SAG-AFTRA is fighting for the rights of unionized employees of Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS), one of the largest Hispanic-owned media companies in the U.S.
Since SBS employees voted to join SAG-AFTRA, SBS has continued to violate federal law by refusing to bargain in good faith. On-air and off-air employees have been wrongfully terminated, poorly paid and denied basic workers’ rights.
What’s at stake in this fight with SBS:
- Fair Pay and working conditions
- Payment for talent endorsement fees
- Proposed wage cuts and furloughs
- Intimidation and retaliation by SBS senior management
Enough is enough. It’s time for SBS to treat its talent and media professionals, who work so diligently to ensure the company’s growth and prosperity, with dignity and respect.
You can help – support the #SOSSBS movement today! Join us in this ongoing fight for a fair first contract for SBS DJs and media professionals.
Sign this petition urging SBS to offer its employees a fair deal
SAG-AFTRA’s greatest power is the solidarity of our members.
Breaking Down SBS
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Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. (SBS) owns and operates radio stations airing in the top Hispanic markets across the United States, and the territory of Puerto Rico. They include two Los Angeles stations – MEGA [96.3] and La Raza [97.9], as well as La Ley [107.9] in Chicago. According to SBS, it is “a national radio platform of over 250 affiliated stations reaching 94% of the U.S. Hispanic audience."
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On August 1, 2016, media professionals at MEGA and La Raza, two SBS radio stations in Los Angeles, voted by an overwhelming majority in favor of having SAG-AFTRA serve as their exclusive collective bargaining agent.
In Los Angeles, the country’s top Spanish-language radio market, SBS pays many of its employees, including DJ’s, minimum wage while at the same time denying payment of talent endorsement fees.
In September 2018, the on-air talent at SBS’s Chicago station, La Ley followed the example of their colleagues in L.A. They voted by an overwhelming majority in favor of having SAG-AFTRA serve as their exclusive collective bargaining agent.
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Radio talent fees are a form of compensation that are paid to talent for rendering services. SBS was paying its talent such fees in connection with endorsements, personal appearances, commercials, as well as live remote broadcasts. But in April 2016, SBS ceased making these payments, leaving many employees scrambling to make ends meet.
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The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is the governmental agency empowered with investigating, prosecuting and remedying unfair labor practices related to employees’ rights to engage in union and/or protected concerted activities.
In response to SBS’s systematic anti-union campaign designed to impede employees from exercising their rights, SAG-AFTRA has filed a myriad of charges with NLRB Region 31. Over the course of the last three and half years, the NLRB Region has found merit to over 100 separate allegations of unfair labor practices in violation of federal labor law, and authorized issuance of formal complaints against SBS on three occasions.
These egregious violations of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) include, among others, multiple unlawful terminations in retaliation for union activities, threats of reprisals, and interrogations; failure to furnish information necessary and relevant to bargaining, direct dealing with employees, surface bargaining, and several substantial unilateral changes to employees’ terms and conditions of employment, including the discontinuation of gift card compensation for employees endorsement work. All of these violations have been an attempt by SBS to decimate employee support for the union and to undermine the union in its attempts’ to negotiate a fair collective-bargaining contract for employees. There’s no question: SBS is a recidivist law breaker that continues to violate the law with impunity. The next NLRB trial in the matter of SAG-AFTRA vs. SBS is on March 30th. We have won our legal battles each step of the way, but SAG-AFTRA will not rest until a fair contract is achieved
Watch & Learn
SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris stands by our union brothers and sisters at La Raza 97.9 FM and MEGA 96.3 FM.
Campaign Supporters
Photo Gallery
SBS bargaining unit members rally in solidarity outside of Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS)’s Los Angeles office, where its two local radio stations, Mega 96.3 FM and La Raza 97.9 FM are located. Photo credit: Maury Phillips/SAG-AFTRA
SAG-AFTRA recording artist member and activist Aloe Blacc performs his hit song "Wake Me Up" at a rally outside of Spanish Broadcasting System’s Los Angeles office. Photo credit: Maury Phillips/SAG-AFTRA.
SAG-AFTRA member and ‘Betty en NY’ star Elyfer Torres addresses the crowd. Photo by Maury Phillips/SAG-AFTRA
A mobile truck in Chicago urged listeners to support La Ley broadcasters fighting for a fair contract.
Chicago-based SBS bargaining unit members and La Ley broadcasters, from left, sports reporter Liz Jiménez, production assistant Iridian Fierro, midday DJ Diane Fong and ‘The Compa Marco’ host Marco Vargas on Feb. 24.
