Open letter to Romenesko

Copy of the text from a letter emailed to Jim Romenesko.

Thursday Jan. 12, 2012

Dear Mr. Romenesko,

St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Bill McClellan wrote a great column on Jan. 8, 2012, about Post-Dispatch retiree Robert Douglas, who passed away sometime between Dec. 14 and 16.

http://bit.ly/xJLIOR

Robert had health issues, but he was screwed over by the Post-Dispatch when they cut off his contractually promised health insurance.  The story outlines the situation better than we can. The story created a buzz in the newsroom and is gaining some traction in the community.

The United Media Guild feels that the Post-Dispatch’s actions contributed to Robert’s death and that it and the paper’s owner, Lee Enterprises, should be ashamed.  The Guild is calling on the Post-Dispatch to reinstate the health care it promised to its retirees before another tragedy happens.

Sincerely,

The United Media Guild Executive Board

TNG-CWA 36047

unitedmediaguild.com