KNBR And SAG-AFTRA Union Issues; 'We're Frustrated'

KNBR staff recently voted to organize a union at the all-sports station. Negotiations haven't been all that fluid but they continue nonetheless, albeit in no such of a frenetic pace. That's not surprising.

One of the many people behind the scenes that has been outspoken about the need of an AFTRA-SAG association has been Ted Ramey. Ramey hosts his own show on KNBR's little sister, 1050 AM.


Ramey used to do a lot of the fill-in updates on the "Gary and Larry Show"--since the union move was publicized, Ramey has been conspicuously absent from that show. More pointedly, Ramey has all but disappeared from KNBR's notable Monday-Friday programming. Coincidence? Perhaps, you be the judge.


A KNBR staffer, who asked for anonymity, said that the "union situation" has been met with a great deal of anxiety inside the building. Even those staffers who voted for representation are "concerned" and quite sullen about the ongoing negotiations for a contract. Those negotiations have progressed but not to a point, not nearly at all, to where a contract is anywhere near serious let alone completion.


"It's frustrating," said the staffer.


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Two Of Cumulus' Biggest SF Players, Gary Radnich and Ronn Owens Anti-Union; KNBR Recent Vote To Join SAG-AFTRA Dynamic; Thursday First Hit

Gary Radnich and Ronn Owens--both morning air talent for Cumulus stations, KNBR and KGO are notorious anti-union guys. Interesting coincidence given KNBR's recent vote to join the SAG-AFTRA Union.

We're not necessarily trumping up the idea of being pro or anti-union. That's for the membership to decide but given San Francisco's strong identity as a labor town it merits conversation.

It's just interesting that both Owens and Radnich, (and most other prominent air talent), have pooh-poohed the union --until they got to their status where benefits, health coverage and the like was a given and which they take for granted. The underlings at KNBR, fed up with Cumulus' work demand, its demeaning and destructive abuse toward its employees had enough, apparently. The hard part comes now but their heart is in the right place.

Owens has decried the union many times on the air; he's said repeatedly, paraphrasing, "Hey, I have to be in a union to work." Yeah, Ronn, it's a tough life.

Radnich hasn't been as vocal but once the KNBR-union story got out he made an off-hand remark like be careful what you wish for. Yeah, until they tell you they're cutting your pension and asking you to make more contributions to your health care.

Poor babies.

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KNBR And The Union; Respect For The Little People; Saturday Column

I don't want to delve into the inside dynamics as to why KNBR personnel chose to join the union. I'll leave that to the members themselves, but I have a few theories.


Most of the KNBR on-air staff make decent money, not by everyday standards but good enough. There were inside-the-house grumblings that made the rounds that the few people who voted no on joining the union were largely on-air talent. They're right.


Most of the pro-union block are the board ops, producers, and editors; the people who do a lot of the grunt work. You hear those people on the air who double as both producers and contributors --they do a lot of the behind-scenes material that is a bulk of KNBR's on-air presence when there's no Giants, 49ers and Warriors games. Much as KNBR's sports clients are the most valuable assets of the station, it's the hard work of the lesser-known broadcasters, (like a Ted Ramey, for instance), that keep the station running, (producer, Brian Smith too), and the background players that make sure the spots play, the guests coordinate --all things that need to get done. Things like this are taken for granted but in essence, without them, the station wouldn't be able to run. It's that simple.


For all my criticisms about KNBR, I congratulate the hard-working, (for the most part), and dedicated staff who don't get a lot of recognition for working their butts off for very little compensation and acknowledgement from staff; they may find that organizing a union brings with it future angst but much-needed benefits and improvements-- it's a step in the right direction.


Most of all, it shows KNBR's less visible but just as important workers have a backbone and won't continue to act like a bunch of lemmings getting minimal pay while their cross-building counterparts are making much more money and receiving better and more benefits.


Yeah, down the road negotiating an actual contract will be difficult and tough, especially with a company that is as doggedly anti-union as Cumulus is, but it's a good start. More importantly, it's KNBR staffers showing some self-respect. A cheers and huzzah for the real "leader."


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Stop The Presses: KNBR Votes In The Union; SAG-AFTRA Affiliation

This is sort of remarkable--SAG-AFTRA has unionized KNBR, both 680 AM and its sister station, 1050 AM.

Here's the story from Variety.

KNBR, and its corporate broadcast owner, Cumulus, has been raking in millions, much of it driven by its affiliation with the SF Giants, who just won their third World Series in five years.

KNBR also carries the 49ers and Golden State Warriors,--but it's the Giants that make the most direct revenue for the all-sports station, quite a bit of it. Have you noticed those endless stream of commercials KNBR airs during some programs? I counted nearly 37 minutes in an hour on one of the more popular morning and PM-drive shows.

“Just like the many teams that we cover, we bring commitment and passion to KNBR every day,” said broadcaster Ted Ramey. “We want to be treated as respected members of our team.”

Now, how will Cumulus react? Remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: even Cumulus big suits know that San Francisco is a heavy-duty union city. Sure, the unions don't have the major juice they once enjoyed, even in the city, (see, restaurants), but this move by KNBR personnel, I would doubt Cumulus would try to mess with its cash-cow San Francisco cluster. Then again, it's Cumulus, headquarters, Atlanta, so don't assume anything.

This move by KNBR staff is simple: "Hey, we know you're making a shitload of money and we want a piece of the pie." Fairly reasonable. We'll wait for Atlanta's response --could be interesting.

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Veteran Morning EP Calls It Quits at KRON; Gives Two-Week Notice; Union Problems at 1001 Van Ness

Union Problems at KRON...Among other items--

Yet another Executive Producer is calling it quits: veteran morning news staffer, Marci Kusanovich, according to my insider has given 2-week notice to management...

And This:

Major SAG-AFTRA "issues."

"Same old shit", says long-time newsroom worker.

Another: "just when you think things are getting tranquil, all of a sudden the 'shit hits the fan."

It could be worse: KTVU took the spotlight away from the 1001 Van Ness posse.

*Developing...

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