Guild News

Notice of election - 3rd & 4th VP's

Karl Jendretzky — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:41:55 -0700

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An election will be conducted for the Third and Forth Vice President positions on the News Media Guild’s Executive Committee.

Notice of the election and candidate statements have been mailed to branch leaders for posting on office bulletin boards.

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CANDIDATE STATEMENTS

3RD Vice President and 5th Delegate

Sofia Mannos

The 21st-century labor movement and revolutionary changes in the communications industry need inspired leadership, creative thinking and visionary guidance. I offer you these qualities, augmented by an ability to understand the nuances of a new journalistic age.

I'm running for Third Vice President and I'm seeking your vote, your support, your vote of confidence.

I'm prepared to use courage and grit to help us devise appropriate compensation and navigate, not stumble through, this new era of journalism that crosses the platforms.

We're facing enormous change, including the push into multimedia and how to be compensated, equipped and trained accordingly. Newcomers to our company, as well as the veterans, all face similar challenges and should be equally represented.

I offer you a steady hand, fresh ideas and experience rooted in print, and complemented by radio, television and the Web.

To the quiet voices, I can assure you that you will be heard, as we work to protect jobs, improve benefits and maintain the dignity and integrity of our profession.

Please vote for me. Thank you.

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Don Ryan

The first day I walked into the Portland, Ore., bureau as an AP staff photographer, my first action was to sign a guild card. I am a strong believer in the protections, strength and unity unions give workers.

My first elected union position nearly ten years ago was as the first Representative Assembly photo rep. I was able to help achieve gains in areas such as increased mileage rates and increased eye care.

I stepped down from that position recently to concentrate on work as an Executive Committee vice president.

In the last ten years, I served on the Health and Safety Committee and took over as chairperson several years ago.

I served as a negotiator last bargaining session and am a negotiator this time around.

If re-elected, I promise to continue my dedication and service to keep our guild active, open and strong.

Respectfully,

Don Ryan

CANDIDATE STATEMENTS

4TH Vice President and 6th Delegate

Vin Cherwoo

I have been a Vice President in the News Media Guild for two years and I am seeking your vote for re-election.

I also served as New York’s editorial representative to the RA and am serving as a Guild negotiator for the third time during contract talks with the AP.

I have worked for AP for nearly 15 years, and understand the changing technologies and responsibilities that are driving the company. I know the changes are affecting the workforce and am committed to fighting the company’s attempts to increase workloads and implement quotas, as well as attacks on job security.

I have been a delegate to The Newspaper Guild and CWA Convention several times. I have learned many lessons from leaders of other newspaper locals, as well as those who represent members in non-media industries. I believe its important for there to be continuity in Guild leadership to take advantage of these learning opportunities.

I believe our leadership needs to reflect the geographic balance of our membership. I am the only member of the current EC based in New York and have made myself available on short notice to represent the Guild leadership in meetings with the AP at headquarters.

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Jim Ludwin

Guild members and colleagues,

I have accepted a nomination to run for Fourth Vice President on the EC.

As a Guild member for nearly 30 years, dating back to my service with Old UPI, I am concerned for my colleagues as the AP makes changes which could, in my opinion, be make or break.

I believe that the Guild leadership has members’ best interest at heart. I also think, that in a time of change at AP, the Guild may be a bit too set in its ways, though certainly not complacent with regard to its responsibilities.

Perhaps a new face or two could help spawn different ways of looking at the issues that face us. It may be time for all members to become more active.

Although I recently celebrated my 15th anniversary with AP, I also understand the need to pay attention to our younger, newer members to become more active.

Thank you for your support.

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2008-10-10 00:00

Guild Names Negotiators for AP Talks

Karl Jendretzky — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 08:01:40 -0700

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The News Media Guild's Executive Committee appointed seven members to the union’s rank-and-file negotiating committees for talks with The Associated Press. The talks are expected to begin in mid-October. The EC accepted the recommendation of the Representative Assembly’s committees for the AP-Editorial and AP Technology bargaining units, but decided to add an additional alternate negotiator. Alternates serve when a regular negotiator cannot serve. The negotiating committee will elect its own chairperson.

The following members were appointed to the Editorial Unit Bargaining Committee.

Vin Cherwoo. Cherwoo is a newsperson in New York Sports. He served as a negotiator in the last two rounds of bargaining and is a member of the Guild’s Executive Committee.

Don Ryan. Ryan is a photographer in Portland, Ore. He also was a negotiator for the last contract and serves on the Executive Committee.

