Thursday, October 14, 1976
University Daily Kansan
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Newsmen paid retroactive wages
By JERRY SEIB
Staff Writer
As a result of a U.S. Department of Labor investigation, the Lawrence Daily Journal World has paid wages for overtime worked by its employees during the last two years.
Several Journal-World newsroom employees during the period said yesterday that they were having excess of the Journal-World's 44-hour work week. All said they had received checks and a letter in which the Journal-World issued them to confirm that it was paying without admitme liability.
Dolph Simpson Jr., president and publisher of the Journal-World, and Ralph Gage, the paper's managing editor, declined comment on the investigation.
Vernon Critics, wage and hour compliance office for the labor department, conducted
GAGE SAID, "We consider all the matters related to that to be confidential."
The investigation was begun early this summer to determine whether the Journal-World was complying with the Fair Labor Standards Act. The act requires employers to pay time and a half for overtime hours and employers to keep track of hours worked.
MELINA MEERS, a former Journal-World reporter now working for the Grand Forks (N.D.) Herald, said the investigation was an outgrowth of a complaint she made against her employer in January 1976. Meers said she resigned in January 1976, because of working conditions.
"Unlike many other employees in the office, I had eight years' experience in the field. We worked with much larger paper previously," she said. "It occurred to me that the nonkeeping of time records and nonpayment of overtime wages was not in keeping with other departments."
WHEN MEERS left the newspaper, she contacted the Department of Labor and was arrested.
Critics examined payroll records of the last two years. A statute of limitations prevents adjustment of wages further back than two years.
Meers said she received a check for workers six weeks after six months she worked at the newspaper.
ANOTHER FORMER Journal-World reporter now working for a daily newspaper in the eastern United States said she had received a check for $12. The check overtime she worked before leaving the Journal-World in October 1975, 1978.
She said another former Journal-World reporter now at her newspaper received a check for $812. Some employees, she said, received payments as large as $1,000.
The reporter said she regularly worked a 4-hour week. Other employees, she said, are expected to work 10 hours per week.
"YOU WEREN'T told to be there from sump to sandown, "she said. "But the only way I could do it was by writing."
The reporter, who requested not to be identified, said she had received a Department of Labor form with her check. The form, which included copies for the employer, employee and department, was to be returned to acknowledge receipt of the checks.
By returning the form, she said, employees acknowledged settlement with the Journal-World and relinquished the right to file suit against them. For the period covered in the investigation.
worked during an average week of the period investigated. Those averages were used to make payments to all employees, he said.
ONE REPORTER said several Journal-
world employees were asked to make
these comments.
Normal pay for overtime, according to Department of Labor Standards, is time and a half the regular hourly wage for hours worked in excess of 40 a week. Journal-World newsroom employees, however, were paid by salary, not on an hourly basis.
Therefore, the Journal-World didn't have to pay for overtime at the time and a half rate. It had to pay only one third of time and a half overtime because the Department assumes that all hours, above and below 40, are paid once in the salary agreement.
The reporter said that he worked a 44-hour week, but that there was always a chance he would work more hours. Employees were encouraged to take time off to make up for overtime hours, he said, but often didn't.
Another reporter, who worked at the
Journal World for a year a half before going
to London, was a reporter with the
Pacific News.
"In all fairness to the paper, I'm sure this
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kind of thing happens to all small newspapers in Kansas," he said.
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Correction on Village Set ad in Kansan,
Wednesday, October 13, 1976
20% OFF is GOOD ONLY for Thursday, Oct.14
Our walls feature art purchased from coast to coast over the years from art show and through personal consignment. All the art pieces are part of the Hideaway's private collection and number about 100 (oils, prints, watercolors, and oils). The stained glass used throughout the H hideaway was also recently acquired and was made during the 1890's.
THE HIDEAWAY . . .
Dine with us soon ... the Hideaway's philosophy has never changed — the best food for the best price is in a pleasant, comfortable restaurant.
A former Journal-World photographer now working for a newspaper in the Southwest United States said he received two checks from the Journal-World. The first check was for an investment for one month he worked. The second check was for the month originally left out.
EST.1957
newspaper's executives told him he could take his case in court if he wanted to pursue
The photographer said he had complained about the amount of payment because it was "only a very small part" of what he deserved.
THE PAYMENTS totaled $220, he said,
for the time from September 1974, until he
left in January 1975. He said he worked an
age of 85 hours a week during the perio
106 N. PARK
After he complained to the Journal-
World, the photographer said, the
843-9111
The photographer said he hadn't cashed the checks in case he decided to appeal the court. But he said he didn't think he would go to court because of the "hassle" involved.
WALTER GICKS, area director of the hour and wage division of the Department of Labor, refused to discuss the Journalism process. He resigned as process followed by his office in such cases.
Gicks said records of the investigation would become open to the public only if a lawsuit was filed in connection with the investigation.
"Any time we conduct an investigation and as a result of that, a repayment is made, that represents a voluntary payment on the part of the employer," he said.
--at 8:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday Night!
Lawrence's own Prairie Rock with your socks off. with Bob Wire & The Open Rangers
$2.00 cover
737 New Hampshire
Off the Wall Hall
SUA Indoor Recreation QUARTERBACK CLUB
Everyone Welcome!
THURS. OCT.14
Kansas Union
6:00 p.m. Forum Room
- Complete game film of the KU-OKLAHOMA STATE game
- Coaches will attend and will answer questions.
A Musical Experience Oct.15,16,22,23
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!
and, at the same time, decrease the potential for damage," Shankel said.
Oct.17 and 24 at 2:30 p.m. University Theatre
Shankel said he asked the group to meet again after two student representatives were appointed to the committee. The group was able to meet in about two weeks, he said.
Ticket Reservations 864-3982
"The objective of this committee is to determine conditions under which we can establish a safety policy."
Donald Alderson, dean of men, will direct the work of the group, Shankel said.
Del Shankel, executive vice chancellor, meet yesterday with Doug Messier, assistant athletic director, and representatives from Buildings and Grounds and the SUA to discuss difficulties arising from concerts in Allen Field House.
Concerts in Allen mulled
Monday-Friday...3to12 Foosball Wheels II Saturday...9to12 Pinball Indy 800 Sunday...2to10 Pool Drawing Every Week - T-shirts, Record Albums, Concert Tick
The University of Kansas Theatre and The School of Fine Arts present
Specific problems mentioned at the meeting were damage to the field house floor, excessive debris, spilled drinks, and other damage to the partial damage to other parts of the building.
Hankel said the meeting wasn't intended to result in any final action because the new committee would be asked to recommend a plan which will be forwarded to the chancellor...
This program is partially funded by the Student Activity Fund.
K. U. students receive seat tickets without charge upon presentation of current I.D. card.
Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living
- east 7th Street - Lawrence, Kansas
SPORTS TOURNAMENT
International Club
- VOLLEYBALL
- SOCCER
BASKETBALL
- PING PONG
- POOL
- BOWLING
- SOFTBALL
- OTHER EVENTS
- TENNIS
Register 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Oct.14
Cork Room II at the Union
or
Call Maria Rocka 843-8505
The International Club is sponsored by the Student Council.