Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1367665
36 SAG-AFTRA | Spring 2021 | sagaftra.org Broadcast News Diversity, Equity and Inclusion on the Agenda for Broadcast Steering Committee O n March 6, the SAG-AFTRA Broadcast Steering Committee held its first meeting of 2021. Held virtually, it was the first of three meetings of the BSC this year. Following up on work the committee started in June 2020, the agenda included a discussion on increasing equity and inclusion in SAG-AFTRA newsrooms and the broadcast industry. SAG-AFTRA Interim National Director, Equity & Inclusion, Ellen Huang shared the work of her department with the BSC and, through the main discussion and in a breakout group, helped members identify priorities and next steps for the committee to take to have a meaningful impact in members' workplaces. The committee discussed creating a work group dedicated to these issues, continuing to bargain contract language dedicated to equity and inclusion, mentoring students and new members of the media industry, and continuing to engage employers on these issues during labor-management meetings. Members of the committee also participated in breakout sessions to discuss safety in the field and COVID-19 protocols, social media and bargaining priorities. The breakout groups reported back to the larger BSC body, with staff and members committing to work on these issues at both local and national levels. The Broadcast Steering Committee will meet again in early summer. Broadcasters Negotiate First Contracts W ith so many recent broadcast organizing victories, bargaining teams have come together and identified priorities to secure contract gains for broadcasters and content creators across the SAG-AFTRA locals. With the support of members from each local and the SAG-AFTRA broadcast community, the following stations opened negotiations this year for first contracts for these newly organized units: • The Classical, KSJN, and The Current, KCMP, at Minnesota Public Radio, Twin Cities Local. • WBGO Jazz in Newark, New Jersey, New York Local. • WAMU, American University, Washington-Mid Atlantic Local. • KDKA Producers, CBS Pittsburgh, Ohio-Pittsburgh Local. SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris hailed the organizing victories. "This is a direct result of local leaders, organizing and broadcast staff working on a united front advocating for the broadcast community. We are all very excited to work with broadcasters who want to have their voices heard through the collective bargaining process and be part of our national union," she said. Twin Cities Local President Peter Moore welcomed his locals' newest members and called out their hard work. "The broadcasters at Minnesota Public Radio Classical and The Current showed courage and resilience in organizing their shops. Despite the harrowing circumstances of this past year in the Twin Cities, they persevered and prevailed," he said. "These organizing victories demonstrate clearly that unions remain vital to broadcasters." Legendary New York Broadcaster Retires A ccomplished New York broadcaster Rich Lamb was honored during the March 6 meeting of the Broadcast Steering Committee for his years of service to the union, a brilliant career and for inspiring other broadcasters. A member of the committee, Lamb worked as a city reporter for 43 years at WCBS-AM in New York City, where he served for a long time as shop steward. On the occasion of his retirement on Feb. 25, the station named its newsroom after him and hosted an extraordinary two-hour on-air tribute. WCBS reporter and colleague Sean Adams noted that Lamb was on the scene for New York's biggest stories and recounted how his poetic way with words engaged audiences. "I think he's Mark Twain with a microphone. He's an American original. He's a man of superior wit and wisdom who has informed, educated and entertained the masses for decades." Lamb thanked the speakers and reflected on his career and union service. "I love the union, of course. I always tell the kids, you know, without unions, we wouldn't have a 40-hour work week, we wouldn't have weekends, we wouldn't have any redress," he said. "Let's think of the what the union has meant to the United States of America and let's hope that it continues to grow and be stronger. I love being part of this union." Broadcaster Rich Lamb holds a sign proclaiming that the WCBS newsroom is now named in his honor.