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OLDER LOCAL NEWS Guild talks continuing at San Francisco Chronicle Our Chronicle Unit negotiators met today with representatives of San Francisco Chronicle management and Hearst Corp. in connection with the company's demand for cost savings and contract changes in order to stave off sale or closure of Northern California's largest daily newspaper. The talks are ongoing. Mercury News Bargaining Bulletin 9 Guild exploring consolidating bargaining units Media News and Guild negotiators agreed on Tuesday to hold talks in March to explore consolidating the East Bay and San Jose units. The exploratory talks, to be held under the direction of federal mediator David Weinberg, were sought by company officials. Dramatic cuts needed at Chron, says Hearst Guild set to meet with management Considering the worsening economic climate, the dire situation faced by the newspaper industry, and the continuing losses at the Chronicle, today's sudden announcement by Hearst management comes as no surprise. Guild leaders plan to meet tomorrow morning with Hearst and San Francisco Chronicle management to hear its cost-cutting proposals Steffens, Hall, Lunzer answer call for unions to 'step up' Neiman journalism blog triggers flood of comments If the newspapers of America are going to crawl out of the bomb-crater they currently find themselves in, unions like The Newspaper Guild are going to have to lose some of the Norma Rae routine and come to the table as true negotiators, with real ideas. The time for the same old posturing is over. BARGAINING UPDATE More talk, no deal yet for East Bay Fast-track bargaining moving forward Our Guild bargaining team met Wednesday with company representatives after exchanging revised proposals in talks for a first contract at the Bay Area News Group-East Bay. Discussions in a newly begun "expedited framework" have moved a number of issues closer to settlement but considerable distance still must be covered. Mercury Bargaining Bulletin 9 Mercury News wants $1.5 million cut from wages and benefits Mercury News negotiators said Tuesday they need to find $1.5 million by cutting wages and benefits paid to Guild members annually in the face of the economic woes facing the company. The company's announcement came at a bargaining session Tuesday that kicked off an effort by management and the Guild to expedite the process of reaching a new contract to replace the one that expired October 31.
A tune by George Kelly, BANG-EB Unit (with apologies to Peggy Lee) George on vocals! ! Podcast BARGAINING BULLETIN Our Guild bargaining team met with BANG-EB management negotiators on Tuesday and set our general approach to expedited bargaining, with a goal toward reaching a tentative accord on a comprehensive agreement by Feb. 27. We have no agreement at the moment. We will report out specific tentative agreements less often during this process, as we are negotiating large chunks of contract at a time. BARGAINING BULLETIN Contact talks under way at Daily News Guild members won protection in the event of layoffs during upcoming work furloughs and a pledge from management that all protected copy editors or page designers will be offered transfer to MediaNews offices in the San Gabriel Valley.
Resolution in appreciation of Luther Jackson For 14 years, Luther Jackson has been a tireless champion of newspaper workers, leading the San Jose Newspaper Guild during times of record expansion followed by painful contraction. Through the good times and bad, the Guild has benefited immensely from his steady hand, strong compassion for members and singular commitment to fairness and justice. Jackson changes jobs but Guild family won't let go After 14 years as executive officer of the San Jose Newspaper Guild, Luther Jackson stepped aside Jan. 31 as the San Jose local completes its merger with the Media Workers Guild in San Francisco. BARGAINING BULLETIN MediaNews furlough deal puts bargaining on fast track BANG-EB and San Jose seek new contracts by Feb. 27 Guild negotiators representing the BANG-East Bay, Mercury News and Monterey Herald units reached agreement Friday with the MediaNews Group management to implement one-week unpaid furloughs for bargaining unit members as a one-time cost-saving measure by March 31, 2009. In addition, the Guild obtained agreement for expedited negotiations with the company aimed at reaching comprehensive contracts covering both the BANG-EB and the Mercury News units by Feb. 27. BARGAINING BULLETIN Cheerless start for talks at LA Daily News Management proposes two-year pay freeze -- and worse MediaNews Group negotiators at the Los Angeles Daily News proposed a 24-month Guild contract with no wage increases that would also allow managers to continue doing the work of union employees. The company has also proposed a cap on annual vacation time to all that is earned in a single year as opposed to accrual that would allow for 200 percent. OBITUARY
