Without a Doubt
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OPEN CHANNELS The Newsletter of IBEW Local 45 www.ibew45.org Summer 2014 New Contract at Capitol Studios Spotlight on Stewards Retiree Ron Price 4.1% RAISE IN THE FIRST YEAR FOUR LOCAL 45 MEMBERS WHO GET THE JOB DONE KCAL/KCBS CAMERAMAN SIGNS OFF AFTER 43 YEARS PAGE 03 PAGE 04-05 PAGE 07 Without a Doubt KSEE Chooses Overwhelmingly to Remain Union mployees at KSEE, an NBC to try to talk the members into voting television affiliate in Fresno, against the union, voting against their Emade their voices heard loud own interests,” said Hugh McGuigan, and clear this summer: They want Northern California Business Repre- to remain members of a union, and sentative for Local 45. “The vote says, continue to receive all of the benefits to me, the members were too smart to that representation provides. fall for the lies and deception.” KSEE parent company Nexstar McGuigan said that the vote to re- Broadcasting Group filed a petition main union came down to a simple to decertify the station’s union repre- comparison, and union benefits far The employees at KSEE in Fresno voted overwhelming to remain unionized, and next up is a return to the negotiation table. Pictured here includes KSEE employees, Local 45 Northern California Rep Hugh McGuigan sentation with the National Labor Re- outweigh what was in the Nexstar (front), and Local 45 Business Manager Elaine Ocasio (in red). lations Board in June. In July, employ- company handbook. The long path to the decertifica- star had consolidated KGPE, a non- ees voted overwhelming to remain “The members, not only were they tion vote began more than a year union shop, with KSEE at the latter’s union and retain representation by too smart to fall for the lies and de- and a half ago. At the end of 2012, facilities. The merging resulted in IBEW Local 45. The final tally was ception of the employer, they were Nexstar Broadcasting Group pur- the loss of some KGPE jobs. 35-9 in favor of remaining unionized. astute enough to make the compari- chased KGPE-TV, a CBS affiliate in Shortly after Nexstar’s acquisi- “It says that the members didn’t sons of their labor agreement against Fresno. The company followed that tion, the contract between the em- buy the employer’s lies and distor- the company handbook policy,” Mc- up with the acquisition of KSEE in ployees and KSEE management ex- tions and half truths with the intent Guigan said. February of 2013. By last fall, Nex- (CONTINUED ON PAGE 3) For the Record On the Job: Union Members at Capitol Records here’s a scene in the movie Just off the Hollywood Freeway “Almost Famous” where the in Los Angeles, the iconic Capitol Tcharacter Penny Lane says Records Building on Vine Street that “if you ever get lonely, just go has hosted a who’s who of popular to the record store and visit your music, from Sinatra and members friends.” of the Beatles to Garth Brooks Working at Capitol Studios is and Katy Perry. In the middle of kind of like that. (CONTINUED ON PAGE 8) Hollywood, CA 90028 CA Hollywood, 6255 Sunset Blvd., Ste. 721 Ste. Blvd., Sunset 6255 Recording engineer Steve Genewick mans the board of legendary Studio A at Capitol Studios. IBEW Local 45 Local IBEW Message from IBEW Local 45’s Business Manager By Elaine Ocasio Greetings Local 45 Members! I hope your sum- ing it careful consideration, they concluded mer has gone well. that being part of a union is the way to go. I would like to extend a great big “Thank You!” Local 45 has been there for contract negotia- to Nexstar Broadcasting, the company that owns tions and when members needed assistance KSEE in Fresno. You see, KSEE management with any issues. The employees at KSEE saw played a few tricky games that some in manage- that, and as we once again head back to the ment like to do. They delayed negotiations on a bargaining table, everyone on our side is en- new contract for more than a year, then filed a ergized. This wouldn’t have happened with- petition with the National Labor Relations Board out Nexstar’s management showing, again, for a decertification vote. Well, as you can read why representation is so valuable. in the story on the front of this Summer issue Speaking of new contracts and getting ener- of Open Channels, our members at KSEE voted gized, I’m very happy with how things turned overwhelmingly to continue to be represented out in negotiations between Local 45 mem- by Local 45. bers, recording and building engineers at So, why the “thank you” to management, Capitol Records, and management there. We though they’ve made things difficult for us this secured our members a 4.1% raise in the