Staff at California stations CapRadio and North State Public Radio announced plans Wednesday to unionize.
The staffers have asked management for voluntary recognition of their union with the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians–Communications Workers of America Local 51.
NSPR is a service of CapRadio.
The workers are forming the union to bring about “more equitable working conditions to sustain our organization — and the workers who run it — for the long-term,” according to a vision statement posted on the union’s Facebook page.
The statement mentioned a desire for a “sustainable future” and cited uncertainty at the station after an audit last year uncovered financial mismanagement. In September, the organization cut 12% of its workforce.
“Over the last decade, CapRadio has grown rapidly, increasing both our headcount and the number of stations we manage,” the statement said. “But in recent months, CapRadio has grappled with layoffs, poor management that has led to critically understaffed areas, limited internal communications to staff, and a sudden stoppage to health care insurance followed by higher employee costs for coverage. We are experiencing a high attrition rate and disparities in compensation, and have not had raises commensurate with rising costs of living in the region.”
“We were notified Wednesday that staff at CapRadio intend to unionize, and we have been asked to respond within 48 hours,” said a CapRadio spokesperson in an email to Current. “We are evaluating the best course of action for staff and the future sustainability of the organization.”
This article has been updated with a statement from a CapRadio spokesperson.