Services in April for Dan Reed, reporter and Guild supporter Services for Dan Reed, a reporter at the Chronicle and Mercury News who died at age 50 on Jan. 8, are being planned for April 4. In the Merc's obituary, he was described as a "Falstaffian" character with a "legendary appetite for life and a ribald sense of humor." Mercury News Bargaining Bulletin 9 MediaNews negotiators on Wednesday proposed that the salaries of Guild members be reduced by 15 percent under the collective bargaining agreement now being negotiated. The salary of veteran reporters, editors and advertising sales people earning the current scale of $1,279.51 a week would find their pay cut $383.86 every paycheck, issued every other week. The scale for experienced copy clerks, now at $598.53 a week, would be reduced $179.56 per pay check. Media unions chart new course for recovery BALTIMORE -- Delegates from three allied media unions began a new push forward Monday through the morass of layoffs and bankruptcies. "Its really tough right now and there’s a lot of despair,” said Bernie Lunzer, president of the Newspaper Guild. “But we think if we work together, we can kill the despair with hope." Podcast
BANG-EB leader Sara Steffens sees need for change Despite having won the campaign battle, our new East Bay Guild unit still may lose the war for a new contract and stable collective bargaining relationship with the company, MediaNews Group. BARGAINING BULLETIN Guild outlines novel pay plan in East Bay talks No agreement to end 401(k) match The Guild proposed a pay structure for the BANG-East Bay unit today that could help unify and standardize pay for newsroom employees throughout MediaNews' Bay Area papers, while improving compensation for many now working in our unit. We worked with Guild leadership at the San Jose Mercury News to develop our plan, which would divide bargaining unit positions into three pay bands based on the nature of the work; regional beat reporters, for example, would earn in a higher pay classification than beginning local beat reporters.
BANG-EB: THE GUILD UPDATE
Solidarity: A message from the Guild's newest members So many of our colleagues were laid off, took buyouts or just left for more stable futures during the six months since we organized on June 13, 2008. Yet while it's easy to feel helpless and give up, a growing number of co-workers have decided to stand together through these trials to find better times. We thank you: it is your support that will bring us to our goal in 2009. BANG-EB: THE GUILD UPDATE We can twitter, we can party, we can ponder the news It ain't all good, but who said this would be easy? There's been an abundance of MediaNews news, and we've been making some of our own, too. Support the byline-striking AP members! Consider what life would be like after newspapers! Go twitter yourself! Also, please join us Dec. 27 for our year-end bash in Oakland -- everybody's welcome. BARGAINING BULLETIN Just cause standard and arbitration terms reached Management rights loom in East Bay talks Suspensions and discharges would be for "just cause" under contractual terms tentatively reached Tuesday between BANG-EB management and our Guild negotiating committee. Terms of discipline were reached as part of a package agreement that calls for further negotiations on "management rights" as proposed by the company. Guild news, Vol. 43-4
Executive officer praises ‘intense professionalism’ of members In his almost 14 years as executive officer of the San Jose Newspaper Guild, Luther Jackson has been in awe at how good the members of his union have been. With the merger of the San Jose Guild and Northern California Guild on Jan. 1, Jackson will be leaving his post. His last day will be Jan. 31. Guild news, Vol. 43-4 Northern California, San Jose units will merge Founded in April 1937 when the Santa Clara Valley was best known for fruit orchards instead of computers, the San Jose Newspaper Guild grew up with this economically vibrant region to become a leading voice for fostering worker rights and promoting social justice. Guild news, Vol. 43-4 1937 – Local 98 is born April 18 with a membership of 25. Stan Waldorf, city editor of the San Jose News, elected first Guild news, Vol. 43-4 Officers, R.A. members elected in San Jose, Monterey The San Jose Mercury News unit of the soon-to-be California Media Workers local elected its officers and representatives to the Representative Assembly at an election Dec. 12. The Monterey County Herald unit also picked officers and its RA members in a mail-in vote. Guild news, Vol. 43-4 An arbitrator has ruled that the Mercury News violated the Guild contract when it laid off a features writer in 2007. Sara Adler said that the company’s evaluation process, in some instances, was inconsistent with the contract in Article XIV, section (j) 1 and with the annual “PDP” evaluations. Ostrom elected Guild unit chair at Mercury News Unit leaders in Monterey also named San Jose Guild members have chosen politics writer Mary Anne Ostrom as unit chair of the Mercury News Unit, while in Monterey Jeannie Evers was elected to head the Herald Unit. THE DAILY GRIND
How MediaNews gutted the Santa Cruz Sentinel Newspaper owners like MediaNews look only at the profit-and-loss sheet. Others who own the successful community newspapers put resources into improving content. The Singleton model simply doesn't work in a town like Santa Cruz. But in Singleton's world, there's one cookie-cutter strategy, like it or not.
