AFTRA-LA on Pacific boycott

[Doug Henwood]

[The Savepacifica activists are dismissing this as shilling for the 
forces of evil, but the workers' position is something to take 
seriously when you're contemplating a boycott. Complicating that rule 
of thumb is the fact that the workers aren't the only interest at 
stake.]

The Los Angeles Local of the American Federation of Television and 
Radio Artists (AFTRA-LA), AFLCIO, represents the on-air and 
technical, professional, and office and clerical employees at 
Pacifica station KPFK in Los Angeles.  We are currently engaged in 
negotiations for a contract for the wages, benefits, and other terms 
and conditions of employment for this unit.

The bargaining unit at KPFK, by consensus, has asked AFTRA-LA to make 
the following statement.

This statement should not be read to infer any position on the 
serious and important substantive issues regarding the controversy 
over the policies and actions of the Pacifica National Board nor 
related disputes.

 The station's and Pacifica's fundraising constitute the revenues 
which are the basis of wages and benefits for the station's workers. 
Workers at KPFK are the ones directly impacted by any cutoff or 
reduction in fundraising.  Similarly, when a picket line is set up at 
KPFK, it is the workers at KPFK who will have to decide whether to 
cross a picket line if they are scheduled to work or if already at 
work will be working behind the picket line.  Despite the direct 
impact of these decisions on KPFK workers, the KPFK bargaining unit, 
and its union, AFTRA, were never involved in, nor even consulted, 
prior to launching the campaign to withhold contributions to Pacifica 
and KPFK nor the decision to picket the station.

Consequently, AFTRA-LA and its members at KPFK do not support the 
current campaign to interfere with the fundraising efforts of 
Pacifica and to encourage people to withhold their contributions nor 
the planned picketing of KPFK.

 An AFTRA National representative in New York is currently handling 
a grievance of Amy Goodman against Pacifica for harassment, 
discriminatory treatment, and abusive conduct.

AFTRA -LA and its members at KPFK support the actions of AFTRA in 
pursuing the grievance of Amy Goodman.

For more information, contact Paul Worthman, Director of Broadcast 
for AFTRA-LA, or Lawrence Mayberry, AFTRA-LA Representative at 
323-634-8119 or 8129, Suite 900, 5757Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, 
90036; pworthma at aftra.com; lmayberr at aftra.com.
3-22-01
Pbw/dl

 

	                OPEIU Local 537