Pacific merger agreement signed

 ORLANDO, FLA -- Guild officers signed the merger documents this weekend to create the Pacific Media Workers Guild, a new regional local of TNG-CWA that combines Guild memberships in California and Hawaii.

The merger agreement was overwhelmingly approved in recent referendums by members of the California Media Workers Guild and the Hawaii Newspaper Guild. The agreement was signed Saturday, during the international Guild Sector Conference meeting in Orlando, Fla.

Hawaii Guild President Derrick DePledge, his California counterpart, Michael Cabanatuan, and newly elected Executive Officer Carl Hall (in photo, left to right) signed on behalf of their respective locals. TNG President Bernie Lunzer signed on behalf of TNG-CWA.

“This merger creates new opportunities for members in both locals, as well as our entire organization,” Hall said. “We have a lot of work ahead of us, and we’re eager to get going. We know that by working together, we can achieve a whole lot more.”

Guild officers hope to streamline operations and reduce costs by sharing resources among more members than otherwise would be possible for two standalone locals. Members in Hawaii faced a particularly difficult path after the recent shutdown of the Honolulu Advertiser cut some 200 jobs.

Hall, Cabanatuan and DePledge form a merger transition committee that met for the first time during the sector conference. Some initial recommendations are expected to be brought to the new Pacific Media Workers local Executive Committee this week.

 Photo by Yoko Kuromoto - Pacific Northwest Newspaper Guild