Berkeley panel examines labor reform prospects Steffens, Greenhouse of NYT and top union lawyer Our East Bay newsrooms that formed the Guild's BANG-EB Unit know something about workplace democracy, and the price some people must pay to keep it going. Now, one of our own is part of a national forum Jan. 5 in Berkeley focusing on restoring some balance to the system. Media Workers organizer Sara Steffens joins Steven Greenhouse, author and New York Times reporter, and AFL-CIO General Counsel Jonathan Hiatt in a discussion of labor law reform under the Obama administration.(Click on the headline for details and a link to a poster you can download.) Mercury News Bargaining Bulletin 8 San Jose bargaining to resume in January Guild and Mercury News negotiators today spent most of the bargaining session discussing proposals on union and academic leaves of absence. No agreements were reached. Bargaining is now recessed until January. Mercury News Bargaining Bulletin 7 Guild and Mercury News negotiators today spent a full bargaining session discussing contract language covering grievance and arbitration, holidays, work and family issues, no pay reductions and the process for determining the starting wage rate for new employees. BANG-EB: THE GUILD UPDATE East Bay unit hosts a party in Oakland It’s no stretch to call 2008 the worst year ever for newspaper journalism -- at least the worst year so far. So let’s send it off right, with high hopes that 2009 will be the beginning of better times for all of us. Mark your calendars and plan to join us at Ozumo, Sat. Dec. 27. Everybody's welcome! In other news: More layoffs coming in San Jose, and AP Guild staff fights for fair contract. Mercury News Bargaining Bulletin 6 Guild seeks alternatives to layoffs, pay cuts Mercury News negotiators, echoing the layoff forecast of publisher Mac Tully, on Tuesday warned of drastic responses to the company’s faltering economic position, in the third full day of negotiations with the Newspaper Guild to replace the collective bargaining agreement that expired last month. San Jose and Monterey unit officers nominated The following members were nominated at the Mercury News Unit meeting on November 24 and the Herald Unit meeting on November 25 for the office indicated: San Jose Unit Unit Chair: Mary Anne Ostrom (newsroom) Representative Assembly (five to be elected): John Fensterwald, Bill Russell (advertising), Janet Kim (newsroom), Chantell Pickett (advertising), Cindy Kolander (advertising). Monterey Unit Unit Chair: Jeanne Evers (editorial) FUTURE OF NEWSPAPERS Bay Area newsrooms fighting back against layoffs Search is on for real solutions Layoffs at the Santa Rosa Press Democrat and Bay Area News Group-East Bay have inspired more than the all-too-typical sadness and resentment being seen these days in so many newsrooms around the country. Now, the journalists are fighting back. Northern California members approve merger with San Jose New local to take shape Jan. 1 Members of the Northern California Media Workers Guild have voted by nearly a 10-to-1 margin in favor of merging with the San Jose Guild. That was the last hurdle needed to approve the merger plan following a similarly lopsided vote by the San Jose membership in October. Mercury News Bargaining Bulletin 5 Merc management proposes sweeping contract changes Mercury News management on Monday proposed sweeping contract changes, including the removal of advertising, circulation and marketing department members and assigning editors from Guild protection. The proposal came as the two sides exchanged initial proposals during the second bargaining session for a collective bargaining agreement to replace the contract that expired last week. Santa Rosa Press Democrat lays off 16, citing ailing economy Newsroom EAs and graphic artists hit Because of declining advertising and the deteriorating local economy, The Press Democrat is eliminating 16 positions, including 10 in the newsroom. "We have to cut additional expenses into 2009," Publisher Bruce Kyse told employees Friday as he announced layoffs in the news-gathering, advertising and business departments of the newspaper. "This is not a good day." BARGAINING BULLETIN Grievance procedure agreed in BANG-EB talks Negotiators look at health care, job security Our Guild bargaining committee met again with management Thursday, offering several new proposals and making progress toward our first contract. We also discussed some possible changes in health coverage. We reached tentative agreement on several important provisions, including grievance language that sets forth a procedure and timeline for filing complaints against the Company, and sends disputes that can’t be resolved to an outside arbitrator. Another section of contract language that details