OP EN Channels The Newsletter of IBEW Local 45 www.ibew45.org Fall 2013

Spotlight on Stewards Awards and Recognition Notes From Around the Union Four Local 45 Members who get the job done Members highlighted for their recent accomplishments Victories and more from your area reps Page 03 Page 05 Page 06 Big Victory IBEW Local 45 elected to represent photographers and reporters at KTXL-TV in Sacramento

hings are starting to look up Photographers and reporters had for some of the employees at been considering organizing for the KTXL Fox 40 in Sacramento. past few years, but only recently fo- In July, IBEW Local 45 was cused their efforts in coming together. Telected to represent photographers Long took the lead, talking to cowork- and reporters at the television sta- ers about the steps to take and to rally tion, a Fox affiliate owned by Tribune support. In May, Long reached out to From Left: Fox 40 photographer Tom Long, IBEW Local 45 Business Manager Elaine Ocasio and Northern Broadcasting. Hugh McGuigan, who represents Lo- rep Hugh McGuigan worked to organize at KTXL. “Not all unions are created equal,” cal 45’s Northern California members. before now,” McGuigan said. “I think time treatment. They reached their said photographer Tom Long, who McGuigan started the process of put- as with most people, they have to be threshold and wanted to do some- has been with KTXL for 14 years and ting together an organizing campaign mistreated and abused long enough thing about it, and they did.” played a pivotal role in joining Local while educating the potential mem- until they finally have enough of Approximately 35 new members 45. “I just felt that IBEW was the best bers of the benefits of joining a union. it. I think they finally had their fill. have joined. fit for what we were looking for and According to McGuigan, Local 45 was They’re underpaid in the market, According to Long, photographers trying to do. Overall it seemed a better elected in “strong fashion.” overworked, in some cases I think were asked to do the jobs of report- fit for us.” “They’ve never been a union there illegally worked as it relates to over- (Continued on page 7)

Local 45 Members Play Key Roles in Bringing You the News On the Job at KCBS/KCAL

efore a story hits the air of one fense in getting the news on the air,” of the many local news broad- said Doyle, speaking from his desk Bcasts by KCBS and KCAL in Los on a recent busy Friday afternoon. Angeles, there’s a good chance that IBEW Local 45 member and As- an assignment editor such as Terry signment Editor Doyle has worked Doyle had a hand in it early on. for the station for 25 years, first as “Basically, we have to cover the a production assistant and then on

news, and this is the first line of de- (Continued on page 8)

Hollywood, CA 90028 CA Hollywood,

6255 Sunset Blvd., Ste. 721 Ste. Blvd., Sunset 6255 IBEW Local 45 Local IBEW Rodney Foster has worked through major L.A. news events, from plane crashes and the Civil Unrest of 1992 to earthquakes and fires. Message from IBEW Local 45’s Business Manager By Elaine Ocasio Greetings Local 45 members! over 80 work sites, but with help from your Busi- It is hard to believe that it has been one year since ness Representatives, Hugh McGuigan and Victor I was elected to be your Business Manager. It has Marrero and our Shop Stewards, we work hard to been a very busy and exciting time for me. I have handle every issue in a timely fashion. enjoyed visiting your worksites and meeting you We are working on updating our website and fu- and listening to your concerns. ture issues of the Newsletter will be available online I am amazed at the important work our members as a measure to save money in printing and postage. do: communications and public safety support for We are working on ways to better communicate the City and County of Los Angeles, Avionics, medi- with you. We will have email notifications and log- cal electronics at our county hospitals, security at ins on our new website for you to see what is hap- county jails, technical support at our L.A. Commu- pening in your own specific areas. nity Colleges and public schools and of course our I invite you to participate and attend a member- members keep us connected at Charter Cable, do ship meeting the 3rd Wednesday of every month local TV news in LA and Northern California, and at 7:15 p.m. I am also having many shop meetings work for CBS Network Entertainment and CBS and where we can focus on your individual issues in the FOX Sports. work place. We have a lot to be proud of. I come to this job Thank you for your ongoing support. with a simple viewpoint that it is my duty to serve you, Local 45 members: service your contracts, let In solidarity, your voices be heard, and negotiate on your behalf for a better standard of living. I make every effort to Elaine Ocasio Find Us On Facebook! respond to issues quickly. We have 40 contracts and Business Manager/Financial Secretary www.facebook.com/IBEW45

