Save the State Department of Printing!

Please call or e-mail your state senators to oppose SB 6867, which eliminates the State Department of Printing. Information on the bill is here. Find your legislators here. While it’s trendy to talk about running government “like a business,” this legislation makes no sense. For years, the department (with union-represented workers) has been self-sustaining in terms of costs. These... [Read more]

CWA Joe Beirne Foundation Scholarship Program

Fifteen partial college scholarships of $3,000 each are being offered for the 2010-2011 school year. Winners, selected in a lottery drawing, also will receive second-year scholarships of the same amount contingent upon satisfactory academic accomplishment. Part-time students, less than 12 credits, will receive half of the scholarship monies. Eligible for the awards are CWA members and their spouses,... [Read more]

Census jobs

If you’re in between things or are looking for some extra cash, check out the temporary, part-time jobs at www.2010censusjobs.gov. In the Seattle area, pay starts at $17.50 an hour.  Read More →

Teamster researcher reports on Seattle Times finances

The Seattle Times’ bottom line is improving, but the company still is not generating a profit, according to a recent review of its financial information by Teamster researcher Doug Henderson. According the report, cost reductions are moving the company closer to profitability. Henderson reviewed the finances of The Seattle Times on Jan. 6 as part of economic concessions agreements reached with... [Read more]

Who says no one loves us?

Valentines for journalists.  Read More →

Revolution, anyone?

What will you do to change the world?  Read More →

It’s official

Members assembled at a special general-membership meeting on Tuesday, Feb., 9, ratified the representative assembly’s hiring of Yoko Kuramoto-Eidsmoe as administrative officer. Earlier that evening during the executive board’s monthly meeting, Kuramoto-Eidsmoe stepped down as local president and vice president Darryl Sclater became president, per local bylaws.  Read More →

Don’t be a stranger

If you’ve vested in a pension plan with an employer, remember to keep your contact information current with your employer and your union after you leave that position. If they can’t find you, they can’t pay you. On my desk right now, I have ITU pension-eligibility notices for Vivian K. Lawrence and Donald B. Allen. Their last pension contributions were in 1985, so they’ve probably... [Read more]

Surely, we have heroes …

Do you know a member who did something heroic last year? The CWA district that we Pacific Northwest Newspaper Guild members belong to is District 7, and the district is looking for nominees for its annual Heroic Achievement Award. Winners receive a plaque recognizing their act. Here’s the official description. Let me know at seattleyoko@gmail.com if you know of someone in our local who should... [Read more]

Scholarships for Pierce County students from union families

Up to 8 scholarships of $500-$1,000 will be awarded to graduating high-school seniors from union families living in Pierce County who submit a 500-word essay describing their most rewarding volunteer activities and what they learned from the experience. Applications are available at the Pierce County Labor Council Web site. Deadline is Feb. 28.  Read More →

Notice of special general-membership meeting

At its January meeting, the representative assembly voted to hire local president Yoko Kuramoto-Eidsmoe to replace outgoing administrative officer Liz Brown. A special general-membership meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, to vote on ratification of the hire of Yoko Kuramoto-Eidsmoe as administrative officer. All members are encouraged to attend.  Read More →

Seattle Times pension proposal passes

The proposal voted on today at The Seattle Times main unit passed. The proposal was to indefinitely extend the freeze on company pension contributions, in exchange for a company match of half of employee 401(k) contributions up to 4 percent.  Read More →

Seattle Times main unit: Voting on pension proposal is TODAY

Voting on the pension proposal will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today in the Vancouver Room of the Denny building. Local vice president Darryl Sclater and I will be available to answer questions and discuss the proposal during the entire polling time, and a discussion session will begin at noon for those who may have missed earlier sessions.  Read More →

Meeting and vote info at The Seattle Times

There will be an information session on The Seattle Times proposal for an indefinite freeze of the pension plan at 3 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 27, in the Vancouver Room of the Denny Building. Voting will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 1, in the Vancouver Room. Fax voting for members who work out of remote locations away from the Fairview and Denny locations will be available. Please request... [Read more]

Important news for Seattle Times members

Your Guild leaders recently met with representatives of The Seattle Times about the pension plan for Guild-affiliated employees. After our discussions, we’ve reached tentative agreement on a proposal that will be put to a vote Monday, Feb. 1. Voting will take place primarily in the workplace, but we will make other provisions for people assigned to outlying bureaus, and members who are traveling... [Read more]