LOS ANGELES ̶ SAG-AFTRA’s Philadelphia Local has called for federal mediation at news radio station KYW-AM as part of its negotiations with Entercom, the station’s new owner.
“We’ve bargained for years with CBS Radio and never had to take this step, but now we’re dealing with a new company who won’t compromise, so we’re reaching out for help,” said Sam Clover, president of SAG-AFTRA’s Philadelphia Local and an Entercom employee at CBS Traffic.
Said Philadelphia Local Executive Director Stephen Leshinski, “They are low-balling on wages and retirement, which is always part of bargaining but they’re challenging our jurisdiction and, most offensively, looking to slash severance benefits 50-90 percent.”
Added Clover, “KYW reporters, editors and anchors are some of the most dedicated news journalists in the country and deserve better from Entercom.”
The contract, which expired Oct. 1, 2018, covers approximately 50 staff people. Negotiating last took place in December and no new dates are scheduled. SAG-AFTRA’s Philadelphia Local represents 3,000 actors, performers and broadcasters in the Delaware Valley, including CBS3, NBC10 and WIP-FM.
About SAG-AFTRA
SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. A proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA has national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide representing members working together to secure the strongest protections for entertainment and media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at SAGAFTRA.org.