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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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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The 2 Senior Reporters at KTVU That Management Wanted Out But Are Stuck; News that You'll Get Only NOT on KTVU

John Fowler/KTVU photo

Tom Vacar

 Tom Vacar is a seasoned KTVU Bay Area News Reporter, Consumer Editor and aviation expert. He's been in the market for over three decades and has won a host of industry awards, including five Emmys.

Vacar is a lawyer too. He doesn't practice but he has a law degree. At various times in the past, management has wanted to part ways with Vacar but pulled back. Remember, he's a lawyer and he has mucho tenure at Channel 2. Not good to mess with a lawyer--they haven't...yet.


*Health and Science Editor, John Fowler, has been a KTVU stalwart since 1975. A station source recently told me the station has a problem: "Fowler doesn't ever want to retire." That's contrary to what KTVU wants/wanted but are you really going to show the door to a 38-year vet? Hell no and even if you tried, the union would be all over your ass. As they should.

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