Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1530033
38 SAG-AFTRA | Fall/Winter 2024 | sagaftra.org Broadcast News Journalist Safety Summit Goes National T he environment for journalists working in the field has changed dramatically over the course of the last decade. There are daily incidents of journalists and their crews being subject to violence and other dangers while covering stories, and newsrooms across the country are increasingly engaging in important conversations on the subject of journalist safety. On Oct. 8, SAG-AFTRA hosted its first national journalist safety summit virtually via Zoom to hear from experts from across the industry on the topic. SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher and Executive Vice President Linda Powell joined national broadcast leaders Bob Butler, Cheri Preston and Tracee Wilkins, delivering opening remarks and emphasizing the importance of members' safety to the union. Panelists included SAG-AFTRA members, public safety officials and partners from management at SAG-AFTRA stations, who came together with the shared commitment to find ways to best allow journalists to safely do their jobs. The discussion touched on SAG-AFTRA's work building a safety coalition in the Bay Area as a model, highlighted significant firsthand field experiences from reporters, and gave an overview of best practices from both the management and member perspectives before opening up for a productive Q&A with the audience. In this critical time for journalists, members, employers and safety experts were eager to collaborate on the need to implement protections for journalists. The Broadcast Steering Committee was scheduled to meet in person in the winter to continue the conversation around journalist safety. Solidarity Pays Off for WHYY Members I n October, a crowd of 50 members and community supporters gathered outside of the office of WHYY in Philadelphia to demand a fair contract. Pennsylvania state Sen. Nikil Saval, Philadelphia City Council member Nicolas O'Rourke, and Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO President Danny Bauder also joined to deliver messages of support and solidarity. About two weeks after the rally, the contract was ratified by unit members with a majority vote. Highlights of the gains achieved in the contract include quicker access to health insurance, protections against A.I. replication, and the right to bargain over changes to their hybrid work policy. The unit negotiated a 3% wage increase across the board, with a third of the unit members earning an increase between 4%–11%. SAG-AFTRA Broadcaster Moderates U.N. Labor Briefing SAG-AFTRA member and broadcaster Tanya Hutchins is a panel moderator during the International Labour Organization Congressional briefing Confronting Forced Labor in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 18. The event centered around advancing social and economic justice through the development of international standards of labor. Steward Training: Weingarten Rights SAG-AFTRA staff hosted a national steward training on Weingarten rights in October, discussing the role of a shop steward and how members should assert their rights. All SAG-AFTRA broadcasters should cut out, save and memorize this card with a reminder of your rights, or download a copy at sagaftra.org.