Settlement ratified

Whatta week !
More than 110 members attending dual meetings March 21 in our new hall in the Steelworkers' Building aproved an agreement that resolves two arbitration disputes.
The agreement spells out the conditions under which 6 exempt employees can write weekly columns and 2 exempt employees can write non-weekly columns.
The centerpiece of the deal provides full contract coverage for our part-time members who average fewer than 19-3/8 hours per week, a $50 per week pay increase at the four-year level for image techs in the photo department, a $25,000 reduction of the stringer bonus penalty ceiling this year, a $115 bonus for each Guild member (payable each January) and expansion of our jurisdiction on the P-G Website. 
We'll be contacting part-time members with the specific details about how the agreement affects them. Highlights of the settlement are available from any Executive Committee member or you can click on the "Latest News" link on our Web site, www.pghguild.com.

Next membership meeting: April 18

Have any thoughts about upcoming negotiations?
Bring them to either of our next membership meetings at 12:30 and 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 18, in our meeting hall in the first floor of the United Steelworkers' Building -- right next door to the Post-Gazette.
This will be the first informal discussion about the upcoming talks. We'll be conducting a membership survey, but this will give everyone an opportunity to discuss contract goals.

We'll also be electing delegates to the CWA Convention in July in Minneapolis.
This time, the menu at the dual meetings will consist of pizzas and soft drinks.

And the winners are . . .
Gretchen McKay will be attending the second game in PNC Park history Sunday, thanks to tickets from the Guild.
She was one of 21 ticket winners at our annual Spring party March 24 in the River City Inn. Also, nine members won Pirate caps and shirts,which were awarded during the social event.

The Guild owns a partial season ticket plan with seats for 20 Friday and Sunday games and 1 Thursday game.
Here are the other lucky winners:
Ruth Ann Baker, Ed Blazina, Brian David, Scott Deacle, David Fink, Ken Fisher, Erik Greenawalt, Joyce Howard, R.J. Hufnagel, Sally Kalson,
Dan Majors, Dennis McDonald, Steve Mellon, Bill Moushey, Pat Peters, Johnna Pro, Dan Rick, Grace Rishell, Patt Risher, Edward Robinson,Cristina Rouvalis, Bill Schackner, Margi Shrum, Steve Sybert, Marci Thomas, Monessa Tinsley, Cathy Tigano, Barb Vancheri and Ron Weiskind. 
Thanks to Keightley Amen and Mike Fuoco who organized the party and purchased the gifts.

Come along to the Fong-A-Thon
A group of photographers have contibuted more than 25 prints for an auction this Friday, March 30, to help offset immigration legal expenses for our very own ace photographer, Lake Fong. Among the auction material will be prints by the P-G's Peter Borsh, Franka Bruns, Gabor
Degre, Matt Freed, Steve Mellon, Jim Mendenhall, Doug Oster, Annie O'Neill, Martha Rial, Robin Rombach, Andy Starnes and Bill Wade.

Join Lake and his family at the auction, from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. at the LoFond Gallery, 1711 E. Carson St., South Side.

Last call for Scholarship
If you know a print journalism student studying reporting, photojournalism, pagination or graphic design, encourage them to apply for the annual Guild scholarship. The award is $2,500 for a single recipient or $1,500 for two scholarships.

For additional information, contact Liz Gray in photo or visit the Guild's website, www.pghguild.com.

Need a quiet moment?
There is now a sofa in the small (very small) conference room in Features, across from the copy desk.
Members should know that if they feel ill they can use the sofa, but they should make sure that if they close the door, it should not be locked, in case they get even sicker and need to be rescued.