The NewsGuild of Greater Philadelphia

REMEMBER TO VOTE WEDNESDAY (OR BY EMAIL)

May 29, 2015billrossInquirer

The Guild Bargaining Committee met with the mediator and company officials today for approximately six hours and exchanged proposals. We hoped we would be able to get a deal to celebrate publisher Gerry Lenfest’s 85th birthday, but we made little progress.

As we said in our last bulletin, the Guild has set a strike authorization vote for next Wednesday (June 3) at the Loews Hotel at 12th and Market streets. All Guild members are urged to come and vote. The secret-ballot vote will take place between 5 and 8 p.m. on the 33rd floor in the Howe Room. The bargaining committee will be there to answer any questions you might have before you cast this important vote. If you are unable to attend the vote in person, you may vote by email. Hit reply to this bulletin and vote:

1) Yes, I authorize the Guild executive board to begin strike preparations
or
2) No, I do not authorize the Guild executive board to begin strike preparations

And if you haven’t yet signed our change.org petition, please click http://chn.ge/1JUpczq . We appreciate everyone’s support. The comments have been tremendous.

Bargaining continues next week. A session dedicated to Philly.com will be Monday afternoon. The following session will be Wednesday afternoon. A settlement remains one session away: Pay for health care, merge Philly.com into the main unit and drop this seniority nonsense.

Please vote. Please sign. And enjoy your weekend.

In Solidarity,
Howard Gensler
Bill Ross
Diane Mastrull
Cindy Burton
Melanie Burney
Regina Medina
Brian McCrone