Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1486263
42 SAG-AFTRA | Fall/Winter 2022 | sagaftra.org Broadcast News Pittsburgh TV, D.C. Radio Stations Get First Contracts S AG-AFTRA's success in organizing media stations nationwide has been translating into more units with a first contract, and now two more have achieved this significant milestone. Employees of WAMU 88.5 FM radio, a public news/talk station that serves the greater Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, got their first contract in August. The unit consists of approximately 55 on- and off-air employees, including reporters, hosts, editors, engineers, producers and others who create content for all areas of the station, including DCist.com, The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi, 1A, The Big Broadcast, Hot Jazz Saturday Night and the podcasts Dish City, What's With Washington and Diane Rehm: On My Mind. The contract delivers guaranteed wage increases, opportunities for career advancement at the station, increased transparency, training and safety protocols, and mechanisms for monitoring diversity, equity and inclusion at the station. The employees voted unanimously to recognize SAG-AFTRA as their union in December 2020. Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh, KDKA-TV employees reached an agreement for a first contract with CBS Broadcasting Inc. on July 26, which was subsequently ratified on Aug. 15. The new 29-member bargaining unit includes news, sports, web and digital line producers. SAG-AFTRA has represented announcers at the station, including hosts, anchors, meteorologists and reporters, since the 1950s. The contract includes significant wage increases, with more than half of the unit getting annual increases of $7,000 or more. In addition, the union achieved a system of comp time for when employees work in excess of their regular workweek, a labor-management committee dedicated to improving the work-life balance of employees, and protections around employee discipline and termination, including guaranteed severance and a requirement that the employer adhere to the principles of progressive discipline. Producers first informed station management of their intention to organize in October 2020, with management agreeing to voluntarily recognize SAG-AFTRA as their union following a card check in November 2020. Broadcast Steering Committee Remembers Shelby Scott O n August 27, the SAG-AFTRA Broadcast Steering Committee gathered via Zoom for its second meeting of the year. The meeting opened with a tribute to the late broadcaster and union leader Shelby Scott from the New England Local, who served as AFTRA national president for eight years. She was also a board member for many years, a trustee on the AFTRA Health and Retirement Funds, a founding member of the BSC and a leader in the efforts to merge SAG and AFTRA. Her union activism continued as a member of SAG-AFTRA and throughout her retirement. A video highlighting Scott's career and contributions was played before committee members shared fond memories of her career and service as a pioneer female journalist and labor leader. BSC member and Boston journalist Nichole Davis said, "Shelby Scott was a reporter we all trusted and enjoyed watching, but for young women in New England who wanted to go into journalism, she was also inspirational. She was always real; someone we could look up to and relate to. While I admired her style of direct but empathetic reporting, she truly shined in her severe weather coverage, undeniably setting the standard. Seeing her on the screen gave me courage to try my own journalism career, and I know she inspired many other women in our industry, too." The committee went on to discuss general updates and recent victories and challenges in the field, with a particular emphasis on public media organizing and bargaining as well as accountability practices for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The committee also discussed ways to involve and engage broadcast members, allies and employers on the issue of safety for journalists who work in the field. Vice President, Broadcasters Bob Butler led a discussion with the committee on safety in the field and next steps to creating a Safety Bill of Rights, in an effort to continue the focus on this important national issue. In addition, the committee received an in-depth look at current best practices for the union and member leaders in regards to discipline, termination and layoffs. Topics presented and discussed included an overview of representation in Weingarten meetings, separation agreements, contract language on severance, issues of confidentiality and non-disparagement, health coverage and member-produced content. The committee will meet again in December 2022. GETTY IMAGES