iHeartMedia Won't Assume WBZ-A/Boston's Union Contracts, Will Have All Employees Re-Apply For Jobs

New Owner

Employees of CBS RADIO News-Talk WBZ-A/BOSTON were introduced to their new owners, iHEARTMEDIA, just last week, but shortly thereafter, they got a message from the new management that wasn't what they were expecting: their union contracts are not being assumed by iHEARTMEDIA and they will all have to reapply for their jobs.

A letter dated THURSDAY (11/2) sent under the signature of iHEARTMEDIA Senior Corporate Labor Counsel STEPHEN G. TAYLOR obtained by ALL ACCESS says that iHEARTMEDIA" will interview and consider for employment the on-air announcers and off-air production staff currently employed by CBS at WBZ-AM and represented by SAG-AFTRA." 

The letter says that the new owners "will be making a number of changes to integrate WBZ-AM into the iHEART platform, (but) it will have a number of positions to fill.  Interested individuals who meet our qualifications will be offered employment under iHEARTMEDIA’s compensation and benefits program.  iHEARTMEDIA will not be assuming the two collective bargaining agreements between CBS RADIO and SAG-AFTRA. We fully expect and hope that those announcers and production staff offered employment will choose to work for WBZ-AM as an iHEARTMEDIA radio station."

SAG-AFTRA National Director, News and Broadcast TOM HIGGINS told the BOSTON GLOBE that iHEARTMEDIA "should honor our union contracts.  They should not disrespect people by having them re-apply for jobs that they’ve had for decades in some cases.”  However, he noted that WBZ has been a successful station and that he does not believe that iHEARTMEDIA has "any intention of gutting" the station.

iHEARTMEDIA spokesperson WENDY GOLDBERG told ALL ACCESS, "When stations change hands there are many moving parts, and we are working to resolve them as quickly as we can.  That includes labor contracts, which aren’t transferring.

"We know this process may cause anxiety, and we truly apologize for any discomfort some union employees may be feeling.  We plan to get all these important details in  place as soon as possible.  

"iHEARTMEDIA and SAG-AFTRA have worked constructively after other transactions and we expect that to continue after the acquisition of WBZ-AM.  We plan to work with the union as we integrate WBZ into the iHEART family."

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