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2019 TNG Presidential Election

Bernie Lunzer

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Jon Schleuss

Bernie Lunzer was elected president of The NewsGuild-CWA in 2008 and was re-elected in 2011 and 2015. He served as secretary-treasurer (now executive vice president) from 1995 to 2008 after working as administrative officer of the Minnesota Guild. And before all that, he took Guild leave to serve as strike captain in 1986.

Bernie got a job in the Advertising department of the St. Paul Pioneer Press-Dispatch in 1979, requesting his union card on his first day. From there, he worked in promotion, circulation and the newsroom. He served on his first bargaining committee in 1981 and two more while unit chair in St. Paul. While administrative officer, he led negotiations in St. Paul and at the Star Tribune of Minneapolis, and other smaller units.

Bernie worked for over a year on a pay equity committee involving over 200 positions, while also serving on the health & safety and worker participation committees. The Minnesota local became a model for pushing into areas beyond collective bargaining by using joint worker/management committees to help address employees’ issues.

While Guild secretary-treasurer, Bernie assisted the Detroit strikers, representing the International Guild in bargaining in an attempt to secure a negotiated settlement after a return to work. He participated in multiple contract negotiations throughout the U.S. and helped locals in Canada and Puerto Rico on major issues.

Bernie served as a pension trustee while in Minnesota and is a trustee and co-chair of the Guild’s international pension plan. He helped to implement a new secure, low-risk plan as an option for Guild members. He has also pursued several alternative ownership strategies in the media industry.

Jon Schleuss is a Los Angeles Times data and graphics journalist, college instructor and successful union organizer who grew up in rural south Arkansas.

In late 2016, Jon and a colleague launched the organizing campaign that resulted in an overwhelming victory for the NewsGuild at The Times, whose newsroom had never been unionized.

The creative tactical moves and communication strategies that Jon helped plot and execute in Times campaign were replicated in successful Guild drives across the country.

Jon’s roots as an activist date to his undergraduate years at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, where he organized marches and served on the board of a nonprofit that advances LGBTQ rights.

Ten years ago, he became online editor at the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, where he learned the importance of leadership and innovation in a changing industry. He established the company’s social media accounts, promoted the use of blogging, and published breaking news online throughout the day.

Jon also worked as a reporter and weekend host at a local NPR station before moving to L.A. in 2013 to join The Times.

In the Guild campaign, Jon and his fellow organizers used their leadership skills and journalism smarts to unite the newsroom, outmaneuver the company’s anti-union efforts, expose pay inequities among the staff and report on corporate mismanagement.

For the past three years, in addition to his Times and Guild duties, Jon has taught journalism students how to code as an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California.

 

Bernie’s statement Jon’s statement

 

Bytes & bits: People’s World, Chicago AFT Staff Unionize

People’s World Turns

The 10-member staff of the People’s World joined the Chicago Newspaper Guild after winning voluntary recognition on Feb. 8.

Chicago AFT: Smart

The Chicago staff of the American Federation of Teachers won voluntary recognition for a unit of five workers at the union’s Chicago regional office.

NY NewsGuild Stages Walkout to Protest Elimination of Copy, Photo Editors

https://www.facebook.com/nyguild/videos/10154917808164302/

June 29, 207 – New York Times reporters and editorial staff left the newsroom at 3 p.m. Thursday in a display of solidarity with copy editors and photo editors. After a year-and-a half of uncertainty, more than half of the copy editors’ jobs are being eliminated. Continue reading “NY NewsGuild Stages Walkout to Protest Elimination of Copy, Photo Editors”

Journalists Mark Press Freedom Day with Campaign for the ‘Right to Report’

Members of the NewsGuild-CWA marked World Press Freedom Day on May 3 by launching a campaign to protect the Right to Report. The union is asking all those who treasure freedom of the press to sign a petition and join the fight to protect this cherished right.

Continue reading “Journalists Mark Press Freedom Day with Campaign for the ‘Right to Report’”

In First-Ever Coordinated Actions, GateHouse, DFM Workers Stand Up for Press Freedom

May 4, 2017 – NewsGuild-CWA members at 28 digital media companies owned by Gatehouse Media and Digital First Media (DFM) observed World Press Freedom Day on May 3 with coordinated actions to support quality journalism at the papers and to highlight the damage wrought by severe cuts in their newsrooms and other departments.

The activities, which included rallies and displays of signs and banners at work stations, aimed to raise awareness of the growing threat that “vulture” hedge funds pose to the nation’s community newspapers. Union leaders say the newspaper owners’ excessive profiteering threatens journalism at a critical time of politicized attacks on the news media. The events marked the first coordinated acts of solidarity by GateHouse and DFM workers. Continue reading “In First-Ever Coordinated Actions, GateHouse, DFM Workers Stand Up for Press Freedom”

Boston Herald Employees Boycott Twitter After Management Suspends Reporter

Managers at the Boston Herald got an unwelcome surprise after they suspended reporter Chris Villani – allegedly for violating the company’s social media policy. The 2013 policy, which requires reporters to get approval from the Executive Editor or his designee prior to tweeting breaking news, had never been enforced before.

Reporters launched a Twitter boycott – blacking out their profile images and refraining from tweeting. Continue reading “Boston Herald Employees Boycott Twitter After Management Suspends Reporter”

Workers at Digital First Media, GateHouse Join Forces on Press Freedom Day

Unionized workers at media outlets owned by GateHouse Media and Digital First Media (DFM) will mark World Press Freedom Day – May 3 – by sending a message to their employers: “Democracy Depends on Journalism: Invest in Us.”

Continue reading “Workers at Digital First Media, GateHouse Join Forces on Press Freedom Day”

NLRB Says Immigration Court Interpreters Are Employees

By the Pacific Media Workers Guild

The determination is a major — though preliminary — win for the Guild, which has been working to help immigration interpreters fighting for their job rights.

Officials at the National Labor Relations Board have found that immigration court interpreters should be considered employees rather than independent contractors.

The determination is a major — though preliminary — win for the Guild, which has been working to help immigration interpreters fighting for their job rights. Continue reading “NLRB Says Immigration Court Interpreters Are Employees”

Buffalo Members Bring the Heat to Bargaining

“Respect is a two-way street, isn’t it?”

– Sandy Tan
Buffalo Newspaper Guild President

Buffalo Guild members rallied outside The News, demanding a fair contract.

The rally was one of several recent mobilization events to demonstrate the members objections to the News proposal on health care. The proposal would shift health care costs to the employees, who have not had a raise in seven years. Continue reading “Buffalo Members Bring the Heat to Bargaining”