Martha Waggoner. Waggoner is a newsperson in Raleigh, N.C. She also was a bargainer in the last contract and is the First Vice President of the Guild.

The Executive Committee also selected Sofia Mannos and Travis Reed as alternates. Mannos is a newsperson at the Broadcast News Center in Washington. Reed is a newsperson in Miami and serves as shop steward there.

The EC appointed the following members to the Technology Unit Bargaining Committee. The by-laws require that at least one member of the TU bargaining committee be present during TU bargaining sessions.

John Braunreiter, a technician in Milwaukee and the union’s Secretary treasurer. John has served as a negotiator in previous NMG bargaining and in talks for former Local 1314

Pat Turley, a technician in Chicago and a member of the union’s Representative Assembly, was selected as the TU alternate. Turley has served as a negotiator in previous NMG bargaining and in talks for former Local 1314.

NMG Administrator Kevin Keane will be the Guild’s chief negotiator, with assistance from deputy administrator Karl Jendretzky. NMG president Tony Winton will attend talks on an as-needed basis, while continuing to work during his leave of absence on contract mobilization.

Any tentative agreement must be ratified by a membership referendum vote of the Editorial and Technology Units.

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2008-09-12 00:00

Guild Election Notice

Tony Winton — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 07:00:19 -0700

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NOTICE OF ELECTION

NMG EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

NMG REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY

AN ELECTION WILL BE CONDUCTED for all seats on the News Media Guild’s Executive Committee and Representative Assembly. Nominations must be RECEIVED by October 5th. In the event only a single nomination is received for an office, that person shall be declared elected. Ballots will be counted Nov. 20, 2008. Please contact the NMG for a full copy of the election rules. The following offices will be elected.

Executive Committee and TNG Sector Conference / CWA Convention delegates. Three year terms starting Feb. 22, 2009. All members at AP, EFE, and UPI may run for office and cast ballots (except for TU VP).

President and 1st delegate

First Vice President and 2nd delgate

Secretary-Treasurer and 3rd delegate

Second Vice President and 4th delegate

Third Vice President and 5th delegate

Fourth Vice President and 6th delegate

Technology Unit Vice President and 7th delegate

Representative Assembly. Three-year term of office for both delegate and alternate, starting Feb. 22, 2009. The RA is divided into districts. You must work within a district to represent that district.

AP Broadcast: AP editorial unit members working for the Broadcast News Center, regardless of location, except those assigned to the AP Television Department.

AP Midwest -Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

AP New York Editorial: AP editorial unit member Newspersons and Artists working in New York City.

AP New York Non-Editorial: AP editorial unit members working in classifications other than Newsperson or Artist in New York City. However, any New York City editorial unit member may nominate a non-editorial member for this post.

AP Northeast: AP editorial unit members working in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia.

AP Northwest: AP editorial unit members working in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

AP Photographers: At-large seat representing all AP member photographers. To hold office, a member representing this district must be employed by Associated Press as a photographer. However, any AP editorial unit member may nominate a photographer for this post.

AP South: AP editorial unit members working in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

AP Southwest: AP editorial unit members working in Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

AP Television: At-large seat representing all members working for AP Television. To hold office, a member representing this district must be employed by Associated Press in Television or Video departments. However, any AP editorial unit member may nominate a television worker for this post.

AP Washington: AP editorial unit members working in the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.

AP West: AP editorial unit members working in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii and Nevada.

AP Technology At-Large 1: At large seat covering all AP Technology Unit members regardless of location.

AP Technology At-Large 2: At large seat covering all AP Technology Unit members regardless of location.

EFE News Service: At-large seat representing all members working for the EFE News Service.

United Press International: At-large seat representing all members working for United Press International.

News Media Guild Elections Committee. Date of notice 9/10/2008

CAMPAIGNING: Use of the News Media Guild stationery for campaign literature is prohibited. Upon their request, one campaign statement from each qualified EC, TNG Convention or RA candidate shall be sent with the list of candidates mailed to all branch chairpersons for bulletin board posting. Such statements of no more than 200 words shall arrive at the News Media Guild office no later than the deadline set for candidate acceptance, five days after the close of the nominating period. WiReport shall print these candidate statements, if provided, in all annual elections, and special elections if possible, prior to the mailing of ballots. WiReport stories should strive for equal space or balance about candidates in election stories, and solicit statements, background and photographs from all candidates. The language in this section shall be carried in all election notices, including lists of candidates.

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2008-09-10 00:00