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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It’s official. We’ve negotiated a legal settlement with management that sets our election details.

We thought we would get only three or four polling places, so we were really happy to sign off on seven. The preferred location for you to vote is based on your regular work site, but you’re free to vote at any other location within the designated time.

Voting times for each location follow…

Antioch: 2-4 p.m.
Fremont: 1-3 p.m.
Hayward: 9-11 a.m.
Oakland: 9-11 a.m.
Pleasanton (Spring St.): 1-3 p.m.
Richmond: 10 a.m.-noon
Walnut Creek: 10 a.m.–noon and 4-7 p.m.

We asked the company for an alternate voting day for those on vacation or otherwise unable to make it to work that day, but we didn’t get it. So if you don’t work on Friday, or if you have a planned day off, you will not get another opportunity to vote…

We hope that won’t stop you. This is it. The future of our guild hinges on your willingness to take the time to come to the polls.

To ensure you vote is counted, please plan ahead. The company has said it will make time during the work day for everyone to vote, but you need to know in advance where you will vote, and what times your poll is open. (more…)