first past year? What management did is they lit a fire year of their new agreement, which you can under Local 45 members at KSEE. The workers also read about in this issue. I’d like to thank at the station started with some simple compari- Steward Evren Göknar, Rep Vic Marrero, In- sons, looking at the company’s policies for non- ternational Rep Tim Dixon and attorney Joe union employees and measuring that against Kaplon for their assistance in getting the deal Staff Box our collective bargaining agreement. After giv- done. Coming up, I want to make sure that mem- IBEW Local 45 bers are aware that we’re lining up a Stew- 6255 Sunset Blvd # 721 ards training in Southern California on Octo- Hollywood, CA 90028 ber 25th. Details to come. (323) 851-5515 In closing, I want to express my sincer- Business Manager/Financial Secretary est sympathy to the family of Mike Mur- STEWARDSTEWARD Elaine Ocasio ray. Brother Murray passed away in July at Executive Assistant the age of 66. A loving husband, father and Lupe Perez C grandfather, Mike worked at CBS Television Dues Administrator TRAININGTRAINING Marceil Wright City, was a union Steward and member of O Bookkeeper Local 45’s Executive Board. His work for the Anthony Wainaina union will be missed, but more importantly, M Membership Department the warmth of Mike’s spirit and his bear hugs Tara Garner I will be missed even more. Business Representatives N In solidarity, Calling all Southern California Southern California Stewards! There will be a stew- Victor Marrero G ards training on: Elaine Ocasio Northern California Business Manager/Financial Secretary Hugh McGuigan October 25th, 2014 This newsletter produced by S Location: TBD Senders Communications Group Publisher - Cherri Senders O Time: TBD Editor - Robert Fulton O Save the date! More details to Writer - Michael Messina come in the future. Find Us On Facebook! N Art Director - Michael Teitelbaum www.facebook.com/IBEW45 2 OPEN CHANNELS Summer 2014 www.ibew45.org Local 45 Negotiates New Contract with Capitol Studios A 4.1 Percent Raise is Music to Their Ears he recording and building engineers at Capitol Studios had something to celebrate Tthis summer: A new contract. At the end of July, the 16 recording engineers and three building engineers that Local 45 repre- sents voted unanimously on new contracts. The new agreements took effect retroactively to July 1. “I’m pleased, absolutely,” said Mastering Engi- neer and Shop Steward Evren Göknar. “In the last couple of years, it’s been a little touch and go.” The major highlight of this contract is a 4.1 per- cent raise in the first year. Pay increases for the re- mainder for the three-year agreement will match whatever the company has. “I’m very happy,” said Local 45 Business Man- ager Elaine Ocasio. “We got 4.1 in the first year, and that’s the most that we’ve gotten so far in a contract since I’ve been business manager.” Management had proposed wage reopeners at previous negotiations, which may have meant more money but less job security. This time Shop Steward Evren Göknar, Local 45 Business Rep. Victor Marrero and Local 45 Business Manager Elaine Ocasio go over the final details of a around, union leadership wasn’t going to hear it. new contract between the union and Capitol Records in advance of a vote. The contract, which includes a 4.1 percent raise, passed unanimously. “I think they realized they had to deal with us, that we weren’t going to roll over,” Ocasio said. the music production process, while the building “It cost us money to bring an attorney to negotia- In 2012, Universal Music Group bought Capitol, engineers maintain the iconic office building on tions. In the past, that was never done. To me, this meaning a different parent company was also in- Vine Street in Hollywood. is what we’re here for. With the result, it was abso- volved. Ocasio put together a strong team to negotiate lutely the right thing to do. That’s what people pay Ocasio said the two sides met three or four a favorable deal. In addition to the Business Man- dues for, so we can get them the resources.” times over a couple of months. The contract ex- ager and Göknar, Business Rep. Victor Marrero, Göknar gave a lot of credit to Ocasio for getting pired on June 30. International Rep. Tim Dixon and attorney Joe the deal done. “From day one they were determined to get this Kaplon also participated. “Elaine is really responsive as far as issues and done quickly,” Ocasio said. Having an attorney on hand really paid off. concerns,” Göknar said. “I think that’s important.” Capitol’s recording engineers are involved in “(Joe Kaplon) did an excellent job,” Ocasio said.