Ballots are going out this week that ask members of the Northern California Media Workers Guild and the San Jose Newspaper Guild to approve a merger, according to the Media Workers Web site. The ballots are due Oct. 31. The combination of Northern California and San Jose will create one of the largest Guild locals in the country. It will encompass about 2,600 represented members of bargaining units statewide. Members will be asked to approve a merger agreement along with new bylaws to govern the combined local. E&P has a story about the merger today.