iHeartMedia and SAG-AFTRA have come to a tentative agreement for the employees at the all-news station about to change hands from Entercom to iHeart, once the Entercom/CBS merger closes. And SAG-AFTRA tells Radio Ink all WBZ-AM employees will not have to interview for the jobs the currently hold. They will continued to be employed by iHeart. “As a result of our tentative agreement with iHeart, which is still pending approval by our members, all SAG-AFTRA WBZ-AM members will keep their jobs and they do not have to apply or be interviewed for their positions.”
Employees were blindsided earlier this week when they received a letter from an iHeart corporate attorney indicating they would have to re-interview for their jobs, and the union contract was not transferring in the deal. Here are statements from both sides.
An iHeartMedia spokesperson told Radio Ink, “We are very pleased to have reached this agreement with SAG-AFTRA, and we’re looking forward to adding this iconic Boston station, and the talented, dedicated, and respected WBZ team, to the iHeartMedia family.”
From SAG-AFTRA: “SAG-AFTRA is pleased to have reached a tentative agreement with iHeart for an interim agreement covering WBZ-AM. SAG-AFTRA members and iHeart management representatives worked hard for this resolution, and we look forward to a good partnership for this New England institution. The tentative agreement will be presented to the full bargaining unit for a ratification vote.”
There was a report out of Boston that said all WBZ-AM employees would be able to keep their jobs when iHeart took over. We have been unable to confirm that report from either side.
And another “Bright Candle in the Wind” disappears into the cold waters off Boston Harbor…
Too bad the listeners had no say…Maybe someone up in Bean Town will hire the WBZ old-timers
to put together a “WBZ-Plus” on a live audio feed! (Sirius, are you listening? or Siri, are you there?)
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