Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/605448
36 SAG-AFTRA | Fall 2015 | SAGAFTRA.org Broadcast News National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association 25th Annual Convention San Francisco / Sept. 3–6 SAG-AFTRA was a sponsor of this year's NLGJA Convention. San Francisco-Northern California Local Executive Director Leonard Egert and Broadcast Business Representative Jessica Bowker attended to provide member outreach, education and organizing opportunities. Excellence in Journalism Orlando / Sept. 18–20 The Radio Television and Digital News Association and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists teamed up to produce the largest national journalist convention, the Excellence in Journalism conference. SAG-AFTRA, a longtime sponsor, had a popular booth in the exhibition hall, where attending staff interacted with members and future members, providing information about the important role the union plays in careers of member broadcasters. Members who stopped by the booth showed their SAG-AFTRA pride by having their picture taken with their union cards for SAG-AFTRA's Show Us Your Card campaign. In addition, National Director, News & Broadcast Southern California Anna Calderon was a featured speaker in the panel discussion Be Safe and Savvy: Covering Protests, Unrest and Demonstrations in the U.S. A hot-button issue after a year of unrest across the country, the union's participation in the panel also highlighted its Safety4Media campaign, an important union initiative to ensure safety in the workplace and in the field for news and broadcast members. KPBS, WBEZ GET FIRST CONTRACTS L eadership, organizing and solidarity are evident in some of the newest SAG-AFTRA shops, where first contracts were negotiated at KPBS in San Diego and WBEZ in Chicago. The new union members at these stations showed both great enthusiasm and great resourcefulness in maintaining the strength and focus that is required in the long haul to achieving a first union contract. The victories at these public media operations send a clear message to the radio and broadcast industries that their employees want and deserve the wages and working conditions that a SAG-AFTRA contract provides. FOCUS ON WEINGARTEN A t its Aug. 22 meeting in New York City, SAG-AFTRA's Broadcast Steering Committee focused on Weingarten rights and internal organizing. Weingarten rights come into play whenever an employer requests a meeting with an employee that may be investigatory in nature. Employees have a right to union representation at these meetings. Whether it is a shop steward or a staff member, union representatives should always be present to safeguard the interests of the employee. The BSC members received training on how to properly represent their member colleagues if they are called into such a meeting and what to do if they are called into such a meeting themselves. Internal organizing strategies are critical for achieving strong contracts. It falls to the shop stewards and other workplace leaders to organize and galvanize their colleagues in ways that ensure unity, strength and positive outcomes for all. BSC members were trained on effective tools to communicate with their members on union issues, the importance of engaging members in negotiations and how to address day-to-day issues in shops. Meeting three times a year, the BSC is made up of activist members from all locals with broadcast contracts who convene to guide the union's policies and strategies in this important area of work. In addition to setting strategy and making policy recommendations, BSC members receive training in union leadership, negotiations and workplace rights that they take back to their locals to educate and empower their colleagues. This training is in keeping with the goals of the President's Task Force on Education, Outreach and Engagement. GETTING PERSONAL I n September, members in New Orleans had the opportunity to hear from union experts on the subject of personal service contracts (PSCs) for local broadcasters. Staff members, including Chief Broadcast Officer Mary Cavallaro, New Orleans Broadcast Director Herta Suarez and Organizing Director, Eastern Region Jennifer Peat, hosted the workshop, which focused on the contracts that broadcasters sign when they take a job and that can affect their careers for years to come. Since no PSC can violate the terms of SAG-AFTRA agreements at a union station, the union takes an active role in reviewing these contracts by providing analysis and an understanding of the provisions to assist members in their negotiations with their employers. Through such efforts, New Orleans members are becoming an educated and engaged force at their stations. Conferences continues from page 34 Sports broadcaster Siera Santos at the Excellence in Journalism conference.