Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1251534
31 SAG-AFTRA | Spring 2020 | sagaftra.org M omentum is growing in the campaign for a first SAG-AFTRA contract in Spanish-language radio. Building off the success of the historic first Spanish-language TV contract for Telemundo performers, SAG-AFTRA has been working to secure a union contract in Spanish-language radio. The ongoing effort has seen member actions in Miami, Chicago and more recently, Los Angeles, where on Feb. 27 hundreds of members and staff gathered outside of the headquarters of Spanish Broadcasting System stations Mega 96.3 and La Raza 97.9. These are the stations where DJs and media professionals on Aug. 1, 2016, voted overwhelmingly to have SAG-AFTRA serve as their collective bargaining representative. In September 2018, the on-air talent at SBS Chicago station La Ley 107.9 followed the example of their colleagues in Los Angeles. During the Los Angeles rally in February, SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris and National Executive Director David White were joined by Executive Vice President Rebecca Damon; Vice President, Los Angeles, Clyde Kusatsu; Vice President, Actors/Performers William Charlton; Vice President, Broadcasters Bob Butler; Vice President, Recording Artists/Singers Dan Navarro; L.A. Local President Patricia Richardson; National Board members; and members Jon Huertas and Elyfer Torres. In addition, state Sen. María Elena Durazo and Los Angeles County Federation of Labor President Ron Herrera turned out in support. "The SBS union employees working seven floors up from where we stand here today are talented media professionals and we're proud to represent them. At SAG-AFTRA, we talk about our members being the best in the business, and that is true here in Spanish-language media. The ratings, the revenues keep soaring — all thanks to the efforts and hard work of these union employees," Carteris said. "Three-and-a-half years these members have been fighting for their right to work with dignity under a fair contract. The success of SBS is on their backs. They need to have a fair wage, not the double-digit cuts management has proposed," she said. She also had a message for SBS President and CEO Raúl Alarcón Jr. "We're watching you and we're going to fight to the bitter end because it's a righteous cause," she said. "We will be here one day longer than management." From the SBS unit, the crowd in Los Angeles heard from Félix Castillo, AKA DJ Mr. Boro, who was joined on the stage by Alex Perez, Gil Rojas, Tony Mora, Ernesto "Smoochy" Martinez, Abraham Chavez and Ramon Castillo Moran. After the speeches wrapped up, SAG-AFTRA recording artist Aloe Blacc performed the hit song Wake Me Up. Yolanda Giron, an on-air DJ at Mega, said of the rally, "I feel like our message is being heard a lot more clearly than three years ago. Here we are still fighting. We're not going to stop, because whether it's with our contract or with those who come after us, they deserve to get paid fairly. We are not doing minimum-wage jobs and we are getting paid minimum wage." SBS, which is one of the largest Hispanic-owned media companies in the country, has proven itself a recidivist lawbreaker. Three times since the contract campaign began in 2016, the National Labor Relations Board has found merit and authorized issuance of complaint against SBS on over 100 separate allegations of unfair labor practices in violation of federal labor. In 2017, on-air and off-air employees were wrongfully terminated — and later reinstated after tireless efforts by SAG-AFTRA and an order by the NLRB. SBS' bad-faith bargaining, which has spanned more than 100 bargaining sessions, is what prompted the incredible show of support during the rally. Union support for the campaign includes AFM Spanish-Language Radio Campaign Enters New Phase From left, SAG-AFTRA Vice President, Recording Artists/Singers Dan Navarro, SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris and SAG-AFTRA recording artist member and activist Aloe Blacc stand outside of Spanish Broadcasting System's Los Angeles office on Feb. 27. SAG-AFTRA SBS continues on page 85