Document:

ex_146687.htm

Exhibit 10.24

 

SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

This SECURITY AGREEMENT, dated as of December 7, 2018 (this “Security Agreement”) is entered into by and among Salon Media Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation limited liability company (“Obligor”) and the holders of the Notes (as defined below) (collectively, the “Secured Parties”) under the Subscription Agreement (defined below).

 

W I T N E S S E T H

 

WHEREAS, Obligor and the Secured Parties are parties to that certain Subscription Agreement, dated as of December 7, 2018 by and among Obligor and Secured Parties (the “Subscription Agreement”), pursuant to which the Obligor issued up to $118,898.88 of those certain 10% Subordinated Secured Promissory Notes to each of the Secured Parties (the “Notes”); and

 

WHEREAS, the parties hereto acknowledge that the Notes, as well as the obligations under the Securities Purchase Agreement, shall be entitled to the benefits of the security interest provided for the benefits of the holders of the Notes, all on a pari passu basis.

 

WHEREAS, in order to induce the Secured Parties to purchase the Notes, the Obligor agreed to execute and deliver to the Secured Parties this Agreement for the benefit of the Secured Parties and to grant to them a first priority security interest in certain property of the Obligor to secure the prompt payment, performance, and discharge in full of the Obligor’s obligations under the Notes (as defined below).

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

1.     Certain Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth in this Section 1. Terms used but not otherwise defined in this Agreement that are defined in Article 9 of the UCC (such as “general intangibles” and “proceeds”) shall have the respective meanings given such terms in Article 9 of the UCC.

 

(a)     “Collateral” means the collateral in which the Secured Parties are granted a security interest by this Agreement and which shall include the following, whether presently owned or existing or hereafter acquired or coming into existence, and all additions and accessions thereto and all substitutions and replacements thereof, and all proceeds, products and accounts thereof, including, without limitation, all proceeds from the sale or transfer of the Collateral and of insurance covering the same and of any tort claims in connection therewith:

 

(i)     All Goods of the Obligor, including, without limitations, all machinery, equipment, computers, motor vehicles, trucks, tanks, boats, ships, furniture, special and general tools, fixtures, test and quality devices and other equipment of every kind and nature and wherever situated, together with all documents of title and documents representing the same, all additions and accessions thereto, replacements therefor, all parts therefor, and all substitutes for any of the foregoing and all other items used and useful in connection with the Obligor’ businesses and all improvements thereto (collectively, the “Equipment”); and

 

 

 

 

(ii)     All Inventory of the Obligor; and

 

(iii)     All of the Obligor’s contract rights and general intangibles, including, without limitation, all partnership interests, stock or other securities, licenses, distribution and other agreements, computer software development rights, leases, franchises, customer lists, quality control procedures, grants and rights, goodwill, trademarks, service marks, trade styles, trade names, patents, patent applications, copyrights, deposit accounts, and income tax refunds (collectively, the “General Intangibles”); and

 

(iv)     All Receivables of the Obligor including all insurance proceeds, and rights to refunds or indemnification whatsoever owing, together with all instruments, all documents of title representing any of the foregoing, all rights in any merchandising, goods, equipment, motor vehicles and trucks which any of the same may represent, and all right, title, security and guaranties with respect to each Receivable, including any right of stoppage in transit; and

 

(v)     All of the Obligor’s documents, instruments and chattel paper, files, records, books of account, business papers, computer programs and the products and proceeds of all of the foregoing Collateral set forth in clauses (i)-(iv) above.

 

(b)      “Obligations” means all of the Obligor’s obligations under this Agreement and the Notes in each case, whether now or hereafter existing, voluntary or involuntary, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, whether or not jointly owed with others, and whether or not from time to time decreased or extinguished and later increased, created or incurred, and all or any portion of such obligations or liabilities that are paid, to the extent all or any part of such payment is avoided or recovered directly or indirectly from the Secured Parties as a preference, fraudulent transfer or otherwise as such obligations may be amended, supplemented, converted, extended or modified from time to time.

 

(c)     “Obligor” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.

 

(d)      “UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code, as currently in effect in the State of Delaware.

 

2.     Grant of Security Interest. As an inducement for the Secured Parties to purchase the Notes from Obligor and to advance funds to Obligor and to secure the complete and timely payment, performance and discharge in full, as the case may be, of all of the Obligations, Obligor hereby, unconditionally and irrevocably, pledges, grants and hypothecates to the Secured Parties a continuing security interest in, a first lien upon, and a right of set-off against all of each Obligor’s right, title, and interest of whatsoever kind and nature in and to the Collateral (the “Security Interest”).

 

3.     Representations Warranties Covenants and Agreements of the Obligor. Obligor represents and warrants to, and covenants and agrees with, the Secured Parties as follows:

 

 

 

 

(a)     Obligor has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and otherwise to carry out its obligations thereunder. The execution, delivery and performance by Obligor of this Agreement and the filings contemplated therein have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of Obligor and no further action is required by the Obligor.