arbitration procedures has yet to be agreed upon. Mercury News Bargaining Bulletin 4 Merc bargaining to resume on Nov. 3 Guild bargaining with the Mercury News will resume on Monday morning, November 3. Our plan for Monday is to exchange contract proposals and to begin a discussion about various issues. JOINT STATEMENT News workers say local copy editors vital for editorial quality MediaNews Group eyes plan for offshore desk A MediaNews proposal to wipe out copy desks at newspapers across the country threatens not only hundreds of jobs, but also quality and credibility -- values the beleaguered newspaper industry needs now more than ever, Guild-represented newsroom workers at the company's California newspapers said Tuesday.
Merc may sell its San Jose building Shrunken news and business units could be moved Another MediaNews Group newspaper may be moving to a smaller home. In the past couple of years, MNG has relocated the San Mateo County Times, Oakland Tribune, Santa Cruz Sentinel and Palo Alto Daily News to leased locations. Now it appears the Mercury News may be next. MediaNews wants one copy desk for entire chain Singleton sees no limit to outsourcing MediaNews Group Inc. CEO Dean Singleton, who also serves as chairman of the board of The Associated Press, told the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association that his company was exploring outsourcing in nearly every aspect of their operations. "One thing we're exploring is having one news desk for all of our newspapers in MediaNews ... maybe even offshore," he said during the speech. San Jose Guild members approve merger with Northern California San Jose Newspaper Guild members on Friday overwhelmingly approved a merger with the Northern California Media Workers in San Francisco. If approved by Northern California members, the merger creating the California Media Workers Guild would take effect on January 1, 2009.
Western Guild locals meet in Bakersfield TNG unveils new communications plan Delegates to the Guild’s Western District Council got an early glimpse at a proposed revamping of the union’s communications program during a weekend meeting in Bakersfield. Carol Rothman, secretary-treasurer of the Guild in Washington, D.C., outlined a plan to expand the news content carried on the union’s main Web site, newsguild.org, while reducing the frequency of the Guild Reporter from monthly to bimonthly. BARGAINING BULLETIN East Bay negotiators swap proposals Noneconomic packages cover all but core money issues Our Guild bargaining committee met with management on Thursday to exchange nearly complete sets of proposals for all but the core economic issues. We reached agreement on a few subjects and scheduled our next session on Oct. 30. The Guild team also offered new details on our proposed multimedia training initiative. We are now at the point of exchanging paperwork among the company, the Guild and an outside video-training organization which offers custom programs for journalists. Mercury News Bargaining Bulletin 3 Bargaining postponed once again in San Jose Once again, the Guild and Mercury News decided to postpone today's scheduled bargaining session after the paper said the economy had delayed its plans to present a comprehensive proposal. There are currently no bargaining meetings scheduled. Norcal RA approves local merger Members of the Northern California Media Workers Guild’s Representative Assembly have voted in favor of merging with the San Jose Guild. By a unanimous vote Saturday Oct. 11, the Northern California RA endorsed merger and authorized a membership referendum to be conducted as soon as ballots are printed and notices go out. Members will be asked to approve a merger agreement along with new bylaws to govern the combined local. Mercury News Bargaining Bulletin 2 The Guild and Mercury News decided to postpone today's scheduled bargaining session after the paper said the worsening economy had forced it to revamp its initial proposal. Armstrong out as BANG-EB publisher David Rounds, Mercury News circulation VP, taking over Oct. 17 Tuesday's announced departure of John Armstrong as Bay Area News Group-East Bay publisher marks another step toward a complete consolidation of Bay Area news properties owned by MediaNews Group. Armstrong, a Contra Costa Times holdover, will leave Oct. 17. Mercury News circulation VP David Rounds takes over as president and publisher. BARGAINING BULLETIN
