Staffers of CapRadio in Sacramento, Calif., and North State Public Radio in Chico voted Wednesday to be represented by the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians–Communications Workers of America Local 51 union.
Eighty percent of 56 eligible staffers voted to approve the union, which is made up of staff across departments at both stations.
Staffers announced plans in January to unionize, citing in a vision statement a desire for “more equitable working conditions to sustain our organization — and the workers who run it — for the long-term.”
NSPR is a service of CapRadio.
“We look forward to working with new Interim General Manager Frank Maranzino and the new CapRadio Board of Directors,” NABET said in a press release. “Together, our union wants to help ensure CapRadio not only survives the current financial difficulties, but thrives. We are fighting for the future of CapRadio and for a public radio organization where all of us can see ourselves working — and respected — for years to come.”
Layoffs at CapRadio and NSPR last year affected 12% of staff, and an audit uncovered financial mismanagement at the station, according to a CapRadio news story.
“CapRadio recognizes our employees’ right to organize and choose to join a union,” the station said in a statement. “CapRadio will continue working to ensure our financial and organizational stability so that we can best serve the public.”