Guild Bulletin June 11, 2010

12 Jun 2010

Hawaii Newspaper Guild

This is an effort to let you know what the Hawaii Newspaper Guild is doing now that the Star-Advertiser has started up. Staff and an attorney from The Newspaper Guild's international headquarters in Washington, D.C., and  the Communication Workers of America, our parent union, are here to help us with the key issues facing the Hawaii Newspaper Guild, including: severance pay and pay-cut restoration for former Advertiser employees, concluding  the years-long contract fight at the Hawaii Tribune Herald, and negotiating a new contract at the Star-Advertiser.

We have requested a date for continuing negotiations for a new contract at the Star-Advertiser. The old Star-Bulletin contract expired in March but remains in effect during negotiations.

We're also exploring a merger between the Hawaii Guild and another local of the CWA that has several hundred members on Oahu.  Buyouts, layoffs and the merger of the two Honolulu dailies have sharply reduced Hawaii Guild membership. Being part of a larger, more diversified local would have advantages. Any merger will require a vote of all members.

We will distribute next week, by mail and probably by e-mail, information on  the HMAA medical plan the Guild local is arranging to offer to members who choose to enroll in it. It will be the same plan offered to Advertiser employees, but you would pay the full premium. Coverage would begin on July 1.

Finally: If you have useful information, or questions, contact:

-- Ernie Murphy, acting administrative officer, 808-531-5455, or emurphy@cwahawaii.org. Fax: 808-585-6465;

-- Suzanne Roig, president, 808-395-0464, gordons001@hawaii.rr.com

-- The local's new email address, hawaiiguild@gmail.com

Thanks ...

Suzanne Roig
Ernie Murphy