Quality journalism is one of the pillars of democracy. But the profit-driven ownership of Digital First Media, the second-largest chain of print and online news organizations in the United States, threatens to undermine our ability to fulfill our mission. Guild members at a dozen union publications throughout the DFM empire have united in common cause, […]
Read MoreFriedrichs v. CTA and the case for fair share
Friedrichs v. CTA is about wealthy special interests that want to shift the balance of economic power in their favor, and make it even more difficult for working people to come together, speak up collectively, get ahead and help create an economy that works for everyone, and serve their communities in the best way possible.
Read MorePress Democrat talks result in increased parenting and cell phone benes
The two sides agreed to a substantial increase in cell phone stipends from $50 to $65 per month. In addition, new rules will allow parents returning to work to seek a part-time schedule for up to one year so long as the scheduling needs can be worked out with a supervisor.
Read MoreGuild negotiators say: Show us the money!
Guild bargainers and PD management narrowed their differences on a new contract and reached new tentative agreements Thursday.
Read MoreDigital First Media workers launch coordinated contract campaign
Today is the launch of a national, coordinated campaign to win fair contracts with wage increases for the nearly 1,000 Guild-represented employees of Digital First Media.
Read MorePress Democrat honors Guild photographer for fiery efforts
Santa Rosa Press Democrat photographer and longtime Guild member Kent Porter was announced as the paper’s Employee of the Year in a newsroom ceremony on January 7.
Read MoreMemorial for rough and tumble newsman Paul Grabowicz
Paul Grabowicz, reporter, digital media pioneer and journalism educator, died December 24. Berkeley J School will celebrate his life on January 23.
Read MoreTentative agreement reached at Sac Bee, McClatchy Editorial Production Center
Guild and McClatchy negotiators emerged from day-long discussions Tuesday, Dec. 15 with a tentative agreement on a new 3-year contract that boosts advertising commissions, offers modest newsroom pays raises, preserves the newsroom morning shift bonus and ensures company car fleet for the life of the agreement. After two gentle bargaining sessions, the room was decidedly tenser Tuesday afternoon with both sides at odds […]
Read MorePress Democrat workers recall sacrifices, seek some recovery
Guild negotiators have made it clear that employees expect to recover some of the ground they lost after they voluntarily agreed to significant concessions so that Sonoma Media Investments could complete its purchase of the paper in 2012.
Read MoreGuild-DFM talks shift to proposed new operations scheme
DFM management proposed to merge the separate San Jose and East Bay Guild bargaining units under one consolidated contract that would include all digital employees, who are not currently represented by the Guild.
Read MoreUnionizing the digital media revolution
A revolution is taking place in digital media. Workers at the companies that produce the material you read during work, share on Facebook, and comment about on Twitter are unionizing, and changing the Internet landscape.
Read MoreESL teachers bargain for prep time and a health plan
St. Giles’ first full proposal includes language on teacher definitions, vacation and sick pay, different options for health plans and the acknowledgement that teachers work more than the hours they are scheduled
Read MorePress Democrat members seek modest gains; owners want more give-backs
Management offered a contract with no guaranteed pay increases, instead asking the union to accept what non-union employees would get, and to tie any increases to performance reviews. It also sought to raise the employee share of health costs, take away a week of sick leave accrual and eliminate the no-layoff guarantee. The union’s proposals include wage increases, higher employer contributions to the 401K, continuation of no-layoff provisions and enhanced work-life benefits.
Read MoreMcClatchy seeks aggressive commission plan in push for digital sales
A management proposal to overhaul the advertising commission promises to be the key issue as contract negotiations between the Sacramento Bee management and Pacific Media Workers Guild opened Wednesday, Nov. 18 at the paper’s 21st Street office.
Read MorePress Democrat talks begin
Press Democrat Guild members met with management in Rohnert Park as talks got underway for the next labor agreement. The Guild presented a list of contract demands that included significant pay increases, improvements to retirement benefits, job security and work-life balance concerns. Management outlined the general state of business operations, including what it said are pressures on advertising revenues and costs related to investments in new technologies.
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