Feb 25, 2011
A CWA and community campaign has raised more than $60,000 in pledges to urge the Pacifica radio network to restore union jobs and popular programming at KPFA in Berkeley, Calif. So far, Pacifica has refused the donations.
In a big victory for a campaign fighting to restore CWA jobs, local control of programming and a popular morning show at a Pacifica radio network station in Berkeley, Calif., management has rehired one of the workers it let go last November.
Brian Edwards-Tiekert will receive back pay and other benefits, although he will be employed beginning Monday as a news reporter rather than as co-host of KPFA's Morning Show.
"After three months of stonewalling, they have given our union a 'make whole' offer for my grievance," CWA Local 9415 member Edwards-Tiekert said in a letter to supporters. "Pacifica has basically conceded it can't win the pending arbitration over my dismissal. This is a victory for our union in enforcing its contract."
Since Pacifica laid off Edwards-Tiekert and other Morning Show staff, an off-air community campaign, Save KPFA, has generated more than $60,000 in pledges to urge Pacifica to do right by its employees and listeners.
Pacifica claimed budget problems at the listener-supported station forced the layoffs, even though the show brought in three times in pledges what it cost to produce. In media reports, labor leaders and other observers say they believe Pacifica has used its budget as an excuse to purge whistleblowers, reward political supporters and undermine the union.
Until the settlement this week, Pacifica management had insisted that its layoffs would be upheld by an arbitrator. Co-host Aimee Allison's arbitration hearing is still going forward.
Now supporters are redoubling their efforts. "Brian's return to the station is an important victory, but we are not going to rest until Aimee Allison, David Bacon and all the other Morning Show staff, paid and unpaid, are back as well," KPFA board member Pamela Drake said. "Pacifica was not following the union contract, which protects workers from being singled out on the basis of their political positions."
Learn more and support the campaign by going to www.saveKPFA.org and www.kpfaworker.org.