 

(b)     Obligor represents and warrants that it has no place of business or offices where its respective books of account and records are kept (other than temporarily at the offices of its attorneys or accountants) or places where Collateral is stored or located, except as set forth on Schedule A attached hereto;

 

(c)     Obligor is the sole owner of the Collateral (except for non-exclusive licenses granted by Obligor in the ordinary course of business), free and clear of any liens, security interests, encumbrances, rights or claims, and is fully authorized to grant the Security Interest in and to pledge the Collateral, except for liens granted to PubLife, LLC. There is not on file in any governmental or regulatory authority, agency or recording office an effective financing statement, security agreement, license or transfer or any notice of any of the foregoing (other than those that have been filed in favor of the Secured Parties pursuant to this Agreement or pursuant to PubLife, LLC) covering or affecting any of the Collateral. So long as this Agreement shall be in effect, the Obligor shall not execute and shall not knowingly permit to be on file in any such office or agency any such financing statement or other document or instrument (except to the extent filed or recorded in favor of the Secured Parties pursuant to the terms of this Agreement).

 

(d)     No part of the Collateral has been judged invalid or unenforceable. No written claim has been received that any Collateral or Obligor’s use of any Collateral violates the rights of any third Parties. There has been no adverse decision to Obligor’s claim of ownership rights in or exclusive rights to use the Collateral in any jurisdiction or to the Obligor’s right to keep and maintain such Collateral in full force and effect, and there is no proceeding involving said rights pending or, to the best knowledge of any Obligor, threatened before any court, judicial body, administrative or regulatory agency, arbitrator or other governmental authority.

 

(e)     Obligor shall at all times maintain its books of account and records relating to the Collateral at its principal place of business and its Collateral at the locations set forth on Schedule A attached hereto and may not relocate such books of account and records or tangible Collateral unless it delivers to the Secured Parties at least 30 days prior to such relocation (i) written notice of such relocation and the new location thereof (which must be within the United States) and (ii) evidence that appropriate financing statements and other necessary documents have been filed and recorded and other steps have been taken to perfect the Security Interest to create in favor of the Secured Parties valid, perfected and continuing first priority liens in the Collateral.

 

(f)     This Agreement creates in favor of the Secured Parties a valid security interest in the Collateral securing the payment and performance of the Obligations and, upon making the filings described in the immediately following sentence, a perfected security interest in such Collateral. Except for the filing of financing statements on Form UCC-I under the UCC with the jurisdictions indicated on Schedule B, attached hereto, no authorization or approval of or filing with or notice to any governmental authority or regulatory body is required either (i) for the grant by any Obligor of, or the effectiveness of, the Security Interest granted hereby or for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such Obligor or (ii) for the perfection of or exercise by the Secured Parties of their rights and remedies hereunder.

 

 

 

 

(g)     On the date of execution of this Agreement, Obligor will deliver to the Secured Parties one or more executed UCC financing statements on Form UCC-1 under the UCC with respect to the Security Interest for filing with the jurisdictions indicated on Schedule B, attached hereto and in such other jurisdictions as may be requested by the Secured Parties.

 

(h)     The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement does not conflict with or cause a breach or default, or an event that with or without the passage of time or notice, shall constitute a breach or default, under any agreement to which such Obligor is a party or by which such Obligor is bound. No consent (including, without limitation, from stockholders or creditors of any Obligor) is required for any Obligor to enter into and perform its obligations hereunder.

 

(i)     Obligor shall at all times maintain the liens and Security Interest provided for hereunder as valid and perfected liens and security interests in the Collateral in favor of the Secured Parties until this Agreement and the Security Interest hereunder shall be terminated pursuant to Section 12 hereof. Obligor hereby agrees to defend the same against any and all persons. Such Obligor shall safeguard and protect all Collateral for the account of the Secured Parties. At the request of the Secured Parties, the Obligor will sign and deliver to the Secured Parties at any time or from time to time one or more financing statements pursuant to the UCC (or any other applicable statute) in form reasonably satisfactory to the Secured Parties and will pay the cost of filing the same in all public offices wherever filing is, or is deemed by the Secured Parties to be, necessary or desirable to effect the rights and obligations provided for herein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, such Obligor shall pay all fees, taxes and other amounts necessary to maintain the Collateral and the Security Interest hereunder, and the Obligor shall obtain and furnish to the Secured Parties from time to time, upon demand, such releases and/or subordinations of claims and liens which may be required to maintain the priority of the Security Interest hereunder.

 

(j)     Obligor will not transfer, pledge, hypothecate, encumber, license (except for non-exclusive licenses granted by such Obligor in the ordinary course of business), sell or otherwise dispose of any of the Collateral without the prior written consent of the Secured Parties.

 

(k)     Obligor shall keep and preserve their Equipment, Inventory, and other tangible Collateral in good condition, repair and order and shall not operate or locate any such Collateral (or cause to be operated or located) in any area excluded from insurance coverage.

 

(l)     Obligor shall, within ten (10) days of obtaining knowledge thereof, advise the Secured Parties promptly, in sufficient detail, of any substantial change in the Collateral, and of the occurrence of any event which would have a material adverse effect on the value of the Collateral or on the Secured Parties’ security interest therein.

 

 

 

 

(m)     Obligor shall promptly execute and deliver to the Secured Parties such further deeds, mortgages, assignments, security agreements, financing statements or other instruments, documents, certificates and assurances and take such further action as the Secured Parties may from time to time request and may in its sole discretion deem necessary to perfect, protect or enforce its security interest in the Collateral.

