joke. The letter explained that that as an essential, I would receive the lesser 5% salary cut- beginning 1^st April. Earlier, I'd asked for this letter to be re-written with certain specifics (like my new salary, for instance) worked in since the original was sketchy on details. I got the feeling my persistence on this simple matter was not well received.

It was not long before we got word that all employees would be severed and some recalled.  General staff meetings were very few and far in between. Indeed, during one such rare meeting, staff was assured that management was not really fond of these large meetings…. Something about not seeing the purpose behind them. The preferred route of management was to have smaller meetings with each department.

And, perhaps, it was these departmental meetings which made it possible for rumours to be generated that the editorial department (as opposed to the print plant, production, sales and other staff) was being particularly difficult.  Staff members from the print plant would alert us that they heard we were being particularly and unnecessarily difficult at a time when the company needed all hands on deck

I remember one writer and editor got the bright idea that what workers needed now, more than ever, was a Union. The unionized worker was not a thing encouraged in Stanford companies.  I was not in Antigua when the list of workers interested in being unionized was produced. But, some kind soul took to putting my name down. I returned a week later to learn that the union idea was dead. I was informed that one or two workers had gone around dissuading others and that those who had expressed interest began asking for their names to be removed from the list.

I was also told that the writer and editor who had come up with the idea had had another bright idea to sound the original idea off management. And, as can be imagined, management was, reportedly, quite perplexed as to why workers felt they needed representation outside of management….

Coming Next Tuesday: #16 The Road to Unemployment cont.

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