May Day March #SBSLAUNFAIR
Elected officials, members of the Los Angeles labor community, and SAG-AFTRA members gathered at the SAG-AFTRA Community Forum at the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor on Aug. 29. From left: Julie Gutman Dickinson, partner at Bush Gottlieb and outside counsel for SAG-AFTRA; SAG-AFTRA members Abraham Chavez, Jon Huertas, DJ Mr. Boro and Yareli Arizmendi; SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris; L.A. City Councilmember David E. Ryu; and Antonio Bernabe, Organizing Director for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA). Photo by Jesse Grant/SAG-AFTRA.
Jon Huertas and Esai Morales and SBS talent
La Ley sports commentator Elizabeth Jiménez called on SBS to provide a fair first contract to its SAG-AFTRA employees during a press conference in front of La Ley’s Chicago offices Sept. 4, 2019.
SAG-AFTRA members rally outside Spanish Broadcasting System’s Miami headquarters. Photo credit: SAG-AFTRA. Damon has not approved the caption but Tom has seen it and has no changes.
Getting the word out RadioInk Forecast 2020. Spanish Broadcasting System execs refuse to bargain in good faith, offering their employees double digit wage cuts and furloughs instead of a fair deal. The holidays won’t be so “happy” for everyone. #SAGAFTRAUNIDOS
News
InsideRadio: NRLB Could Soon Weigh In On Three-Year Fight Between SBS And Employee Union.
March 12, 2020
After what is said to have been 100 bargaining sessions, the union representing employees at Spanish Broadcasting System’s Los Angeles stations appears no closer to a new contract. A hearing before the National Labor Relations Board this month will address one of the three complaints brought by the union in the three-year old fight between SBS and its employees.
LA Times: Spanish-language radio is booming in L.A. But local DJs say they can barely make rent
March 9, 2020
On the popular La Raza radio station, which pipes regional Mexican music to Los Angeles, he is known as DJ Mr. Boro. But last month, under an unusually warm February sun, Félix Castillo stood on a flatbed truck parked on a Mid-Wilshire side street to address a crowd as himself: an underpaid, highly qualified Mexican American radio worker.
Deadline: SAG-AFTRA Rallies For First Contract With Spanish Broadcasting System
February 27, 2020
Roughly 200 SAG-AFTRA members and staff rallied today outside the Los Angeles offices of the Spanish Broadcasting System – the union’s latest gambit in its three-year-long campaign to secure a first-ever contract at the network’s Spanish-language radio stations La Raza and Mega.
Deadline: SAG-AFTRA To Rally Outside L.A. Offices Of Spanish Broadcasting System, Escalating 3-Year Battle For First Contract
February 21, 2020
SAG-AFTRA will be taking its three-year-long labor dispute with the Spanish Broadcasting System to the streets next week. The union says its members will rally at noon Thursday outside the Los Angeles offices of SBS radio stations Mega and La Raza to pressure the company into negotiating its first contract with the union.
Radio+Television Business Report: NLRB Lobs Second Complaint Against SBS
July 26, 2019
New accusations claiming that Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) is refusing to bargain in good faith have led the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to issue a second complaint against the Miami-based company for “serious unfair labor practices” it has denied.
Inside Radio: NLRB Issues Second Complaint, Sets Trial Over SBS Bargaining
July 26, 2019
The National Labor Relations Board has issued a second complaint against Spanish Broadcasting System for allegedly refusing to bargain in good faith and numerous labor violations, according to union SAG-AFTRA. The NLRB has set a trial date for Oct. 8, 2019.
All Access: NLRB Hits Spanish Broadcasting System With New Complaint As Negotiations With SAG-AFTRA Stall
July 26, 2019
The NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD has issued a second complaint against SPANISH BROADCASTING SYSTEM, alleging that SBS has engaged in "continued bad-faith, surface bargaining that has no intention of getting an agreement, as well as numerous other violations."
Media Moves: SBS faces second NLRB complaint over labor violations
July 29, 2019
Three years after employees at Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) radio stations in Los Angeles LA voted to unionize, there is still no labor agreement.
Radio Ink: SBS Again Draws Ire Of NLRB
July 29, 2019
SAG-AFTRA has announced that the National Labor Relations Board issued a second complaint against Spanish Broadcasting System for what it calls bad faith bargaining. The NLRB set a trial date for Oct. 8, 2019. We are expecting a response from SBS today.
International Musician: Musicians Organize to Create Fair Streaming Agreements
May 27, 2019
Even as our national government is mired in anti-labor policies and politics, the entertainment industry has experienced pioneering organizing over the past few years. Actors, writers, even video game workers, are organizing, acting, and gaining improvements. For musicians, our need to participate in the new streaming economy is an existential imperative.
InsideRadio: SAG-AFTRA Urges SBS To Extend Talent Contracts After Ratings Gains.
