The union for writers and producers at New York City’s flagship PBS member station is demanding that WNET Thirteen end “union-busting proposals” and make a raise after months of delays, according to a letter obtained by The Post.
The Writers Guild of America East told the left-leaning station’s management on Monday that it must take “urgent action” to support a new collective agreement for its members, according to Monday’s letter.
The union and the station have been negotiating since April on a new contract, which it hopes will include provisions for “living wages and well-earned time off.”
The contract was in effect from July 2019 to last June. Since then, it has been extended several times. The most recent extension expires on October 9.
“Unfortunately, Thirteen management has obstructed negotiations by insisting on extreme proposals that threaten their jobs and the union,” according to the letter, which was addressed to James Attwood, chairman of Channel 13’s board of trustees, and Dr. Antoinette DeLuca, who chairs the channel’s community advisory board.
The guild went on to accuse management of “research[ing] destroy the unions of its staff by seeking the power to assign their work to non-union employees without meaningful limits.”
The letter asks management to “withdraw their union-busting proposals, agree to wage increases that reflect the rising cost of living, and include paid holidays for day workers.”
The post has requested comment from WNET Thirteen.
Unlike commercial television, Channel 13, which has served the New York metropolitan area since 1962, is a PBS member station supported by a combination of federal, state and local funding, as well as viewer contributions and grants. philanthropy and donations.
The Writers Guild of America East and Writers of America West are also negotiating with three public television stations for a new contract for 150 freelance writers.
The unions are in talks with WNET Thirteen, GBH in Boston and Los Angeles-based Public Media Group, which operates two stations in the city.
Earlier this year, WNET Group, which oversees Thirteen as well as WLIW on Long Island and NJ PBS in New Jersey, announced layoffs at its New Jersey unit.
The guild “stands by our members as they take the necessary actions to protect their union and their livelihoods,” according to the letter.
“We ask that you use your power and influence to support the workers at WNET Thirteen and help them secure a fair contract now,” the union wrote in its letter.
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