 

(n)     Obligor shall permit the Secured Parties and their representatives and agents to inspect the Collateral at any time, and to make copies of records pertaining to the Collateral as may be requested by the Secured Parties from time to time.

 

(o)     Obligor will take all steps reasonably necessary to diligently pursue and seek to preserve, enforce and collect any rights, claims, causes of action and accounts receivable in respect of the Collateral.

 

(p)     Obligor shall promptly notify the Secured Parties in sufficient detail upon becoming aware of any attachment, garnishment, execution or other legal process levied against any Collateral and of any other information received by the Obligor that may materially affect the value of the Collateral, the Security Interest or the rights and remedies of the Secured Parties hereunder.

 

(q)     All information heretofore, herein or hereafter supplied to the Secured Parties by or on behalf of the Obligor with respect to the Collateral is accurate and complete in all material respects as of the date furnished.

 

4.     Defaults. The following events shall be “Events of Default”:

 

(a)     The occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined in the Notes) under the Notes;

 

(b)     Any representation or warranty of any Obligor in this Agreement shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made; and

 

(c)     The failure by Obligor to observe or perform any of its obligations hereunder or the Notes, for five (5) days after receipt by Obligor of notice of such failure from the Secured Parties.

 

5.     Duty To Hold In Trust. Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default and at any time thereafter, Obligor shall, upon receipt by it of any revenue, income or other sums subject to the Security Interest, whether payable pursuant to the Notes or otherwise, or of any check, draft, note, trade acceptance or other instrument evidencing an obligation to pay any such sum, hold the same in trust for the Secured Parties and shall forthwith endorse and transfer any such sums or instruments, or both, to the Secured Parties for application to the satisfaction of the Obligations.

 

6.     Rights and Remedies Upon Default. Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default and at any time thereafter, the Secured Parties shall have the right to exercise all of the remedies conferred hereunder and under the Notes, and the Secured Parties shall have all the rights and remedies of a secured Parties under the UCC and/or any other applicable law (including the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction in which any Collateral is then located). Without limitation, the Secured Parties shall have the following rights and powers:

 

 

 

 

(a)     The Secured Parties shall have the right to take possession of the Collateral and, for that purpose, enter, with the aid and assistance of any person, any premises where the Collateral, or any part thereof, is or may be placed and remove the same, and the Obligor shall assemble the Collateral and make it available to the Secured Parties at places which the Secured Parties shall reasonably select, whether at the Obligor’s premises or elsewhere, and make available to the Secured Parties, without rent, all of the Obligor’s respective premises and facilities for the purpose of the Secured Parties taking possession of, removing or putting the Collateral in saleable or disposable form.

 

(b)     The Secured Parties shall have the right to operate the business of the Obligor using the Collateral and shall have the right to assign, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of and deliver all or any part of the Collateral, at public or private sale or otherwise, either with or without special conditions or stipulations, for cash or on credit or for future delivery, in such parcel or parcels and at such time or times and at such place or places, and upon such terms and conditions as the Secured Parties may deem commercially reasonable, all without (except as shall be required by applicable statute and cannot be waived) advertisement or demand upon or notice to the Obligor or right of redemption of the Obligor, which are hereby expressly waived. Upon each such sale, lease, assignment or other transfer of Collateral, the Secured Parties may, unless prohibited by applicable law which cannot be waived, purchase all or any part of the Collateral being sold, free from and discharged of all trusts, claims, right of redemption and equities of the Obligor, which are hereby waived and released.

 

7.     Applications of Proceeds. The proceeds of any such sale, lease or other disposition of the Collateral hereunder shall be applied first, to the expenses of retaking, holding, storing, processing and preparing for sale, selling, and the like (including, without limitation, any taxes, fees and other costs incurred in connection therewith) of the Collateral, to the reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred by the Secured Parties in enforcing their rights hereunder and in connection with collecting, storing and disposing of the Collateral, and then to satisfaction of the Obligations, and to the payment of any other amounts required by applicable law, after which the Secured Parties shall pay to the Obligor any surplus proceeds. If, upon the sale, license or other disposition of the Collateral, the proceeds thereof are insufficient to pay all amounts to which the Secured Parties is legally entitled, such Obligor will be liable for the deficiency, together with interest thereon, at the rate of 11% per annum or such lesser amount permitted by applicable law (the “Default Rate”), and the reasonable fees of any attorneys employed by the Secured Parties to collect such deficiency. To the extent permitted by applicable law, such Obligor waives all claims, damages and demands against the Secured Parties arising out of the repossession, removal, retention or sale of the Collateral, unless due to the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Secured Parties.

