We’ve ratified our first contract — and now we have new leaders, too!

Members of our unit elected a new unit chair and vice chair during a meeting Saturday at  the CWA Local 9415 union hall in Oakland.

Oakland Tribune political writer Josh Richman (center) remains as unit secretary, joined by reporter and Unit Chair Eric Louie (right), and Vice Chair George Kelly, a multimedia expert and online coordinator based in the Walnut Creek office of the Contra Costa Times.

Louie, who works out of the Pleasanton office of the Valley Times, was among the original organizers of our unit. He took the gavel from Sara Steffens, the East Bay’s founding chair, who stepped down in anticipation of welcoming a new addition to her family. Steffens hopes to return to active Guild service in the fall.

Louie and his colleagues discussed an ambitious agenda Saturday that includes organizing a full roster of shop stewards and committee members. (Photo by Jane Tyska)

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…)

First, a large number of eligible employees in our workplace must sign a card
saying they want to be represented by the Guild in negotiating the terms and
conditions of employment with MediaNews. (more…)