With the surprise sale of the Star Tribune announced just after Christmas, employees there fear possible layoffs. The Star Tribune sale to a New York investment group came at the end of a year in which its cross-river rival Pioneer Press went through three owners. The Pioneer Press cut 40 jobs after the last sale.

Guild members at both newspapers have created websites to keep members and the public abreast of new developments.

The Star Tribune Guild members\' website is www.stribguild.com Guild membership at the Star Tribune is about 400 members (Star Tribune employees also are represented by other unions).

The Pioneer Press Guild members\' website is www.stpaulguild.com  Guild membership at the Pioneer Press is about 380 members (the Pioneer Press is a wall-to-wall shop).

The Guild contract for the Pioneer Press expires this year.

Steve Share edits the Minneapolis Labor Review. Reprinted from the Feb. 22, 2007, issue of the newspaper.