SAG-AFTRA says the National Labor Relations Board in Los Angeles has officially issued a complaint against Spanish Broadcasting Systems. SAG-AFTRA says the complaint was issued after the NLRB found merit to a myriad of egregious unfair labor practice charges filed by the union. SBS owns LA RAZA (KLAX-FM) and MEGA (KXOL-FM) in L.A.
Here are the violations SAG-AFTRA is alleging: meaningless surface bargaining; a myriad of bad faith bargaining tactics; failing to furnish information relevant to bargaining; interrogating employees and threatening them with reprisals if they support unionization; interfering, restraining, and coercing employees in the exercise of their legal rights; and unlawfully terminating eight employees in retaliation for their union activities and without providing SAG-AFTRA with notice and an opportunity to bargain.
SAG-AFTRA says as part of the remedy, the NLRB is seeking an order requiring that the terminated employees be reinstated with back pay, plus interest, and any other consequential damages such as medical expenses. In addition, the NLRB is also asking SBS reimburse the union its bargaining costs and expenses. A trial date has been set for December 11.
“We are pleased by the National Labor Relations Board’s decision,” said SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carters. “Today, the eight unlawfully terminated SBS employees have been vindicated. Employers who refuse to treat their staff with dignity and pay them lawfully mandated wages should be held accountable for their actions and SBS is no exception.”
SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director David White said, “Today’s decision is a victory for the SBS employees who exercised their federally protected right to unionize. For more than a year, SBS has been shirking its duty to its employees. They have refused to bargain in good faith and have been stifling negotiations. We are optimistic about December’s trial and look forward to negotiating a contract our Spanish-language on-and-off air talent deserve.”
We’ve reached out to SBS’ General Counsel for comment.
