SBS/Los Angeles On-Air Staff Votes To Unionize, While SAG-AFTRA-KNBR/S.F. Talks Get Testy

Radio Action

On-air talent at SPANISH BROADCASTING SYSTEM Regional Mexican KLAX (97.9 LA RAZA) and Spanish Hits KXOL (MEGA 96.3)/LOS ANGELES has voted to unionize and have SAG-AFTRA represent them.  The vote came MONDAY (8/1) and resulted in the ratification of the new bargaining unit, made up of 28 employees, including hosts, announcers, mixers, DJs, and other on-air staff.

“We welcome the media professionals at LA RAZA and LA MEGA and stand united to ensure they are able to negotiate a contract they deserve, with similar compensation terms and workplace protections thousands of our broadcast members already share across the country,” said SAG-AFTRA President GABRIELLE CARTERIS.

 “The employees of LA RAZA and LA MEGA are committed, motivated and talented individuals who deserve better,” said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director DAVID WHITE. “Voting to join SAG-AFTRA is the first step to make sure they are properly compensated like the professionals that they are.”

Negotiations Go Public At KNBR/San Francisco, To Management's Displeasure

Meanwhile, SAG-AFTRA continues to negotiate for employees at CUMULUS Sports KNBR-A/SAN FRANCISCO, and the station has issued a statement from VP/Market Manager JUSTIN WITTMAYER criticizing the union's position and attempting to put its own position forward.

The statement says, “Recently, it has come to our attention that our KNBR SAG-AFTRA employees have been holding press conferences expressing their concern that KNBR is either not agreeing to wage increases, or is offering only very small increases, in the context of its union contract negotiations. While KNBR normally would not comment on these negotiations, it is important that our SAN FRANCISCO business partners, clients, city officials and employees understand that such statements are completely false.

"In fact, during the last negotiation session, which included the assistance of a federal mediator, the company offered wage increases ranging from 3% to 16.3% depending on the pay and the position held by KNBR union members, which by any means are significant. The company has also offered other concessions, including paid vacation for KNBR's part-time employees, which is a benefit largely unavailable to part-time employees. Unfortunately, the union has responded with wildly unreasonable demands, including, without limitation: demands for immediate wage increases as high as 145%, total increases of nearly 153% and time off proposals that are completely unworkable.

"We greatly value all of our KNBR employees and are committed to reaching a fair agreement. We will continue to strive to reward the efforts of our KNBR employees, and look forward to receiving the next offer from SAG-AFTRA, for which we have been waiting since FEBRUARY, 2016.”

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