2019 Membership Referendum

The Local 39521 Executive Committee unanimously voted to conduct a Membership Referendum on certain changes to the Local Bylaws.

First, the Executive Committee recommends removing the “Executive Officer” position as one of the Local’s elected Officers.  The Executive Officer would instead become a salaried staff position appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the Executive Committee.  The Executive Officer would not have a vote on the Executive Committee. All members in good standing are eligible to vote on this question.

Second, the NewsGuild leadership has recommended the consolidation of California language worker units within TNG Local 39000, including the Interpreters Guild of America (IGA).  The Local Executive Committee supports this consolidation. Only members in good standing of IGA shall be eligible to vote on this question.

Click below to see these changes reflected in the Pacific Media Workers Guild Bylaws.

Revised Guild Bylaws

The Referendum

A)  For consideration by all eligible members:

Should the Local 39521 Bylaws be changed to remove the “Executive Officer” position as one of the Local’s elected Officers and to instead reflect that the Executive Officer is a salaried staff position appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the Executive Committee and without a vote on the Executive Committee?

B)  For consideration by eligible IGA members only:

Do you support the consolidation of California language worker units within TNG Local 39000, including the Interpreters Guild of America (IGA)?

To Vote

  • On September 16th, a referendum ballot will be emailed to the personal email address of all Guild Members in good standing with Local 39521.
  • The ballot with remain open until 11:59 p.m. PT on October 1, 2019.

To inquire about voting or to update your personal email address, please email staff@mediaworkers.org or reach out by phone at 415-421-6833.

A Message from outgoing Executive Officer, Carl Hall

Hello Guild Members — We sent out a referendum proposing a change in our bylaws. You have until Tuesday, October 1st to vote.

On the question regarding the Executive Officer position, I ask you to vote YES and here’s why:

I’m yesterday’s news, fishwrap, ready for the green bin. This is a good thing. I get to report my own departure from a job I’ve held since 2009, when I quit the Chronicle after 20 years, took my union-negotiated pension rights and became Executive Officer of the mighty PMWG, Local 39521.

The referendum changes my position — Executive Officer — from elected to appointed. It’s become nearly impossible to find somebody in the membership — our dwindling workforce of journalists and support staff, mostly — who would want this kind of position. But there’s so much talent out there. Rather than elect someone when there isn’t really anyone running, our 7-member board would hire someone.

This makes a lot of sense to me. It’s more democratic and better for the time we’re in as the Guild, CWA and other unions struggle mightily to survive.

So, vote YES. If you have any questions, you can reach me at 415-298-2265.

Carl Hall
Executive Committee Member
Pacific Media Workers Guild, Local 39521