Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1498689
42 SAG-AFTRA | Spring 2023 | sagaftra.org Broadcast News WFAE Organizing T he content staff of Charlotte, North Carolina, station WFAE have officially formed a union with SAG-AFTRA, becoming the first unionized public radio station in the Carolinas. This organizing victory was driven by WFAE employees, and is particularly noteworthy in that North Carolina is a so-called "right-to-work" state that has laws in place to undermine organized labor. More than 70% of WFAE's employees, including reporters, producers, hosts, digital staff and other content creators, signed union authorization cards with the intent to be officially represented by SAG-AFTRA. Based on those results, which were verified by a neutral third party, WFAE management agreed to voluntarily recognize the union. Content staff employees can now begin negotiating a collective bargaining agreement with WFAE. "Our goal is to ensure that WFAE is a safe, equitable place to work. This union will be key to WFAE's continued success," said the employee organizing committee in a public statement on Dec. 2. "Voluntary recognition ensures that we can begin the collective bargaining process as soon as possible to make our station stronger than ever. With our union, we will have a seat at the table and be able to help shape the future of WFAE and better serve the Charlotte community." Broadcasters Learn the Basics of Personal Service Contracts O n Jan. 17, the SAG-AFTRA President's Task Force on Education, Outreach & Engagement hosted Personal Service Agreements 101 with guest presenter Mary Cavallaro, SAG-AFTRA's chief broadcast officer. Cavallaro's presentation broke down the basics of personal service agreements, employment contracts commonly used in the broadcasting industry. In addition to outlining contract terminology often used in personal service contracts, she offered advice to viewers on navigating workplace scenarios radio and television broadcasters may experience prior to, during and after their employment. Throughout the session, Cavallaro encouraged broadcasters to contact the SAG-AFTRA News & Broadcast Department for assistance on understanding the terms of their personal service contracts and contract negotiation. "The important thing to remember is the union contract always sets the minimum terms [of your] contract. That's why it's important to know if something in your personal service contract conflicts with the union contract; you want to know that the union contract can trump that provision, or if you can bargain for more," said Cavallaro. Watch a replay of the presentation at sagaftra.org/videos. Spanish-Language Media Sees Major Organizing Victory With KVEA/Telemundo 52 I n an overwhelming vote of 18 to 1, on-air talent at KVEA/Telemundo 52 has been recognized as a bargaining unit of SAG-AFTRA. The election to form the new Los Angeles-based unit, which includes station anchors and reporters, was overseen by the National Labor Relations Board. Members of KVEA join fellow broadcasters at KNBC to achieve a fair contract with NBC Universal, their shared parent company. NBC's ownership of both stations has created a duopoly in Los Angeles, a fact KVEA hopes to utilize to its full advantage. "We exist as part of Los Angeles' biggest duopoly, but lack the same working conditions that our peers receive," said representatives of the station's organizing committee. "We look forward to working with management on improving the working conditions for KVEA's extraordinary talent." Said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland in a Jan. 20 press release, "The resounding victory of 18 yes to 1 no tells management that our newest members are serious about getting to work bargaining a union contract. This result exemplifies our union's dedication to ensuring all workers in media and entertainment, regardless of the language they report in or perform in, are guaranteed just wages and safe working conditions, and a strong voice at their workplace." SAG-AFTRA continues to organize Spanish-language media and entertainment workers nationwide. In addition to KVEA anchors and reporters, the union represents employees at Telemundo Studios, WSNS-TV in Chicago, WXTV-DT in New Jersey and Telemundo 44 Washington, D.C. This result exemplifies our union's dedication to ensuring all workers in media and entertainment, regardless of the language they report in or perform in, are guaranteed just wages and safe working conditions, and a strong voice at their workplace.