May 22, 2019
After Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) recently touted ratings gains for stations in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Miami, SAG-AFTRA is urging management at the Spanish language broadcaster to extend fair contracts to its air talent in L.A. and Chicago.
Radio+Television Business Report: SAG-AFTRA Wants New ‘Fair Contracts’ For SBS Radio Hosts
May 21, 2019
One of the nation’s biggest talent representation unions has called on Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) to extend “fair contracts” to its on-air talent in two key markets.
Medium: Professionals Joining Together in Union: A 2018 Recap
December 20, 2018
It could be said that 2018 was a mixed bag for unions and the labor movement. The Supreme Court’s Janus v. AFSCME decision was a direct attack on public sector unions and President Trump went after federal employees’ workplace rights with three executive orders, while union approval reached a 15-year high at 62 percent. A better way to recap 2018 for professional union members is to look at the employees who chose to join together in union.
Billboard: Union Victory Will Send Terminated SBS Radio Employees Back to Work
January 2, 2018
SAG-AFTRA reaches nearly $500,000 settlement with Latin radio giant in the case of the wrongful termination of eight SBS employees.
Forbes: Fired SBS Radio Employees Will Get Jobs And Back Pay In SAG-AFTRA Settlement
December 20, 2017
SAG-AFTRA has scored a big win for worker representation in a case that could set a precedent in the Los Angeles Spanish-language radio industry.
Deadline: SAG-AFTRA Wins Back Jobs For Fired SBS Radio Hosts
December 19, 2017
In a major victory for the rights of workers to unionize, SAG-AFTRA today reached a nearly $500,000 settlement with the Spanish Broadcasting System in advance of a National Labor Relations Board ruling on the union’s claim that eight of the company’s employees at Los Angeles radio stations La Raza and MEGA were unlawfully terminated in retaliation for exercising their right to unionize.
Media Moves: SBS’s La Ley staffers vote to join SAG-AFTRA
October 1, 2017
The on-air talent at Spanish Broadcasting System’s Chicago radio station La Ley 107.9 (WLEY-FM) voted overwhelmingly to recognize SAG-AFTRA as their union.
Radio Online: WLEY/Chicago Air Talent Vote to Join SAG-AFTRA
September 30, 2017
The air talent at Spanish-language WLEY-FM (La Ley 107.9)/Chicago have voted to recognize SAG-AFTRA as their union. The election was conducted on Friday by the National Labor Relations Board. The new bargaining unit will be made up of eight employees performing on-air services, including, hosts, announcers, mixers, DJs and other on-air services for the station.
Forbes: NLRB Issues Complaint Against SBS Seeking to Reinstate 8 Radio Employees Fired for Unionizing
October 11, 2017
Employees at two Spanish-language radio stations in Los Angeles were intimidated, threatened and fired for seeking union representation, and efforts to negotiate a contract after winning an election were blocked by Spanish Broadcasting Systems (SBS) for over a year, violating fair labor practices, according to multiple charges filed by SAG-AFTRA before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
Press Release: NLRB Issues Official Complaint Against Spanish Broadcasting System
October 10, 2017
SAG-AFTRA today announces that Region 31 of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in Los Angeles has officially issued a complaint against Spanish Broadcasting Systems (SBS) after finding merit to a myriad of egregious unfair labor practice charges filed by the union against the media company. SBS owns two popular Los Angeles Spanish-language music stations, LA RAZA (KLAX 97.9 FM) and MEGA (KXOL 96.3 FM), whose talent providing on-air services voted by an overwhelming majority to unionize and join SAG-AFTRA in August 2016.
Los Angeles Daily News: Fired Spanish-Language Radio Employees Get Win After Labor Board Ruling
September 15, 2017
The former employees of a Spanish-language radio station say they are hopeful they might return to work after being fired for what they say is retaliation for union activity.
LA Weekly: Were Radio Hosts Fired From Two of L.A.’s Popular FM Stations for Union Activity?
September 15, 2017
Felix Castillo says it brought tears to his eyes when he learned of the decision: On Sept. 13 the National Labor Relations Board found sufficient evidence to support charges that he and several of his Spanish-language radio colleagues were fired in retaliation for their union activity. The NLRB, the U.S. government agency that investigates unfair labor practices, will likely hear the case.
Billboard: National Labor Relations Board Finds Merit in SAG-AFTRA Complaints that Hispanic Radio Giant SBS Fired DJS For Union Activities
September 13, 2017
The National Labor Relations Board has found sufficient evidence to support charges that Hispanic radio giant SBS fired on-air talent at two Los Angeles Spanish-language radio stations in retaliation for union activities, Billboard has learned.
