Workers at XM Radio Show "Oprah & Friends" Enter Into Their First Collective Bargaining Agreement

[Omaha Steve]

http://unionreview.com/workers-xm-radio-show-oprah-friends-enter-their-first-collective-bargaining-agreement

Workers at XM Radio Show "Oprah & Friends" Enter Into Their First Collective Bargaining Agreement

Submitted by Richard on Wed, 06/27/2007 - 10:09pm.

There are so many workers in the entertainment business that are not in unions and should be. Some that I have met are still very naïve and choose to pay-to-play, others are just pushing their talents anywhere and anyway that they can.

With the advent of XM radio taking off, one used to wonder about all the work that went into the programming - and if the workers at these satellite stations are treated fairly.

Today I learned that there is one XM radio show, so far, that is doing the right thing. Members of AFTRA announced that they have entered in their first collective bargaining agreement with ‘Oprah & Friends,' a show that is put out by the company Oprah Winfrey owns.

"This ground-breaking agreement is the first contract that provides union salaries, benefits, and working conditions for talent on a program only carried by satellite radio," Eileen Willenborg, AFTRA Chicago Local Executive Director said in a statement posted on the AFTRA site. "I commend the producers at 'Oprah & Friends' for working together with AFTRA members to create a sensible and responsible agreement," she adds.

AFTRA National Executive Director Kim Roberts Hedgpeth said, "The work of AFTRA members in Chicago to bring union standards to employment opportunities in satellite radio can serve as a model for all broadcasters working in this new service." And we agree! It would be fantastic if this were the first of many need collective bargaining agreements in this field.

The new agreement addresses compensation for program hosts and guests, including coverage for those who qualify for benefits from the AFTRA Health and Retirement Funds. Additional provisions in the first contract include union security, grievance and arbitration, dues check-off, non-discrimination, late penalties, and the right to participate in pre-tax savings plans.

The agreement inked today is retroactive from January 1, 2007 and expires August 31, 2009.

[ikojo]

1. Are the people on Air America unionized? nt

[Omaha Steve]

2. YES they are!!!!

http://www.aftra.com/member/documents/Station_List_7_13_06.pdf


Local/Station Term Of Contract Ownership Type Of Unit

NATIONAL
Air America
Radio
4/01/05 – 3/31/08 Radio Free America,
Inc., a Delaware
Corp.
Newspersons;
Writers

Democracy Now! 10/1/03 – 9/30/06 Democracy Now! On-Air
Producers

Workers
Independent
News
1/21/06 – 1/20/07 Diversified Media
Enterprises
Madison, WI
Producers