System/Policy
NPR union employees ramp up campaign as contract deadline nears
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A temporary contract expires at midnight.
Federal funding
Arts unions protest Trump budget cuts in letter to Congress
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“Ending federal support for the NEA, NEH, or CPB would be a radical, unprecedented action,” the letter said.
Quick Takes
WGBH, WNET Writers Guild members agree to new contract
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The deal provides a 3 percent increase in minimum salaries effective July 1, 2016.
Minnesota Public Radio
Minnesota Public Radio newsroom votes to unionize
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MPR is the latest public radio newsroom to join SAG-AFTRA.
Quick Takes
‘Chicago Tonight’ producers approve SAG–AFTRA representation
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Thirteen employees of the program were eligible to participate.
Quick Takes
‘Chicago Tonight’ producers at WTTW to vote to join SAG-AFTRA
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The proposed unit would comprise 11 full-time and regular part-time producers who work on the program.
Quick Takes
Union shares details of NPR contract
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The two-year contract includes pay raises of 2.5 percent that take effect Jan. 1, 2016, and Jan. 1, 2017.
System/Policy
While NPR employees negotiate, staffers at two stations approve first union contracts
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NPR staffers are taking to Twitter to call attention to union negotiations.
"The Pub" Podcast
The Pub #13: WNET stands by documentary rescheduling; why public media unions are spreading
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WNET and PBS officials recently concluded a “listening tour” to hear the concerns of documentarians. Did it change their outlook?
NPR
NPR, technicians’ union agree on contract
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The new contract drops several proposals opposed by the union.
Programs/Content
Technicians’ union objects to NPR proposal to reduce job protections
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The union supporting NPR’s engineers and audio technicians is pushing back against new contract proposals.
Quick Takes
KPCC negotiates first three-year contract with union
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After 16 months of negotiations, unionized employees at KPCC in Pasadena, Calif., have negotiated their first contract with management.
System/Policy
NLRB to resolve contested union election at Baltimore’s WYPR-FM
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A dispute over unionization at Baltimore’s WYPR will be resolved by the National Labor Relations Board. WYPR staff voted July 30 on whether to seek representation from broadcast union SAG-AFTRA. Nine voted in favor and 11 against, with seven votes contested by one of the parties, according to an NLRB official who requested anonymity when commenting on an ongoing proceeding. The NLRB will review the contested votes to determine their eligibility, with the vote recounted only if at least three of the contested votes are determined eligible. SAG-AFTRA can only enter the workplace with a majority vote.
Quick Takes
Friday roundup: WYPR union effort stalls; Downton Abbey reportedly bans modern undies
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Plus: Mike Starling starts an LPFM station, and NPR’s creative director talks about her work process.
Quick Takes
Met declares season on schedule after latest union agreement
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The opera house is on track to premiere its 2014-15 season as scheduled, with public radio broadcasts to follow.
Programs/Content
Met reaches agreement with major unions, hopes to avoid lockout
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The Metropolitan Opera has reached a tentative agreement with two of the three bargaining units representing its workers.
Programs/Content
Labor strife at Met could leave hole in classical stations’ schedules
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A lockout at the New York opera house would force more than 300 stations to make tough choices.
System/Policy
As newsrooms expand, employees at several stations push to unionize
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Public media employees have increasingly sought to organize unions during the past two years, spurred by expanding newsrooms, shifting management priorities and a desire for more influence in strategic planning.
Quick Takes
WYPR staffers petition to join SAG-AFTRA union
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Editorial staffers at Baltimore’s WYPR are petitioning management for union representation, according to a June 6 release from broadcast union SAG-AFTRA, which seeks to represent them. A majority of editorial staff delivered a union petition to management June 3, and the National Labor Relations Board received a petition June 6, according to the release. Management has not yet acknowledged the petition. “We all believe in the value of public radio, as well as WYPR’s mission to produce high-quality journalism,” the release read. “We want to see the station improve and better serve listeners across the state.