 

8.     Costs and Expenses. The Obligor agree to pay all out-of-pocket fees, costs, and expenses incurred in connection with any filing required hereunder, including without limitation, any financing statements, continuation statements, partial releases and/or termination statements related thereto or any expenses of any searches reasonably required by the Secured Parties. The Obligor shall also pay all other claims and charges which in the reasonable opinion of the Secured Parties might prejudice, imperil or otherwise affect the Collateral or the Security Interest therein. The Obligor will also, upon demand, pay to the Secured Parties the amount of any and all reasonable expenses, including the reasonable fees and expenses of its counsel and of any experts’ and agents, which the Secured Parties may incur in connection with (i) the enforcement of this Agreement, (ii) the custody or preservation of, or the sale of, collection from, or other realization upon, any of the Collateral, or (iii) the exercise or enforcement of any of the rights of the Secured Parties under the Notes. Until so paid, any fees payable hereunder shall be added to the principal amount of the Notes and shall bear interest at the Default Rate.

 

 

 

 

9.     Responsibility for Collateral. Obligor assumes all liabilities and responsibility in connection with all Collateral, and the obligations of the Obligor hereunder or under the Notes shall in no way be affected or diminished by reason of the loss, destruction, damage or theft of any of the Collateral or its unavailability for any reason.

 

10.     Security Interest Absolute. All rights of the Secured Parties and all Obligations of the Obligor hereunder, shall be absolute and unconditional, irrespective of: (a) any lack of validity or enforceability of this Agreement, the Notes or any agreement entered into in connection with the foregoing, or any portion hereof or thereof; (b) any change in the time, manner, or place of payment or performance of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to any departure from the Notes, the Transaction Documents or any other agreement entered into in connection with the foregoing; (c) any exchange, release or nonperfection of any of the Collateral, or any release or amendment or waiver of or consent to departure from any other collateral for, or any guaranty, or any other security, for all or any of the Obligations; (d) any action by the Secured Parties to obtain, adjust, settle and cancel in its sole discretion any insurance claims or matters made or arising in connection with the Collateral; or (e) any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute any legal or equitable defense available to the Obligor, or a discharge of all or any part of the Security Interest granted hereby. Until the Obligations shall have been paid and performed in full, the rights of the Secured Parties shall continue even if the Obligations are barred for any reason, including, without limitation, the running of the statute of limitations or bankruptcy. Each Obligor expressly waives presentment, protest, notice of protest, demand, notice of nonpayment and demand for performance. In the event that at any time any transfer of any Collateral or any payment received by the Secured Parties hereunder shall be deemed by final order of a court of competent jurisdiction to have been a voidable preference or fraudulent conveyance under the bankruptcy or insolvency laws of the United States, or shall be deemed to be otherwise due to any Parties other than the Secured Parties, then, in any such event, the Obligor’s obligations hereunder shall survive cancellation of this Agreement, and shall not be discharged or satisfied by any prior payment thereof and/or cancellation of this Agreement, but shall remain a valid and binding obligation enforceable in accordance with the terms and provisions hereof. The Obligor waives all right to require the Secured Parties to proceed against any other person or to apply any Collateral which the Secured Parties may hold at any time, or to marshal assets, or to pursue any other remedy. The Obligor waives any defense arising by reason of the application of the statute of limitations to any obligation secured hereby.

 

11.     Subordination. The parties express acknowledge and agree that Note and the Obligations are subordinate to any Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the Notes) subject to the terms of the Notes.

 

 

 

 

12.     Term of Agreement. This Agreement and the Security Interest shall terminate on the date on which all payments under the Notes have been made in full and all other Obligations have been paid or discharged. Upon such termination, the Secured Parties, at the request and at the expense of the Obligor, will join in executing any termination statement with respect to any financing statement executed and filed pursuant to this Agreement.

 

13.     Power of Attorney; Further Assurances.

 

 

 

 

(a)     The Obligor authorizes the Secured Parties, and does hereby make, constitute and appoint it, and its respective officers, agents, successors or assigns with full power of substitution, as each Obligor’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with power, in its own name or in the name of the Obligor, to, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, (i) endorse any notes, checks, drafts, money orders, or other instruments of payment (including payments payable under or in respect of any policy of insurance) in respect of the Collateral that may come into possession of the Secured Parties; (ii) to sign and endorse any UCC financing statement or any invoice, freight or express bill, bill of lading, storage or warehouse receipts, drafts against debtors, assignments, verifications and notices in connection with accounts, and other documents relating to the Collateral; (iii) to pay or discharge taxes, liens, security interests or other encumbrances at any time levied or placed on or threatened against the Collateral; (iv) to demand, collect, receipt for, compromise, settle and sue for monies due in respect of the Collateral; and (v) generally, to do, at the option of the Secured Parties, and at the Obligor’ expense, at any time, or from time to time, all acts and things which the Secured Parties deems necessary to protect, preserve and realize upon the Collateral and the Security Interest granted therein in order to effect the intent of this Agreement, the Notes and the Transaction Documents all as fully and effectually as the Obligor might or could do; and each Obligor hereby ratifies all that said attorney shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This power of attorney is coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable for the term of this Agreement and thereafter as long as any of the Obligations shall be outstanding.

 

(b)     On a continuing basis, Obligor will make, execute, acknowledge, deliver, file and record, as the case may be, in the proper filing and recording places in any jurisdiction, including, without limitation, the jurisdictions indicated on Schedule B, attached hereto, all such instruments, and take all such action as may reasonably be deemed necessary or advisable, or as reasonably requested by the Secured Parties, to perfect the Security Interest granted hereunder and otherwise to carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement, or for assuring and confirming to the Secured Parties the grant or perfection of a security interest in all the Collateral.

