Bargaining Update August 2, 2012 Members of the San Francisco Chronicle Unit met Wednesday to hear the latest word — none too encouraging — from the bargaining front. No decisions were made or votes taken at the meeting. Members raised many questions, and discussed a written set of answers distributed by union officers. The […]
Read MoreGuild scholarships awarded to bright members of the Next Generation
by Kat Anderson August 1, 2012 The Pacific Media Workers Guild has selected ten students to receive scholarships thanks to the generosity of our retired union members who donated to the fund. The scholarships range from $500 to $100. Our recipients were selected based on their academic records, service to school and community, and financial […]
Read MoreInterpreter and advocate Essam Elmahgoop dies
July 30, 2012 Essam Elmahgoop, a tireless activist who worked to secure bargaining rights for interpreters and advocate for immigrants and asylum seekers, passed away suddenly from a heart attack on Sunday, July 29 in San Francisco. He was 65. Elmahgoop was a dear colleague and friend to many interpreters and members of the […]
Read MoreCohen condemns job-killing corporations
CWA President Larry Cohen condemned job-killing corporations and the government policies that allow them to get away with it during a fiery speech Tuesday in San Francisco’s historic Union Square. Cohen was a keynote speaker during the biennial convention of the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO. Delegates from throughout California came to the event, including a […]
Read MoreCFI defends interpreter funds during Judicial Council meeting
By Anabelle Garay July 27, 2012 Judicial Council members deferred action Friday on a recommendation to take up to $6.5 million from the designated interpreter budget for other court costs. CFI officials told Judicial Council members that shifting the funds would deprive a significant number of people from access to justice while violating the federal civil […]
Read MoreHealth care troubles loom at SF Chronicle — members meet Wednesday
Chronicle employees are facing a critical moment as time runs out to reach an agreement that keeps our current health system operating and brings costs and revenues into balance. Negotiations for a new labor agreement with Hearst Corp. so far have failed to produce a settlement. Health coverage is the key issue. Our health care […]
Read MoreCourts propose wage cuts, added duties for interpreters
July 25, 2012 Region 2 court administrators proposed adding to the daily duties of interpreters while cutting wages by 10 percent and reducing guaranteed work hours. The measures presented by the courts during Monday’s opening bargaining session closely mirror those previously proposed in Region 3. The most significant proposals made by Region 2 to the […]
Read MoreReporter returns to the job after long battle in Hilo
Hawaii Tribune-Herald reporter Hunter Bishop, center in blue shirt, rejoined his newsroom colleagues at the Hilo paper after a long battle to win reinstatement following his illegal firing for Guild activities. Bishop was honored July 14, 2012 during a Media Workers Guild meeting in Hilo to discuss negotiations, which are set to begin August 8 […]
Read MoreIllegally fired newspaper workers settle with Times Union of Albany
The Times Union of Albany has agreed to offer reinstatement to three employees and to pay more than $800,000 in backpay and interest to a total of 11 employees who were laid off by the newspaper in the fall of 2009 in order to settle a case taken up by the National Labor Relations Board. […]
Read MoreCalifornia Federation of Interpreters Region 3 Bulletin: July 13, 2012
Region 3 Bargaining Update #1 Region 3 representatives proposed cutting interpreters’ pay, adding translations to their duties, moving to an hourly rate system and other measures during the first bargaining session. The California Federation of Interpreter’s bargaining committee requested extensive explanations of these proposed changes, and the courts cited desired cost savings and operational flexibility, […]
Read MoreEast Bay BANG Bulletin: July 3, 2012
Employee representatives of the Guild focused on non-economic issues Tuesday in Pleasanton as talks continued. East Bay employees demand equal treatment and an end to disparity of treatment between South Bay and East Bay units. As stated previously, despite business climate difficulties, employees insist that a high-quality regional news operation demands that colleagues work together, and no one should have […]
Read MoreSan Francisco Chronicle Bulletin #2
Health care funding discussed in second round of Chronicle negotiations Negotiations on a new Guild contract at The Chronicle continued Tuesday with a discussion of health care issues for more than an hour in The Guild conference room. Executive Officer Carl Hall re-established Guild concerns with new legal representation present for Hearst. Efforts are under […]
Read MoreHawaii Tribune Herald Bulletin: June 28, 2012
The Hawaii Tribune-Herald announced on Wednesday that the Hilo newspaper will be printed starting in August by West Hawaii Today, a sister paper in Kailua-Kona, which will cause several layoffs. The August 18, 2012 edition of the newspaper will be the last printed in Hilo, according to the company. The Tribune-Herald and West Hawaii Today are owned by Stephens […]
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