BANG-EB bargainers offer 'quality' proposal Guild Unit takes a critical first step to first contract The BANG-EB Guild bargaining committee met with management Wednesday for the first substantive discussion toward forming our unit's first contract. We proposed putting "quality" first in any new contract by making the following language part of an opening section: "The parties hereby agree to work cooperatively as newsrooms adapt to changed methods of reporting, illustrating, packaging and delivering the news. The Company and the Guild agree to the mutual goal of maintaining editorial quality as the paramount concern in all business decisions affecting the editorial product." Mercury News Bargaining Bulletin 1 Contract bargaining begins in San Jose The Guild and the company opened bargaining on a new collective bargaining agreement on Tuesday with both sides expressing hope a new agreement can be reached by the time the current contract expires Oct. 31. Guild members are being asked to attend a special noon membership meeting Oct 2 at the Guild office to approve the bargaining proposals that will be presented Oct. 8, when the two sides meet again to exchange initial proposals. Guild news, Vol. 43-3 San Jose members will vote on merger of locals Faced with the opportunity to create a more potent Bay Area union presence and the challenge of declining dues revenue, the San Jose and Northern California Guild locals are asking their memberships to approve a merger of the two organizations. Guild news, Vol. 43-3
Laid-off reporter works hard to find new job at union Let's be honest. For those who've ever worked for a newspaper, there is no high quite like seeing an article you wrote, or a headline you designed, gracing the front page. The first time your baby smiled? A close runner-up. Guild news, Vol. 43-3 Monterey Guild employees achieve a three-year contract After working without a contract since Nov. 16, 2007, members of the Newspaper Guild in Monterey ratified a new contract in late July. The agreement will extend until Nov. 16, 2010. Guild news, Vol. 43-3 Local newsletter wins more awards at 70th annual CWA convention The Guild news, the quarterly newsletter of the San Jose Newspaper Guild, won three awards at the Communications Workers of America print communications contest in June. Guild news, Vol. 43-3 As of press time, the Guild is awaiting a decision regarding the union’s claim that the Mercury News violated the contract when it laid off a features reporter last year. Northern California and San Jose Guild locals talking merger Combination could take effect Jan. 1 if members approve Members of the Northern California Media Workers are voting on a proposed merger with the San Jose Newspaper Guild. A majority of members in both locals have to approve the merger in order for it to take effect as planned on Jan. 1, 2009. San Jose members already approved the plan by a wide margin. The San Francisco-based Northern California local's memvership is voting by mail. Results are expected on Friday, Oct. 31. California Media Workers Guild Merger Agreement I. Purpose a. To further advance and uphold the interests and standards of current and future members of the San Jose Newspaper Guild/CWA Local 39098 and the Northern Q. Why is the San Jose local leadership considering a merger with the Northern California Media Workers local in San Francisco? A. There are three important reasons. In response to a need to address dramatic newspaper industry changes, the San Jose Guild Representative Assembly voted Sunday, Sept. 14, to recommend that our local merge with the Northern California Media Workers based in San Francisco. BARGAINING BULLETIN First contract season opens for BANG-East Bay A cordial tone for first day of talks Today our BANG-EB Guild bargaining committee opened talks with management for the unit’s first contract. Committee members expressed optimism about finding common ground and resolving the contract efficiently. Management voiced similar sentiment. San Jose publisher on the radio Tuesday in Silicon Valley Mac Tully on The CEO Show Mac Tully, president and publisher of the San Jose Mercury News, is the scheduled guest to be interviewed at 7 p.m. Tuesday, August 26, on AM 1590 KLIV's Silicon Valley business program. Tully joined the newspaper in February, where he oversees both the business and journalism operations. Listeners can join in the discussion by calling 408-575-1600. Parting Thoughts:
There’s a goodness in newsrooms, in journalists In my idealistic mind, good journalism could save the world. As a high school senior, I believed that journalists were the best storytellers. I still do. We can turn a magnifying glass to governments and schools. We can turn it on our neighbors and ourselves. Our words can sting, and soothe. BARGAINING BULLETIN Guild members ratify contract in Monterey Guild members at the MediaNews-owned Monterey Herald ratified their new contract Thursday. The agreement provides for 2 percent annual raises split between a general increase and merit pool; an employer match to the current 401k plan; and a new severance benefit for laid-off employees.