 

(c)     Obligor hereby irrevocably appoints the Secured Parties as its attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of the Obligor and in the name of the Obligor, from time to time in the Secured Parties’ discretion, to take any action and to execute any instrument which the Secured Parties may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including the filing, in its sole discretion, of one or more financing or continuation statements and amendments thereto, relative to any of the Collateral without the signature of the Obligor where permitted by law.

 

14.     Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, with copies to all the other parties hereto, and shall be deemed to have been duly given when (i) if delivered by hand, upon receipt, (ii) if sent by facsimile, upon receipt of proof of sending thereof, (iii) if sent by nationally recognized overnight delivery service (receipt requested), the next business day or (iv) if mailed by first-class registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, four days after posting in the U.S. mails, in each case if delivered to the following addresses:

 

 

 

 

 

If to Obligor:                  Salon Media Group, Inc.

870 Market Street

San Francisco, CA 94102                    

Attention: Jordan Hoffner

 

If to Secured Parties:     At the address set forth opposite their name on the signature page

 

15.     Other Security. To the extent that the Obligations are now or hereafter secured by property other than the Collateral or by the guarantee, endorsement or property of any other person, firm, corporation or other entity, then the Secured Parties shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to pursue, relinquish, subordinate, modify or take any other action with respect thereto, without in any way modifying or affecting any of the Secured Parties’ rights and remedies hereunder.

 

16.     Miscellaneous.

 

(a)     No course of dealing between the Obligor and the Secured Parties, nor any failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of the Secured Parties, any right, power or privilege hereunder or under the Notes shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder or thereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

 

(b)     All of the rights and remedies of the Secured Parties with respect to the Collateral, whether established hereby or by the Notes or by any other agreements, instruments or documents or by law shall be cumulative and may be exercised singly or concurrently.

 

(c)     This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and is intended to supersede all prior negotiations, understandings and agreements with respect thereto. Except as specifically set forth in this Agreement, no provision of this Agreement may be modified or amended except by a written agreement specifically referring to this Agreement and signed by the parties hereto.

 

(d)     In the event that any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction for any reason, unless such provision is narrowed by judicial construction, this Agreement shall, as to such jurisdiction, be construed as if such invalid, prohibited or unenforceable provision had been more narrowly drawn so as not to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable. If, notwithstanding the foregoing, any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such provision, as to such jurisdiction, shall be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining portion of such provision or the other provisions of this Agreement and without affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision or the other provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.

 

(e)     No waiver of any breach or default or any right under this Agreement shall be considered valid unless in writing and signed by the Parties giving such waiver, and no such waiver shall be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach or default or right, whether of the same or similar nature or otherwise.

 

 

 

 

(f)     This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each Parties hereto and its successors and assigns.

 

(g)     Each Parties shall take such further action and execute and deliver such further documents as may be necessary or appropriate in order to carry out the provisions and purposes of this Agreement.

 

(h)     This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware except to the extent the validity, perfection or enforcement of a security interest hereunder in respect of any particular Collateral which are governed by a jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware in which case such law shall govern. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any Delaware State or United States Federal court sitting over any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, and the parties hereto hereby irrevocably agree that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such Delaware State or Federal court. The parties hereto agree that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other inner provided by law. The parties hereto further waive any objection to venue in the State of Delaware and any objection to an action or proceeding in the State of Delaware, on the basis of forum non convenient.

 

(i)     EACH PARTIES HERETO HEREBY AGREES TO WAIVE ITS RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT. THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO BE ALL ENCOMPASSING OF ANY DISPUTES THAT MAY BE FILED IN ANY COURT AND THAT RELATE TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS. EACH PARTIES HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR EACH PARTIES TO ENTER INTO A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP, THAT EACH PARTIES HAS ALREADY RELIED ON THIS WAIVER IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THAT EACH PARTIES WILL CONTINUE TO RELY ON THIS WAIVER IN THEIR RELATED FUTURE DEALINGS. EACH PARTIES FURTHER WARRANTS AND REPRESENTS THAT IT HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL, AND THAT SUCH PARTIES KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL FOLLOWING SUCH CONSULTATION. THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT, NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY, IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING, AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS AND SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS AGREEMENT. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.

 

 

 

 

(j)     This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement in the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission, such signature shall create a valid binding obligation of the Parties executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) the same with the same force and effect as if such facsimile signature were the original thereof.

 

************

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Security Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

	 	 
	 	
			OBLIGOR:

			 

			 

			SALON MEDIA GROUP, INC.

			 

			By:    /s/ Jordan Hoffner                                    

			Name:     Jordan Hoffner

			Title:        CEO

			
	 	 
	 	
			SECURED PARTIES:

			 

			HUMILIS HOLDINGS CAPITAL FUND LP

			 

			/s/ Trevor Colhoun                                                

			Name: Trevor Colhoun

			Address:

			
	 	 
	 	
			JORDAN HOFFNER

			 

			/s/ Jordan Hoffner                                                  

			Name: Jordan Hoffner

			Address:ex_146649.htm

Exhibit 10.25

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT

 

Between

 

SALON MEDIA GROUP

and

WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA, EAST, INC.

