A labor union dedicated to quality journalism through fair working conditions for the men and women who provide the news.

The Guild represents workers at The Associated Press, United Press International, and employees of the Spanish EFE News Service

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Guild statement on US Justice Department obtaining phone records of AP staffers

Posted on May 13, 2013 Last Updated May 14, 2013 Posted by Martha Waggoner

The Newspaper Guild-CWA and its local that represents AP staffers, The News Media Guild, demands that the U.S. Justice Department return all telephone records that it obtained from phones -- including some home and cell phones – of Associated Press reporters and editors.

The collection of these records is egregious and a direct attack on journalists, and the Justice Department needs to cease and desist such investigations. The ability of journalists to develop and protect sources is vital to keeping the public informed about issues affecting their lives.wtfdoj

There could be no justification or explanation for this broad, over-reaching investigation. It appears officials are twisting legislation designed to protect public safety as a means to muzzle those concerned with the public's right to know.

The suggestion that the news story 'scooped' an announcement for partisan political purposes only exacerbates the damage such actions can have on a free press. This investigation has a chilling effect on press freedom in the United States – a right enshrined in the Constitution. Please contact your representatives and the White House to tell them to stop this outrageous, abusive investigation now.

NMG member LoBianco is latest Best of States winner

Posted on May 08, 2013 Last Updated May 14, 2013 Posted by Linda Johnson

NMG member Tom LoBianco is the latest AP Best of the States winner, for a series of three exclusive stories on a nepotism scandal in Indiana politics.

LoBianco’s widely used stories detailed an influential GOP representative’s dealings that resulted in the House speaker urging that Indiana’s ethics laws be reviewed.

Two years of source-building brought LoBianco a tip that turned into great investigative pieces on how Rep. Eric Turner was trying to help the businesses of both his son and his daughter.

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Guild member Martha Mendoza wins FOI prize

Posted on Apr 01, 2013 Last Updated May 14, 2013 Posted by Martha Waggoner

From University of Florida news release: 

Associated Press National Writer Martha Mendoza will be honored as the winner of the 27th annual Brechner Center’s Freedom of Information award on Tuesday, April 9.Martha Mendoza

Mendoza is the author of the national award-winning series, “Access Denied.” For the series, the AP sent 120 of its journalists around the world to test the public’s right-to-information laws in 100 countries.  The articles revealed that while many countries passed new freedom of information laws in the last decade, more than half the countries ignored them.  It also showed how some new democracies were more responsive to citizens’ questions than older ones, such as the United States.

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EFE Proposal is “Take and Take”

Posted on May 02, 2013 Last Updated May 03, 2013 Posted by Tony Winton
logo efe

MIAMI, May 1, 2013 – EFE News Services Inc. introduced a new set of economic proposals this week calling for large increases in employee out-of-pocket monthly health insurance payments and cutting its retirement contribution by 25 percent. The Guild also questioned the company's proposal on non-discrimination language and a proposal for unlimited interns.

Wage and Benefit Cuts

The company is now insisting on steep increases in medical premiums – as much as 19% in 2013 and nearly 24% in 2014. The proposals given to the Guild are deeper than EFE’s prior proposal of a 15% reduction in medical premium costs.

That’s on top of proposals to cut staff salary by up to 9% of salary after five years of a wage freeze. Under EFE’s new proposal, the lowest paid employees would have wages frozen for two more years instead of a wage cut.

“Normally, contract negotiations are give and take,” said Tony Winton, the Guild’s chief negotiator. “With these proposals, EFE seems intent on pursuing a ‘take and take’ stance,” he said.

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NMG officers, other activists strategize at TNG, CWA conventions

Posted on Apr 29, 2013 Last Updated Apr 29, 2013 Posted by Linda Johnson
NMG 1st VP Linda Johnson, President Martha Waggoner, Secretary/Treasurer Johns Braunreiter, Administrator Kevin Keane, Retired Members Council head Adolphe Bernotas

NMG 1st VP Linda Johnson, President Martha Waggoner, Secretary/Treasurer Johns Braunreiter, Administrator Kevin Keane, Retired Members Council head Adolphe Bernotas

News Media Guild officers and other delegates attending The Newspaper Guild’s recent convention in Pittsburgh discussed the top challenges facing their locals and unions in general.Delegates from across the U.S., Canada to Puerto Rico also shared strategies for being more effective, particularly in strengthening our locals and winning better contracts.And they heard inspiring stories of organizing successes, including workers at the Dayton Daily News finally getting a new contract last year after a 26-year battle, and the Pacific Media Workers Guild starting an innovative mentoring program that gave students short paid internships, guidance and a positive experience with unions.

NMG President Martha Waggoner, who is also the TNG’s international chairwoman, told the crowd that the union’s fight is more important than ever.

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