National Writers Union backs East Bay workers Statement of support for Media Workers Guild from UAW Local 1981 In a statment of solidarity, the National Writers Union protested the layoff of 29 newly organized BANG-EB newsroom employees, demanded justice be done by the NLRB, and promised to lend "any and all available resources to support our Guild brothers and sisters, including resisting any attempt by BANG-EB or MediaNews Group to use freelance and staff journalists as clubs against each other." Monterey negotiations bulletin #8 Guild, Monterey Herald reach tentative agreement on new contract Guild and Herald negotiators reached a tentative agreement on a new, three-year contract Tuesday afternoon. The agreement, which would expire November 16, 2010, adds an employer match to the current 401k plan and a new severance benefit for laid-off employees. Health insurance premium sharing will remain the same through 2008, but would increase for singles in 2009. 17 Guild members at MN to be laid off The Mercury News announced today that it will be laying off 17 Guild members, effective July 11. The job cuts will come from editorial (nine), advertising support (six) and marketing (two). Please remember that there should be no stigma attached to being laid off and that Guild members and community supporters will stand by and assist anyone who loses his or her job. You should be proud of your role in building an excellent newspaper and serving the community under the most difficult circumstances. The company will notifiy those to be laid off in Advertising and Marketing at home on Thursday night and will schedule exit interviews for those workers on Friday and Monday. Monterey negotiations bulletin #7 New advertising pay package proposed by Herald During the latest round of negotiations, representatives for the company demonstrated little movement on their part, which appears they're settling on what their final proposal will be. Guild news, Vol. 43-2 Mediator possible if early S. J. contract talks start Officials from the San Jose Mercury News said that they would consider bringing in a federal mediator to work with the San Jose Guild and the newspaper if the two enter into early negotiations. The newspaper is asking the union to open negotiations on a new contract early, pointing to the deteriorating economic situation facing newspapers. Guild news, Vol. 43-2 BANG-East Bay says yes to union A majority of newsroom workers of the Bay Area News Group-East Bay voted June 13 to affiliate with the Northern California Media Workers Guild so that they can bargain for wages, benefits and working conditions. The secret vote was the culmination of a nine-month organizing drive, one of the most-watched union drives in the newspaper industry in recent history. Guild news, Vol. 43-2
Tour through New Zealand wows veteran bicyclist I’ve been home two months, yet the memories of New Zealand are still fresh in my mind. This was my first overseas bicycle tour and longest time ever away from home. It was a thrilling and fun experience – the thrills coming from an evil invention called the traffic circle and trusting my folding travel bike (BikeFriday) to see me through all the unknown trials ahead. Despite a doubting trip leader, both the rider and bike proved up to the task. Guild news, Vol. 43-2 Training aids laid-off journalist For any journalist being laid off these days, it can be a wonderful opportunity. That’s how I looked at it when I left the San Jose Mercury News in July. After a bit of a sabbatical and a brief stint at Yahoo, I decided to investigate state-funded training. Guild news, Vol. 43-2
Scholarship winner an aficionado of roller coasters Lisa Marie Lahman, 20, a junior at Santa Clara University studying mechanical engineering, is the San Jose Newspaper Guild’s 2008 scholarship winner. She topped an impressive field of applicants this year to win the $500 award. Guild news, Vol. 43-2 Father of San Jose Guild executive officer dies Luther Porter Jackson Jr., the father of Luther Jackson III, executive officer of the San Jose Newspaper Guild, died April 22 at age 83. He was one of the first African-American journalists at the Washington Post and he served as professor at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism until he retired in 1992. Guild news, Vol. 43-2 After four days of arbitration hearings, the San Jose Guild and San Jose Mercury