 

 

 

October 10, 2018 – December 31, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Agreement is made and entered into by and between Salon Media Group ( the “Employer”) and the Writers Guild of America-East (the “Guild” or the “Union”).

 

Article 1: Recognition Clause 

 

The Company recognizes the Guild as the exclusive collective bargaining representative within the meaning of Section 9 (a) of the National Labor Relations Act (the “Act”) of a unit of full-time and regular part-time writers, assistant editors, section editors (e.g. politics, video, culture, social media and cover editors), deputy editors, associate managing editors, art directors, and comment moderators employed by Salon for the creation of salon.com branded content, excluding all other managers, clerical employees, guards, professional employees and supervisors as defined in the Act (the "Bargaining Unit").

 

Article 2: Union Security 

 

A.     The Employer agrees that it will not continue any Bargaining Unit Employee ("Employee") in its employ under this Agreement unless they are a member in good standing of the Union or has made application for membership in the Union within thirty (30) days following the beginning of their employment, or the effective date of this Agreement, whichever is later.

 

B.     The failure of any Employee covered hereunder to be or become a member in good standing of the Guild by reason of a refusal to tender the initiation fees or periodic dues and assessments uniformly required on a percentage basis of gross wages or incorporated with dues so uniformly required shall obligate the Employer to discharge such person upon written notice to such effect by the Union unless such dues and/or initiation fees are tendered within five (5) days after the mailing and e-mailing of such notice to the Employer and the Employee.

 

C.     Nothing in this Article shall be construed to require the Employer to cease employing any Employee if the Employer has reasonable ground for believing that:

(l) membership in the Union was not available to such Employee on the same terms and conditions generally applicable to other members; or

(2) such Employee’s membership in good standing in the Union was denied or terminated for reasons other than failure of the Employee to tender periodic dues and initiation fees uniformly required by the Union as a condition of acquiring or retaining membership in good standing.

 

D.     If the Employer should employ an applicant not a member of the Union, it shall, prior to the beginning of such applicant’s work, refer the applicant to the Union for information as to the Union membership requirements.

 

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E.     The Employer will provide a copy of the current Salon – WGAE Agreement to all employees hired into bargaining unit positions.

 

Article 3: Dues Checkoff 

 

A.     The Employer agrees that upon 30 days’ notice thereafter from the Guild, it will deduct initiation fees and membership dues and assessments uniformly required on a percentage basis of gross wages or incorporated with dues as designated by the Guild upon receipt from each Employee who individually and in writing signs a voluntary check-off authorization card in the form and in the manner provided below and provided that all other circumstances comply with all applicable provisions of the federal law.

 

B.     WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA

 

“I, the undersigned, hereby authorize and direct Salon, to checkoff from my wages every week union membership dues and assessments uniformly required as well as initiation fees, if owing, (initiation fees to be prorated over a twelve-week period) as promulgated by the Union according to the procedure set forth in the constitution of the WGA and pay same to the Writers Guild of America, East, Inc., 250 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10013.

 

This authorization and assignment shall be irrevocable for the term of the applicable collective bargaining contract between the Guild and the Employer, or for a period of one year from the date appearing hereon, whichever is sooner, and shall automatically renew itself for successive yearly periods or applicable contract year period unless and until I give written notice to terminate to the Employer and the Guild at least twenty (20) days prior to the expiration date of the present contract or the one-year period from date of signature. If no such notice is given, my authorization shall be irrevocable for successive periods of one year thereafter with the same privilege of revocation at the end of each such period.”

 

WITNESS:________________ SIGNATURE:______________

DATE:_____________

 

Article 4: Termination of Employment 

 

Severance

 

Employees who are laid off because of a reduction in force will receive one week of severance pay for each year of service (incomplete years to be prorated), with a minimum of two (2) weeks’ pay and a maximum of six (6) weeks’ pay.

 

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Just Cause

 

Employees can be terminated only for "just cause," except as described below.

 

Probationary Employees: The Employer shall have the right in its sole discretion to discharge any employee in their first six (6) months of service for any reason and without recourse to the grievance and arbitration provisions of this Agreement. Upon request, the Employer may request to extend the probationary period to nine (9) months. The Employer’s request shall not be unreasonably denied.

 

Termination for Gross Misconduct: Employees may be terminated immediately for gross misconduct. Examples of gross misconduct include but are not limited to plagiarism, breaches of journalistic ethics, violence, dishonesty, refusal or failure to perform assigned tasks, unprofessional conduct, and theft. If the Union elects to arbitrate a termination for gross misconduct, the only question for the arbitrator will be whether the alleged misconduct occurred. Employees discharged for gross misconduct shall not be entitled to severance pay.

 

Termination for Poor Performance/Editorial Reasons: If the Employer determines in its sole discretion that an Employee’s work product is unsatisfactory for any reason(s) (e.g., editorial content, editorial quality, professionalism ), it may discharge the Employee. However, prior to being so discharged, an Employee shall be given notice of the reason(s) for potential termination and an opportunity to cure of at least one (1) month. Such decision shall not be subject to challenge through the grievance and arbitration procedure other than to establish that the Employer’s decision was made for an editorial or performance-based reason and that appropriate notice was provided.

