The Pacific Northwest Newspaper Guild has no official comment on today's meeting with P-I negotiators over the effects of a possible sale (or, far more likely, closure) of the P-I. But a P-I staffer has forwarded over an email that the guild just sent to its members describing the session—a session that appears to have resolved little.

From: XXXXX

Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 5:51 PM

To: XXXXX

Subject: Today's meeting with P-I representatives

Guild and P-I representatives began negotiations Tuesday on the effects of the possible closure of the newspaper.

No proposals were exchanged in the talks, which lasted approximately 2 1/2 hours. Negotiations will resume Friday afternoon.

In opening remarks, P-I negotiator Calvin Siemer expressed the company's interest in reaching an agreement with the Guild over the effects of the sale or closure, and said the company regards the terms in the expired contract as a guide in doing so.

The company said it soon intends to file a federally required WARN notice in anticipation of the work force reductions.

The company confirmed what previously had been stated in Hearst's announcement on Jan. 9: namely, that the P-I either would be sold, continued as a scaled-down, online-only publication, or closed entirely within 60 days.

Guild Administrative Officer Liz Brown requested that the company explore alternatives to extend the 60-day sale period, and asked what the Guild could do to make an extension feasible for Hearst. The company said it would discuss the request and respond at a later date.

The parties identified severance, continuation of health insurance, accumulated paid time off and other issues to be discussed in the so-called "effects bargaining."

The Guild will send a written information request to the company to begin the negotiations, and began drafting a proposal on Tuesday afternoon...

Representing the Guild in Tuesday's meeting were Liz Brown, Guild International Representative Darren Carroll, Athima Chansanchai, Dan Kearney, Kery Murakami and Greg Roberts.

Representing the P-I were Matt Lynch of Washington Employers Inc., Calvin Siemer, an attorney with the San Francisco Chronicle, and Janet Grimley.