News have submitted written briefs in the case of a features writer who was laid off in July 2007. Citing contract Article XIV, section (j) 1 (Page 23), the union said that the company did not give due – or fair and objective – consideration to the writer’s job performance and career potential at the time of the layoff. BANG-EB organizers pause to celebrate June 13 win Congratulations from across the country Leaders of the Guild's unionization drive at the Bay Area News Group-East Bay took some time off to celebrate over the weekend as the congratulations poured in. Committee members said they were looking forward to continuing the historic organizing project this week. Their first task will be to welcome all members of the new bargaining unit and carry out a bargaining survey.
A majority of newsroom workers at the largest newspaper company in the Bay Area voted today to create a new unit of The Newspaper Guild - CWA, capping one of the most-watched union drives in the industry in recent years. At 8:05 p.m. local officials of the National Labor Relations Board announced the results, culled from seven workplace polling sites across the Bay Area News Group – East Bay (BANG-EB). NEWS RELEASE
East Bay news workers prevail in election A majority of newsroom workers at the largest newspaper company in the Bay Area voted Friday to create a new unit of The Newspaper Guild-CWA, capping one of the most-watched union drives in the industry in recent years. At 8:05 p.m. local officials of the National Labor Relations Board announced the results, culled from seven workplace polling sites across the Bay Area News Group - East Bay (BANG-EB). LETTER TO OUR COLLEAGUES
Decision time in East Bay We believe that our newsroom employees have much more to offer the paper than the fine journalism they produce, and that only by taking a seat at the table can we truly influence decisions about the direction of our craft and our company. We are a creative asset, and we believe our ideas can be put to more use than they have been. Joining this conversation comes with responsibility. A vote for the guild is a vote to get involved. That means effort. A guild is not a foreign entity, but an organic body. WE are the guild, and the guild is only as strong as our commitment to working together for a common cause. Standing together, looking forward A message from San Jose Dear colleagues at BANG-East Bay: The newspaper workers at the Mercury News and Monterey Herald have been awed by your drive and determination. With victory in sight, we look forward to welcoming you to the guild after your election Friday. A day in Berkeley for members of Bay Area Guild units Saturday's "One Big BARBECUE" sponsored by the East Bay organizing committee at the Bay Area News Group had all the usual fare -- hot dogs, hamburgers, salads. There was an appearance by Funnybone the Clown, who performed magic tricks and twisted balloons for the kids. And Steve Rubenstein and friends from the San Francisco Chronicle played guitars and sang. But the highlight of the day came early when Chuck Davis and Dave Ellis showed up in Teamster Local 853's mobile command center, bearing 100 copies of a letter from the local's top officer, Rome Aloise. The tone at the bargaining table Tuesday (May 27) was tamed, but there was little traction made in reaching a settlement on the last two issues — wages and management's outsourcing langauge. STAR TRIBUNE TALKS Minnesota Guild demands voice, eager to find solutions 'This is our newspaper' In a statement at the outset of negotiations, Guild leaders recognized the challenge presented by "the radical change in our business structure and the greater societal shift in media and information," and declared: "Yet, we are eager to find solutions. Given our resources, its inconceivable that we should not be able to compete." JOINT STATEMENT
