Union holds rally for the Globe

Hundreds of employees, union members, and just plain readers rallied today at Faneuil Hall to support the struggling Boston Globe, which is threatened with a shut-down by its owner, The New York Times Co.

"I'm just an old person in favor of newspapers," said Barry French, 66, who traveled from Freetown. "I wanted to come here for this."

The rally was organized by the Globe's largest union, the Boston Newspaper Guild, which represents more than 600 editorial, advertising, and business office workers.

The Times Co. has threatened to shutter the Globe unless unions agree to $20 million in concessions by May 1.

The Globe is projected to lose $85 million this year, according to the Times Co.

The rally captured a mix of feelings - pride in the Globe, concern for its future, and outrage at the Times Co.

"Shame on them," Globe reporter Brian Mooney told the crowd as he described the high salaries and benefits for Times Co. executives who are insisting on deep cuts at the Globe.

Many speakers said they could not imagine Boston without the Globe.

"Every morning, for 137 years, Bostonians have woken up to their coffee, their breakfasts, and their newspaper," said Michael Ross, president of the Boston City Council. "This is about our city. We'd fight just as hard to save the Red Sox and the golden dome."
(By Robert Gavin, Globe staff)