 

Article 5 Labor-Management Committee 

 

Salon and the Guild will establish a Joint Labor-Management Committee for the purpose of meeting and discussing employee concerns and matters affecting relations between the parties, including, among others, diversity, training, new technology, editorial independence, editorial standards and integrity, methods of operation and work processes, and other such matters. At the request of either party, the Committee will meet once every four months during the term of this Agreement. The parties shall exchange written agendas at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance of the actual meeting date. Nothing herein prohibits the parties from meeting more frequently.

 

Article 6 Grievance and Arbitration 

 

A.      Any complaint, controversy, dispute, or claim (herein, collectively, a “grievance” or “grievances”) between the parties hereto arising during the term of this Agreement with respect to the provisions of this Agreement or its interpretation or any alleged breach thereof, shall be discussed promptly and in good faith by the designated representatives of the parties in an effort to attain an amicable settlement.

 

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B.     All grievances must be presented by the grieving party to the non-grieving party in writing, no later than forty-five (45) calendar days after the grieving party knew or with due diligence should have known of the circumstances giving rise to the grievance. The Employer and the Guild shall meet within ten (10) days of receipt of the written grievance.

 

C.     If the grievance is not resolved, the grieving party may, within sixty (60) days following the grievance meeting (or, if the parties fail to meet as prescribed above, within sixty (60) calendar days of presenting the written grievance), submit the grievance to arbitration before an impartial arbitrator selected in accordance with the Labor Arbitration rules and procedures of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitrator shall have jurisdiction and authority solely to interpret, apply, and/or determine the meaning of any provision of this Agreement, and shall have no power to change, add to, or subtract from any provision. No award in any such arbitration shall be retroactive to a date more than thirty (30) days prior to the date when the grievance was presented.

 

D.     The determination of the arbitrator shall be final and binding upon the Employer, the Guild, and/or the represented employee(s); and the costs of the arbitration (e.g., arbitrator’s fee, filing fees) shall be borne equally by the Employer and the Guild, and each party shall bear its own other costs, legal fees, and expenses relating to the arbitration.

 

E.     A failure to submit a grievance or demand arbitration in accordance with the requirements set forth above, including the time limits, shall permanently bar the grievance and/or the arbitration as the case may be. Arbitration shall be the sole and exclusive procedure for resolving disputes hereunder, and the arbitration award shall be a party’s sole and exclusive remedy, provided that either party may proceed in court to confirm or vacate an award according to law.

 

F.      The Guild agrees and acknowledges that it is unaware of any Employer employment policy or practice in effect as of the commencement of the term hereof that violates this Agreement, and the Guild shall not grieve or otherwise object to any such current policy or practice of which it is aware.

 

Article 7: Workload and Overtime 

 

Employees shall receive compensatory time (“Comp Time”) for work on a scheduled day off (see Section A below) or for work in excess of 10 hours on regular, scheduled work days (see Section B below) as assigned by a manager or supervisor for either pre-planned newsworthy events (e.g. award shows, political debates, sporting events) or major breaking news situations or other unforeseen newsworthy events.

 

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A.     Any employee required by a supervisor or manager to perform two (2) or more hours of work on a scheduled non-work day is eligible for compensatory time off. By way of example, an employee whose regular work schedule is Monday-Friday, who works Monday-Friday, and who is scheduled to work (and performs two or more hours of work) on a Saturday shall receive Comp Time in accordance with Section D below. Similarly, an employee whose regular work schedule is Tuesday-Saturday, who works Tuesday-Saturday, and who is scheduled to work (and performs two or more hours of work) on a Sunday shall receive Comp Time in accordance with Section D below.

 

B.     An employee who works more than ten (10) hours on a regular, scheduled work day to cover a pre-planned newsworthy event or a major breaking news story or other unforeseen newsworthy event shall be entitled to Comp Time in accordance with Section D below. The Employer shall retain the right to determine the work schedule of employees on any such days. For example, an Employee assigned to cover a political debate or an award ceremony may be assigned to begin work at 3 p.m.; in such cases, the Employee would not be entitled to Comp Time if the Employee works 10 or fewer hours that work day (i.e., ends work prior to 1 a.m.).

 

C.     The use of compensatory time off must be pre-approved by the Employee’s supervisor or manager in advance, and in writing. In cases of pre-planned events, managers will inform Employees when assigning the work of the amount of Comp Time the Employee can expect to accrue during coverage. In cases of breaking news events, managers will inform Employees within 48 hours of the event of the amount of Comp Time the Employee accrued during that extended work period.

 

D.     All Comp Time will be provided in half- or full-day increments (i.e., 1 “Comp Day” will be equivalent to 1 paid day off). An Employee who works fewer than 6 hours on a non-work day pursuant to Section A above or who works more than 10 but fewer than 16 hours on a scheduled work day pursuant to Section B above shall be entitled to 1⁄2 day of Comp Time. An employee who works 6 or more hours on a non-work day pursuant to Section A above or 16 or more hours on a scheduled work day pursuant to Section B above shall be entitled to 1 full Comp Day. Any authorized Comp Time will be available as of the date of the manager’s approval.

