After months of discussing and planning, reporters, editors, hosts, DJs and others at Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Corporation voted Thursday to unionize with SAG-AFTRA.
Employees at the home of WESA and WYEP voted 26 to 1 for unionization after announcing their plans to organize in late August. Workers say the union is an opportunity to strengthen as an organization and to ensure they remain a resource for the Pittsburgh area.
“We could have called this race back in August when it was clear the union had overwhelming support from staff,” says WESA reporter and editor Chris Potter in a statement. “But now that the mail-in ballots have been counted, I’m happy everyone can see our devotion to this station and to each other. It all came down to turnout, and it’s our turn now to negotiate our first contract.”
WESA and WYEP union members are seeking pay increases, career development, and revisions to benefits such as parental leave and vacation time.
SAG-AFTRA also represents KDKA-TV, KDKA-AM, WTAE-TV, WPXI-TV, and other NPR stations nationwide.
“We are thrilled to welcome PCBC workers into SAG-AFTRA. Investing in good, sustainable local journalism is an investment in the community, so this is a win not only for members but for Pittsburgh itself,” says SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.