Bay Area Guild units forge new coalition Coordinated bargaining at Mercury News, BANG-EB Never before have our publications so needed our creativity and commitment, our active participation in shaping their futures. And never before have we -- the workers of the Bay Area's daily newspapers -- needed each other more. Today, we announce an unprecedented partnership among the Bay Area Guild units. From here on out, we will work together to advance our shared values: quality journalism, quality jobs and first-class customer service. Mercury News bargaining team elected At Thursday night’s Mercury News unit meeting, the membership nominated and elected Bill Russell (real estate advertising) and Rick Tulsky (newsroom) to serve on the bargaining committee. Guild leaders met today with company representatives on their request for early bargaining. They gave us a few more details on the issues they want to address in upcoming negotiations. Many of those were in the letter addressed to the Guild, including a two-tier wage scale, vacation givebacks and health care increases. Berkeley awards three investigative journalism fellowships The University of California at Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism awarded three year-long investigative journalism fellowships Monday. The $45,000 fellowships will run through the 2008-2009 academic year, beginning Sept. 1, and are part of a continuing effort by the Graduate School of Journalism to support investigative reporting. Press Release Stronger Guild slate wins top spots Bernie Lunzer and his Stronger Guild running mates, Carol Rothman and Connie Knox, have been certified as the winners in The Newspaper Guild-CWA’s first contested international election in 13 years. News Release Journalists secure June 13 vote for Guild recognition East Bay campaign nearing crescendo Journalists at the Bay Area's largest newspaper company reached agreement with MediaNews Group management today to hold a June 13 employee vote on Guild recognition. The secret-ballot election will ask non-supervisory news workers of Bay Area News Group - East Bay (BANG-EB) whether they want to affiliate with the Northern California Media Workers Guild for collective bargaining on pay, benefits and work conditions. Incoming Newspaper Guild prez: Industry too pessimistic Challenger Bernie Lunzer, whose election as Newspaper Guild president is expected to be certified on Thursday, said he wants to have the union "actively involved in the direction of the industry." Ralph Spring Issue 2008
Light years closer to our goal in East Bay Special report on One Big BANG drive Organizers at the Bay Area News Group-East Bay petitioned for a new Guild Unit on May 2 after gathering signed union cards from a solid super-majority of newsroom workers. The petition was filed with the Oakland region of the National Labor Relations Board and moves the “One Big BANG: One Guild Universe” campaign light years closer to an historic representation vote. BANG-EB owner MediaNews Group, which wiped away the former ANG Newspapers unit of the Guild last year in a merger, now faces the prospect of negotiating with one of the most potent clusters of organized journalists anywhere in the country. Judge says she'll order SF Weekly to pay millions more to Bay Guardian A San Francisco judge said Friday that she would likely issue an injunction barring the SF Weekly newspaper from selling cut-rate advertising as a way of putting the competing San Francisco Bay Guardian out of business. Lunzer expected to win Newspaper Guild presidency Challenger Bernie Lunzer will win The Newspaper Guild presidential election, according to voting data obtained by E&P that indicates he has a lead of more than 900 votes with only some 600 potential ballots left to be counted. Challenger Lunzer leading Newspaper Guild presidential election Early returns in the first contested Newspaper Guild presidential election since 1995 indicate a possible change at the top with challenger Bernie Lunzer ahead of incumbent Linda Foley. SPECIAL BANG UPDATE Employees file petition for BANG-EB unit A commanding majority of us, the newsroom employees of Bay Area News Group-East Bay, have signed authorization cards to form a guild. So today we took these cards to the National Labor Relations Board and formally petitioned for recognition as a union. It's a great moment. Today we declare our bold choice -- to believe in a better future for ourselves, for our newspapers and for journalism as a whole.
Livernois named Herald executive editor Joe Livernois, a 24-year newsroom veteran at The Herald, is the paper's new executive editor. Luther Porter Jackson, Jr., a groundbreaking journalist and educator died on April 22 at age 83. A resident of Hartsdale, NY, he was one of the first African-American journalists at the Newark (NJ) Evening News and later at the Washington Post where he worked until 1963. |
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