Creative and production staff members at local television news station ABC6 won their union election Monday night 22-3, with two abstentions.
The ABC6 unit is now part of the Communications’ Workers of America’s broadcast arm, called NABET. It represents producers, photographers, meteorologists, reporters, technical staff, and web staff. Sales workers, anchors, sportscasters and engineers are not included.
Workers announced their organizing efforts last month in response to concerns about understaffing, low and unequal wages, and outdated equipment.
Audrey Hammond is on the organizing committee. She made just over $46,105 last year for her job as an editor on the 2 a.m. to 11 a.m. shift. She was inspired to organize in part because she said she could barely afford rent on that salary. She said following the vote, she is feeling immense relief.
“Absolutely elated. I knew we had strength but to see it really on paper is nothing short of incredible. I’m blown away,” said Hammond.
Hammond says relationships between managers and employees have remained strong throughout the campaign.
“Our News Director still brings us donuts in the morning, even through this whole process,” she said. “We’re not enemies, we’re all trying to make a better newscast.”
ABC6 management have not responded to a request for comment.
The workers and their union representatives will soon begin working on their first contract, a process which, according to data from the National Labor Relations Board, usually takes a little over a year.
