TV station unions

[Chicago2008 20]

Good Evening, 

I know in the Chicago market all of the TV stations are Union shops. I think some of the behind the scenes staff are union? Is this the case in other markets? Also are TV reporters members of SAG-AFTRA or does that also very by market? Thanks

[Howard Beale 57]

It varies by state.  You typically will not find unions at TV stations in states that ban union membership as a condition of employment, aka “right to work” states.  Larger markets are typically unionized in part or whole, but even small markets can have a union presence, i.e. Erie, Pennsylvania.

 

Union representation usually, but not always, breaks down as follows:

 

SAG-AFTRA: On-air reporters and anchors

NABET-CWA: Photographers, editors, directors, engineers, producers (sometimes), assignment editors (sometimes)

IBEW: Photographers, editors, engineers

WGA: Producers

IATSE: Directors, photographers, editors, engineers

[DENDude 217]

Denver now has 3 union TV stations all with NABET-CWA.

• KCNC [CBS] (since 9/95) *Engineering*
• KWGN [The CW] (since 3/24) *Assignment Desk* *Production*
• KDVR/KFCT [FOX] (since 3/24) *Assignment Desk* *Production*  *Nexstar Media Group Master Control Hub*

And maybe some of the Denver/Boulder Radio Stations??

[Chicago2008 20]

In Chicago the TV station unions are:

WLS (ABC) NABET-CWA

WMAQ (NBC) NABET-CWA

WFLD (Fox) NABET-CWA

WBBM (CBS) IBEW

WGN(9) IBEW

I think the reporters and anchors at WGN and WLS are in SAG-AFTRA

[Megatron81 258]

I think in Denver Perry Sook doesn't want to work with the union and there was a protest at KDVR/KWGN. I don't think in West Michigan there is a union for the Wood TV, WZZM, WXMI, WWMT I'm not sure on that.

[MediaZone4K 2176]

On 6/17/2024 at 2:18 PM, Megatron81 said:

I think in Denver Perry Sook doesn't want to work with the union and there was a protest at KDVR/KWGN. I don't think in West Michigan there is a union for the Wood TV, WZZM, WXMI, WWMT I'm not sure on that.

Similarly, employyes at WROC (CBS 8 Rochester, NY) are picketing over Nexstar's refusal to recognize their union.

 

https://rbj.net/2024/06/10/wroc-union-plans-picket-over-stalled-contract-talks/

 

From my experience, you need about 75% of Staff support for the union to be recognized.

 

According to the article, Nexstar tried to claim that producers are ineligible for unions because they serve in a management capacity.

The National Labor Relations Board however ruled producers were union elligable.

 

Do you all think the unionization attempts will be successful?

Edited July 1, 2024 by MediaZone4K

[Megatron81 258]

15 hours ago, MediaZone4K said:

Similarly, employyes at WROC (CBS 8 Rochester, NY) are picketing over Nexstar's refusal to recognize their union.

 

https://rbj.net/2024/06/10/wroc-union-plans-picket-over-stalled-contract-talks/

 

From my experience, you need about 75% of Staff support for the union to be recognized.

 

According to the article, Nexstar tried to claim that producers are ineligible for unions because they serve in a management capacity.

The National Labor Relations Board however ruled producers were union elligable.

 

Do you all think the unionization attempts will be successful?

 

I think some will be union shops while others will not become union shops as TV station owners will fight tooth & nail to not have a union shop.

[Chicago2008 20]

When it comes to so called one man banding, I would be correct to assume that union rules/contracts play a role in how often if ever it's used?