San Jose Mercury News guild members today ratified an extension of our contract through October 1, 2014.

The agreement passed by a 2 to 1 margin (45 in favor, 25 opposed), with 50 percent of the 138 eligible guild members voting.

Under the terms of the extension between the Mercury News chapter of the Pacific Media Workers Guild and San Jose Mercury News LLC, employees who use all of their accrued vacation by Dec. 31, 2013, will be eligible for two paid personal days to be used between January 1 and October 1 of 2014.

As with our previous contract extension, the days would not be accrued, meaning they would not be paid out if unused in the event of separation from employment.  The two days would be forfeited if not used by October 1, 2014. All other terms of the current contract are extended under the agreement.

Thank you for your participation and support.

Karen de Sa, Mark Emmons, Lisa Krieger, Mike Cassidy and Nhat Meyer served on the bargaining committee, with assistance from Darren Carroll of the Guild’s international staff.