2015

AL JAZEERA - On Monday, November 9th Guild members at Al Jazeera America Digital will be able to nominate officers for their Unit Council at one of two meetings scheduled that day at the Guild office at 43rd Street.

AL JAZEERA - UPDATE: Management at the first digital media outlet to force a government-supervised election instead of voluntarily recognizing the union, has stated they will no longer oppose the inclusion of nine news editors in the newly-formed unit. NewsGuild president Peter Szekely responds.

AL JAZEERA - An overwhelming majority of the digital newsroom of Al Jazeera America has signed onto the effort to unionize with The NewsGuild of New York. The group has called on AJAM’s management to voluntarily recognize their union. They are still awaiting a formal response from the company.

LOCAL BULLETIN - NewsGuild of New York President Bill O'Meara announced  this week that he will retire on Aug. 31 “for health and personal reasons,” after 27 years working at the Local, including the last eight years as its leader. O'Meara will be succeeded for the remaining 16 months of his three-year term by the Local's No. 2 officer, Secretary-Treasurer Peter Szekely.

The NewsGuild of New York, CWA Local 31003, with a membership as diverse as our city, seeks an experienced union representative with bargaining experience ready to hit the ground running to advocate for, communicate with and organize news industry employees in the America’s media capital.

LOCAL BULLETIN - The Guild has opened nominations for its annual service award, named in honor of the late Tom Keenan. Each year, the Keenan Award recognizes a Guild member who “has performed above and beyond the call of duty in service to the New York Local, and best exemplifies the ideals of a true labor leader, in the spirit of Tom Keenan.” Nominations, which can be made by any member, are open until Friday, May 22 at 6 p.m. EDT.

LOCAL BULLETIN - Full scholarship applications for union members and their families pursuing degrees at Empire State College of the State University of New York are now being accepted for the 2015-2016 academic year. Students who receive the scholarship will study online through Empire State College’s Center for Distance Learning.

LOCAL BULLETIN - Should the Guild drop “newspaper” from its name? Should we revise our bylaws to streamline our leadership and governing structures? After months of discussion and debate, first by the Guild’s Administrative  Committee and then by the Executive Committee, both bodies recommended a “yes” vote on both questions. Now it is time for all members of the New York Guild to decide these questions in a referendum.

This month’s election results increase the chances that the Employee Free Choice Act – and the empowerment it will bring to workers who want a union – will become the law of the land. But it still faces a tough battle. So, a strong show of support from people like you may make all the difference.