Update, March 26: As we noted in our bargaining bulletin Tuesday, talks exploring the possibility of merging the BANG-EB bargaining unit with the unit representing the Mercury News have failed to reach agreement.

So all parties now return to expedited bargaining to secure separate contracts. In our case, that means we’ll be back at the table with the company next week, continuing to negotiate a first contract for BANG-East Bay.

At the request of both the Guild and the company, David Weinberg, a federal mediator with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, will remain involved in the talks.

We look forward to continuing our productive relationship with management. Our top goal is to reach agreement as soon as possible on a tentative contract, which must then be ratified by a vote of our members. Previous bargaining sessions have led t tentative agreement on many non-economic items, and our bargaining team also has offered comprehensive proposals on pay and benefits.

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March 24: Bargaining committees representing the two largest MediaNews Group Guild units in the Bay Area will resume expedited negotiations for individual contracts after talks about a proposed merger of the units failed to produce an agreement Monday.

A meeting of the Guild and management committees was held Monday with David Weinberg, a federal mediator with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

Negotiations for a Guild contract with the Mercury News will resume Thursday, while talks for a contract covering BANG-EB employees will resume next week. Weinberg will remain involved at the behest of both the Guild and the company in order to help us reach separate contracts as soon as possible.

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Update, Feb. 1: Hoping to help avoid further layoffs, Guild representatives on Friday agreed to allow the company to implement a one-week, unpaid furlough for union-represented employees at BANG-EB, the Monterey County Herald and the San Jose Mercury News.

Below, you’ll find answers to common questions about the upcoming furlough. If you have other questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us. As always, talk to any shop steward, or simply leave a comment here.

Thanks,

Sara Steffens
Chair, BANG-EB unit
California Media Workers Guild

Can I donate extra unpaid time to others?

Yes. At the bargaining table, the company agreed to allow employees to volunteer to take extra unpaid days, so that others who truly can’t afford this furlough can take less time off or none at all.

The easiest way to swap unpaid time is to make a deal with another bargaining unit member in your own department. You should work this out directly with the person, then go to your manager to get the OK. All time trades are subject to company approval, and will include consideration of whether the swap meets the company’s economic goals.

If you want to swap time, but can’t find someone to trade with, contact the Guild.

And let us know if this furlough presents dire financial difficulties in your household — we may be able to help.

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