SBS on-air talent Felix Castillo said he feels completely vindicated. He says the fight with SBS was worth “every second and every drop of sweat.” Back in March, eight employees of SBS L.A. stations KLAX-FM and KXOL-FM were terminated. SAG-AFTRA says the firings were in retaliation for exercising their right to unionize. On Tuesday, SAG-AFTRA said a deal was reached worth almost half a million dollars.
Under the agreement:
– All employees receive full back pay, interest, and expenses through January 14, 2018.
– SBS offered the choice of reinstatement or significant front pay to all eight employees, and most chose to return to work to their former positions at SBS. A few elected to move on and receive front pay.
– The agreement provides that SBS must engage in good faith bargaining with the goal of obtaining a collective bargaining agreement, and requires a rigorous bargaining schedule. SBS has agreed that by mid-January it will provide to SAG-AFTRA an economic proposal, including specific dollar figures for wages and fees to be paid to bargaining unit members.
SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris said, “This is a significant victory for these union members and an incredible symbol of hope for workers fighting for economic justice across our country. This win sends a message—loud and clear—that employers will not be able to get away with terminating employees who exercise their right to unionize. We still have a hard fight ahead to achieve a fair union contract for the reinstated SBS employees and their co-workers, but we are optimistic that we will prevail. SAG-AFTRA will not rest until there is justice at SBS.”
SBS Corporate did not return our request for comment late last night.