 

E.      Bargaining unit employees are required to use any approved Comp Time in half- or full-day increments within 90 days of the coverage event, subject to manager approval. If a manager denies an Employee’s request to use Comp Time, the Employee will receive an additional 30 days to use previously approved Comp Time. Employees will need to manage their leave balances in coordination with management and Human Resources. Any unused Comp Time within the applicable time frame noted above will be forfeited, unless otherwise prohibited by state or local law.

 

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Article 8 Contractors  

 

The Employer shall be permitted to use contractors to perform bargaining unit work. In the event that the Employer engages a contractor to replace a bargaining unit employee who has been terminated or has resigned, it shall not utilize any such contractor for more than four (4) months while attempting to fill the position. However, the Employer may seek an extension of this time limitation for good cause shown, which request shall not be unreasonably denied. The Employer shall not have any obligation to replace any employee who has been discharged, laid off or who has resigned.

 

Article 9 Editorial Independence and Transparency 

 

Guild members shall not be required to work on branded content.

 

Article 10 Holidays/Paid Time Off 

 

The Employer shall maintain their current holiday, paid time off and parental leave policy. Nothing in this contract prohibits the Employer from providing more parental leave, holiday and/or paid time off.

 

Article 11 Benefits 

 

The Employer shall continue to provide Employees with benefits through the TriNet Benefits Plan in 2019. If the cost of providing health insurance benefits increases, the Employer will bear the increase in cost to a maximum of 3% per year. If the cost increases by more than 3% per year, the Employer will meet with the Union to negotiate about possible changes in plan design. If at any time the Employer contemplates changing other elements of the benefits (insurer, provider networks, etc.) it will give the Union at least 30 days' notice and an opportunity to review and discuss the proposed changes.

 

The Employer will maintain its existing 401(k) plan. The Employer may change the plan provider after notice to the union.

 

The Employer will offer unit employees all other benefits on the same basis and terms as it offers to non-unit employees.

 

Article 12 Compensation

 

$40,000 minimum effective October 1, 2018 for “Video” and “Assistant” titles.

 

$45,000 minimum effective October 1, 2018 for other titles.

 

On or before December 31, 2018, the Employer shall pay each employee a ratification bonus of $500.

 

Effective January 1, 2019, all Employees shall receive an increase in base pay of $1140.

 

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Effective January 1, 2020, all Employees shall receive an increase in base pay of $1133.

 

Effective January 1, 2021, all Employees shall receive an increase in base pay of $1,155.

 

Nothing in this agreement prevents the Employer from negotiating higher wages and benefits with individual employees.

 

Upon request, the employees shall be provided with a copy of their job description, which shall be subject to change in the Employer’s sole discretion at any time. The Employer shall provide notice of any such changes to the Union.

 

Article 13 Reviews and Promotions

 

The Employer shall provide each unit Employee an annual comprehensive performance evaluation and review on or about their employment anniversary date each year. All performance metrics shall be shared with the Employee before the evaluation. Employees may discuss raises, promotions and title changes in their annual performance review, but the Employer shall have no obligation to provide any raise, promotion, title change or other requested change.

 

Article 14 Management Rights

 

The Employer reserves and retains all rights to manage its business. This includes the right to establish, change or continue policies, practices, and procedures for the conduct of its business, including but not limited to the publication and exploitation of any written, audio or video materials of any kind; to discontinue operations or practices in whole or in part; to transfer, sell, or otherwise dispose of its business relating in any way to Employer operations, in whole or in part; to select and to determine the number and types of represented employees required; to assign work to such represented employees in accordance with the requirements determined by the Employer; to establish and change work locations, schedules and assignments; to transfer and promote represented employees, or to layoff, suspend, discipline or terminate represented employees for any reason; to make and enforce reasonable rules for employee conduct, performance, and safety; to subcontract bargaining unit work to third parties; and otherwise to take such measures as the Employer may determine to be necessary for the orderly or economical Employer operation.

 

Article 15 No Strike/No Lockout 

 

During the term of the Agreement, neither the Guild, nor any represented employees, shall engage in any sick out, slow down, strike, picketing, sympathy strike, unfair labor practice strike, or refusal to cross a picket line or any boycott or any other interference in the conduct of the business of the Employer for any reason whatsoever. During the term of this Agreement, the Employer shall not lock out any represented employees with respect to any operations covered by this Agreement. The Guild shall take reasonable affirmative steps to assure that its members comply with this provision.

 

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Article 16 Harassment Free Workplace/Non-Discrimination 

 

The Employer shall continue to enforce its policies on harassment and non-discrimination.

 

Article 17 Duration of the Agreement

 

This agreement shall be effective upon ratification by the Salon Board and the WGAE-Salon Union (no later than October 12, 2018) and shall expire December 31, 2021.

 

 

	
			For The Writers Guild of America, East

			 

			______________________________

			Signature

			______________________________

			Name

			______________________________

			Title

			______________________________

			Date

				
			For Salon Media Group

			 

			______________________________

			Signature

			______________________________

			Name

			______________________________

			Title

			______________________________

			Date

			

 

 

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