New Pacific Media Workers Guild Merges California, Hawaii Locals

Members of the California Media Workers and Hawaii Newspaper Guild have voted overwhelmingly to merge their locals and become the Pacific Media Workers Guild, a move that TNG-CWA leaders say will strengthen the union in both states.

The new local includes the California Federation of Interpreters and represents some of the largest newspapers in the region, including the San Francisco Chronicle, the Sacramento Bee, the San Jose Mercury News and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. The local will be based in San Francisco with the current officers in place until new elections can be held.

"This is good news for our local and for the Guild," said Michael Cabanatuan, president of the California Media Workers, Local 39521. "The merger not only assures the Guild's future in Hawaii, but it melds the Hawaii and California locals into a stronger and more powerful force to protect our members and to help shape the future of journalism in the West."

Hawaii's Guild has been hit with major cuts in recent years, leading to the consolidation of what were once two major newspapers into the single Honolulu Star-Advertiser. "This is not just about surviving. This is a partnership with newspaper workers in California who are going through many of the same financial and workplace challenges that we face," said Hawaii Newspaper Guild President Derrick DePledge.

Guild units in Chicago and Gary, Ind., have also merged and another deal is nearly complete for St. Louis, Mo., and Peoria, Ill. "By building regional power and efficiencies, these locals will be better poised to handle the challenges ahead in an ever-changing media world," TNG-CWA President Bernie Lunzer said.