Reporters, researchers, copy editors and community engagement specialists will vote July 17 on whether to form a new Guild unit at the Center for Investigative Reporting. 

Mail ballots will go out June 29 to CIR workers outside the Bay Area.

CIR, based in Berkeley, and The Bay Citizen, based in SF, recently merged, prompting discussions between the Guild and management. This led to agreement on a process designed to ensure a fair vote, and which should protect the democratic rights of employees to unionize if they choose.

Bay Citizen editorial staff already had voted to form a new Guild. But at the time of merger, negotiations for a first contract were still under way, and CIR has been nonunion.

We signed an agreement today that spells out election terms. NLRB staff will conduct the voting. We also have agreed to a code of conduct for management and union organizers.

The Guild will scrupulously adhere to this agreement and I am certain the CIR management will do the same. If this plays out as we expect, this campaign may serve as a model for many others as the news industry -- including our union -- reinvents itself.