94.9 KUOW Ratifies first SAG-AFTRA union contract

SAG-AFTRA has announced a new bargaining unit at NPR news/talk 94.9 KUOW with it’s first union contract covering 43 reporters, producers, announcers, hosts, web editors, production engineers, community engagement employees and board operators.  94% of KUOW employees voted in favor of the new contract & bargaining with management began a year ago.  The new contract will give the lowest paid employees a significant boost in earnings & benefits.  Other highlights of the contract include on-call pay, free public transportation for all union members, time-and-a-half for holidays worked plus an extra holiday credit, guaranteed breaks between shifts, security in the field, and the formation of a Labor/Management Committee to work through issues between bargaining years.  This will be the 2nd public station in the Puget Sound covered by a SAG-AFTRA agreement:  employees at 88.5 KNKX are covered by a collective agreement at that station.