Tuesday, April 22, 2008

It's your turn -- vote!

Your chance to affect the future of The Newspaper Guild is here. By now, your ballots have probably arrived in the mail, and you have until April 29 to cast your votes. As one of the only labor unions to allow its members to directly elect its top officers, the Guild is among the most democratic unions in the nation. So take advantage of it.

The Guild international's top three posts are being contested. Incumbent president Linda Foley is being challenged by Secretary-Treasurer Bernie Lunzer. International chairwoman Carol Rothman is running against regional VP Scott Stephens for secretary-treasurer. And Connie Knox, regional VP, is running against Lois Kirkup, regional VP, for international chairwoman.

Regardless of who you choose, I hope you'll vote. Need more information? You can read up on the candidates and campaigns at the following websites -- www.teamguild.org and www.astrongerguild.org -- or in the Guild Reporter.

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Cash for college

You know the usual benefits of union membership -- a voice in your workplace, the opportunity to bargain your wages working conditions and benefits, representation when your boss is picking on you.

But there are other benefits as well, including college scholarships for members and their families. The deadline for the Communications Workers of America Joe Beirne Foundation scholarships is coming up at the end of this month.

The Beirne Foundation offers 30 scholarships of up to $3,000 each to members of the Guild and other CWA members and their families. Anyone who receives the scholarship, will receive the money for a second year as well, given satisfactory academic achievement.

Those eligible include spouses, children and grandchildren, including dependents of retired, laid-off, or deceased members. Applicants must be high school graduates or high school students who will graduate during the year in which they apply. Undergraduate and graduate students returning to school are also eligible.

Applications must be filled out online at the Foundation's website: http://www.cwa-union.org/members/beirne/ by April 30. More information is also available at that site.

The scholarship program is funded by donations from CWA locals.

Members of the Northern California Media Workers Guild have been recipients of the scholarships in the recent past. So, yes, it really is worth giving it a shot.