KCRW Content Staff Unanimously Ratifies First Agreement

After two years of organizing and countless hours at the negotiating table, the content staff at KCRW unanimously ratified its first collective bargaining agreement in early July.

The negotiations achieved myriad, systemic changes for staff at the station, one of the two major NPR affiliates in Los Angeles, including pay equity amongst staffers, notice and process for layoffs, and protections against overtime and on-call abuses. The contract also covers 21 of KCRW’s DJs, one of the first CBAs to do so in the country.

The bargaining committee released this statement on behalf of more than 90 unionized staffers:

“This contract is the product of a lot of hard work. We obtained benefits and protections that, without unionizing, would have been improbable, if not impossible. We have one of the most robust holiday schedules in the nation, including the first contract to include Juneteenth, a health care contribution from our employer that saves members hundreds of dollars, and clear steps for reporters and producers to advance in their careers and earn a livable wage in Los Angeles. These are just a fraction of what we have achieved. The list is long!

“Above all, this contract represents the power of unions, in both good times and bad. There is nothing that can replace the effectiveness of coming together for a common goal. We have negotiated a contract that rectifies generations of abuse and poor management at KCRW without breaking the bank.

“We look forward to continuing our work as a cutting-edge public media organization, producing award-winning music and news broadcasts, innovative podcasts and engaging social and web content.”