Broadcast News

By John Haer

Quick Pact in Erie

WICU-TV and AFTRA made short work of bargaining this summer. A new contract was agreed to after only one meeting! The key was that the owners of the NBC-affiliate, SJL of Penna., Inc, were pleased with the work of their staff and were prepared to offer fair improvements. For their part, AFTRA members recognized and unanimously approved a better-than-average offer. The new 3-year deal features wage increases of at least 4% (retroactive to 5/1/03), 3.5%, and 3%; improved vacation allowance; a raise in the severance cap; and increases in employer contributions to supplemental benefit plans. Kudos to AFTRA Station Rep. Mark Soliday for helping build an ethos of effective staff-management communication at the station.

More Stations Join the Clear Channel Fray

Negotiations at WWSW-FM and WBGG-AM, on-going more than a year, have entered phase two now that sister Clear Channel stations WDVE, WJJJ, and WKST also have open contracts. To date, the Company is still insisting on cutting holiday benefits, refusing overtime payments to staff above minimum wage rates, and slashing AFTRA H & R contributions. Moreover, they are not offering economic improvements and voice-tracking protections here that they have offered at other AFTRA stations around the country. If CC takes the same stance with all its Pittsburgh stations, expect a Big Fight this Fall. The 3WS Bargaining Committee, including Sheri Seiter, Mike Frazer, Peter Morley, and Shawn Israel, are keeping the bargaining chairs warm for their AFTRA  comrades.

Channel 2 Progress

Progress is slow but steady in the on-going talks for a new contract at KDKA-TV. Meetings in May and June clarified the application of the Freelance Contract and also resulted in the station backing off from severance cutback demands. Still at issue are AFTRA proposals for representation at WNPA and economic improvements. Special thanks to members Paul Martino, John Steigerwald, Ken Rice, and Jeff Verszyla for helping bolster the AFTRA presentations at the table. Also thanks to AFTRA National Associate Executive Director Mathis Dunn who flew in to straighten out the freelance contract talks.

WAMO Settles, SBN Talks Begin

After working under an extended contract since 1997, AFTRA members at WAMO-FM, WAMO-AM, WPGR-AM, and WSSZ-FM, all owned by Sheridan Broadcasting Corporation, finally have a new contract thanks to a compromise reached on contract language governing full-time and part-time staff ratios. The new pact features 3% increases in each of the next three years and an increase in the AFTRA Health and Retirement Fund Contribution by the station. Thanks to all the WAMO employees for sticking with AFTRA. And thanks as well to Federal Mediator Bob Ditillo who helped broker the settlement.

Meanwhile, talks have begun for a renewal contract at Sheridan Broadcasting Network (SBN), where twenty AFTRA newspeople, producers, and audio journalists provide news and programming to radio stations targeting African-American and urban audiences. AFTRA is seeking a special scale increase for audio journalists; an increase in the network’s H &R contributions; and a labor/management committee to iron out issues as they arise. AFTRA Station Rep. Gerry Scott attended the first negotiations, and reports that a settlement is within reach.

Traffic Reporter at Channel 11 Stalled From Contract

That was the unfortunate decision of Arbitrator Elliot Newman in a case brought by AFTRA on behalf of Morning Traffic Reporter Trisha Pittman. AFTRA unsuccessfully argued that even though Pittman was paid by Metro Networks, her services to WPXI –TV were covered under the AFTRA – WPXI Freelance Agreement. The decision throws the issue back to bargaining between the parties in two years.

Proposals Sent for Infinity Stations

The first meeting to discuss a new agreement for stations WBZZ, WDSY, and WZPT has been delayed while Infinity’s Legal Counsel deals with other contracts. But AFTRA has moved the process by sending its bargaining proposals in advance to the stations. Talks are expected to begin in September, with retroactivity of any increases now a priority issue. AFTRA members, including Station Rep Stoney Richards, are eager to begin.