The Pacific Media Workers Guild shares this on behalf of our members at the papers owned by Sonoma Media Investments (the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, Sonoma Index Tribune, Petaluma Argus Courier and North Bay Business Journal. With SMI on the verge of being sold to Hearst, the Guild is seeking assurances that the Collective Bargaining Agreement and all of its terms and conditions will be honored by the new owner.

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Here’s what’s happening:

• We’re asking Sonoma Media Investments majority owner, Darius Anderson, and the Hearst corporation to make our contract part of the purchase agreement to ensure essential benefits, workplace protections and wages.
• Hearst won’t commit to honoring the contract or even recognizing our local union – Pacific Media Workers Guild, Local 39521. Darius Anderson, hasn’t committed to including the contract in the terms of the deal. 
• Getting Hearst to recognize the contract is not just about ensuring wages. There are many key provisions covered in the contract including job security, scheduling protections, representation in the grievance process, and health and welfare terms.  
• The contract covers your local journalists at The Press Democrat, The Sonoma Index-Tribune, The Petaluma Argus Courier and The North Bay Business Journal.
• Hearst has refused to recognize contracts and unions in other markets as well. Earlier this year Hearst purchased the Austin American-Statesman from Gannett and has not recognized their union.
• Honoring the contract and recognizing the union are the right things to do for the dedicated local journalists who work hard every day to make The Press Democrat, The Sonoma Index-Tribune, The Petaluma Argus Courier and The North Bay Business Journal the essential resources they are for their communities.

       Why now:

• We have been told the deal is very close to being finalized, which means time is short and the issue is urgent. We need Hearst and SMI to do right by the local journalists who keep local North Bay residents informed. 

What you can do: Spread the word. Join us in calling for Darius/SMI and Hearst to do the right thing by honoring the contract and recognizing our union. Please share this on your socials and tag Darius’ other businesses on Instagram: @wingandbarrel and @platinumadvisorsllc