NLRB Issues Complaint, Seeks Order Against Spanish Broadcasting System For Anti-Union Firings At L.A. Cluster

Order Sought

The NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD has issued a consolidated complaint and will seek an order to force SPANISH BROADCASTING SYSTEM to bargain in good faith with SAG-AFTRA. DEADLINE reports that the NLRB also wants SBS to "make whole" eight employees allegedly fired for participating in union organizing activities at SBS' LOS ANGELES cluster.

The order sought by the NLRB would restore the eight staffers' employment with back pay plus interest and consequential damages (including medical expenses). A hearing is scheduled for DECEMBER 11th. The staffers include MARLENE QUINTO, ERIKA GARZA, SANDRA BANUELOS, GERARDO CARDOSO, FELIX CASTILLO, ABRAHAM CHAVEZ, ANTHONY MORA, and ANA RAMIREZ.

A statement from SBS General Counsel RICHARD D. LARA said, “SBS continues to deny these allegations as being false, baseless, and inflammatory. No further comment at this time since the matter is in litigation."

But SAG-AFTRA President GABRIELLE CARTERIS said, “We are pleased by the NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD’s decision. Today, the eight unlawfully terminated SBS employees have been vindicated. Employers who refuse to treat their staff with dignity and pay them lawfully mandated wages should be held accountable for their actions and SBS is no exception.”

SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director DAVID WHITE said, “Today’s decision is a victory for the SBS employees who exercised their federally-protected right to unionize. For more than a year, SBS has been shirking its duty to its employees. They have refused to bargain in good faith and have been stifling negotiations. We are optimistic about DECEMBER’s trial and look forward to negotiating a contract our Spanish-language on-and-off air talent deserve.”

Read the NLRB decision here.

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