Press Release: NLRB Authorizes Issuance of Formal Complaint Against SBS for Egregious Unfair Labor Practices
September 13, 2017
After a thorough investigation, Region 31 of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in Los Angeles will move forward with a formal complaint on unfair labor practice charges filed by SAG-AFTRA against Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS), owner of two popular Los Angeles Spanish-language music stations, LA RAZA (KLAX/KXOL 97.9 FM) and MEGA (96.3 FM).
Inside Radio: SBS Taken To Task At Forum Hosted By SAG-AFTRA
August 31, 2017
SAG-AFTRA took its grievances against Spanish Broadcasting System to the streets on Tuesday, hosting a community forum at the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor that included local elected officials, members of the Los Angeles labor community, SAG-AFTRA executives and members, and DJs from SBS.
Broadway World: SAG-AFTRA, Elected Officials & Civil Rights Leaders Condemn Spanish Broadcasting System
August 30, 2017
SAG-AFTRA was joined today by Los Angeles City Councilmember David Ryu (6th district), Organizing Director of Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) Antonio Bernabe and other community leaders at the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor for an event that highlighted a myriad of labor law violations committed by Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. (SBS).
La Opinion: Ex-employees of La Raza 97.9 FM and MEGA 96.3 FM accuse their employer of labor violations
August 29, 2017
Eight former employees of radio stations La Raza 97.9 FM and La MEGA 96.3 FM publicly accused their employer, the Spanish Broadcasting System Inc. (SBS), of firing them after unionizing.
Los Angeles Daily News: Ex-employees accuse LA radio stations of bullying, firing them for joining union
August 29, 2017
Two men who worked for one of the nation’s largest Spanish-language radio networks said Tuesday they were forced to work double shifts and denied meal breaks by the broadcaster.
Radio Ink: Employees Allege Labor Violations at SBS
August 29, 2017
At a SAG-AFTRA press conference Tuesday several current and former employees at La Raza 97.9 and MEGA 96.3 in L.A. spoke out about unfair treatment at the Spanish-language broadcast company.
Inside Radio: Union Goes After SBS With Allegations Of Unlawful Firings
August 29, 2017
Spanish Broadcasting System is subject to labor charges filed by SAG-AFTRA over multiple allegations of unlawful firings and unfair wages.
Media Confidential: L-A Radio: SAG-AFTRA Battles SBS Radio Stations
August 28, 2017
The union that represents actors and broadcasters is taking on one of the nation’s largest Spanish-language radio networks over allegations of unlawful firing and paying unfair wages.
Los Angeles Daily News: High-powered voices join dispute at 2 LA radio stations over ‘cheap and sometimes free labor’
August 27, 2017
The union that represents actors and broadcasters is taking on one of the nation’s largest Spanish-language radio networks over allegations of unlawful firing and paying unfair wages.
LA Weekly: A Bitter Dispute at Two of L.A.'s Most Popular FM Stations
May 1, 2017
Last year, La Raza (KLAX/KXOL 97.9 FM) and MEGA (96.3 FM) became the first Spanish-language stations in the country to unionize. Harboring a host of grievances against management, staff members who produce the on-air programming voted overwhelmingly to join the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.
InsideRadio: SAG-AFTRA ACCUSES SBS OF LABOR LAW VIOLATIONS
March 27, 2017
Accusing it of numerous violations of labor laws, SAG-AFTRA has urged Spanish Broadcasting System to sit down at the bargaining table and negotiate a fair contract for on-air employees at its two Los Angeles stations. Employees at regional Mexican “La Raza” KLAX-FM (97.9) and Spanish CHR “Mega 96.3 KXOL-FM voted overwhelmingly to be represented by the union last August but the two sides have since been unable to reach an agreement.
AllAccess: SAG-AFTRA Accuses Spanish Broadcasting System/Los Angeles Of Labor Violations
March 27, 2017
SAG-AFTRA has taken its contract dispute with SPANISH BROADCASTING SYSTEM to the public, alleging that SBS has violated state and federal labor law by, among other accusations, paying less than minimum wage.
RadioInk: SAG-AFTRA GOES AFTER SBS IN L.A.
March 27, 2017
Late on Friday, SAG-AFTRA sent out a press release demanding Spanish Broadcasting System “engage in good faith bargaining with its on-air employees who face unfair treatment by the company.” SAG-AFTRA says the problems are taking place at L.A. radio stations – La Raza (KLAX/KXOL – 97.9 FM) and La Mega (96.3 FM).
Deadline: SAG-AFTRA Blasts Local Spanish-Language Radio Stations for Not Paying Minimum Wage
March 25, 2017
Accusing local Spanish-language radio stations La Raza and La Mega of multiple violations of state and federal labor law – including paying some on-air talent less than minimum wage – SAG-AFTRA today urged the stations to come to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair contract.