LOCAL 45 NEW WEBSITE - Staff Box

NEW LOOK! NEW FEATURES! IBEW Local 45 6255 Sunset Blvd # 721 Local 45 is pleased to announce the launch Hollywood, CA 90028 of our newly redesigned website, complete (323) 851-5515 with a fresh new look and user-friendly navi- gation. The new site is designed to keep our Business Manager/Financial Secretary members updated with the latest union infor- preferences. Since we now have the capabil- Elaine Ocasio mation utilizing everyday communications ity to text and email you, we want to make Executive Assistant tools such as text messages and email. New sure that we have your email address and/or Lupe Perez features include: cell phone number and that you consent to Dues Administrator ●Member-only Login Section – Access con- having messages sent to you by text, email or Marceil Wright tracts, request for proposals and special an- both. You may also update your mailing ad- Bookkeeper nouncements. dress, make payments online or send emails to Gayle Jordan ●Member-Friendly Dues Payment Page – the various departments at Local 45. Messages Membership Department Paid Thru Date Display, Simple Navigation. sent by text and email will include information Tara Garner ●Email and Text Messaging to Members – about: Contract Negotiations, Voting, Dues Pay- Get important information instantly via text ment Reminders, FOX/CBS Utility Crew, Gener- Business Representatives and/or email – Be sure to sign-up to be in the al Membership Meetings, and Local 45 Special Southern California know! Events. Victor Marrero ● Photos and Videos – Member worksite We hope that you will enjoy browsing our Northern California profiles and Local 45 events. new site, finding more options and informa- Hugh McGuigan Whether you are new to our website or tion each time, and that it will be yet another a regular visitor, all members must go to tool for strengthening our communications This newsletter produced by Senders Group www.sendersgroup.com www.ibew45.org and set-up your account with our valued members.

2 Open Channels Fall 2013 www.ibew45.org Spotlight on Stewards Four local 45 members who get the job done

John Breedlove, Shop George Mutafyan, Shop Maria Martinez, Shop Rodney Cummings, Shop Steward at KCRA-TV, Steward at Olive View-UCLA Steward for the City Steward at KCBS/KCAL Sacramento Medical Center of L.A. in L.A.

John Breedlove has been a mem- George Mutafyan works as a medi- Without folks like Maria Martinez, Rodney works as an edit supervi- ber of IBEW Local 45 for 28 years. His cal electronics technician at Olive the City of Los Angeles might not be sor at KCBS/KCAL, overseeing the first job was in Bakersfield at Chan- View-UCLA Medical Center in Syl- able to run. Maria works in commu- day-to-day operation of the editors nel 17 (KPWR at the time). In 1981 he mar, north of the City of Los Angeles. nications and electronics for the City, at the station. That promo for Queen was hired at KFSN in Fresno and pro- Olive View is part of L.A. County’s handling the data network for the Latifah’s new talk show? Yep, that moted to chief photographer there health system. George joined Olive entire city government. This includes was Rodney. He also oversees 13 in 1984. John then went on to work View, and Local 45, in 2001. Prior to everything from the Mayor’s office full-time editors and 13 daily hires. at KOVR, Sacramento, and finally to that, George worked in the medical and City Council to the police depart- Rodney has been with the station KCRA in 1998. John has been sent on field as an electronics technician for ment and fire department. Maria has and a member of IBEW Local 45 for many special assignments, from a UCLA after immigrating to the U.S. been a member of IBEW Local 45 17 years, ever since joining KCAL, space shuttle launch to tornado cov- From the Soviet Union – Armenia since 1993, has worked for the City of and he became shop Steward two- erage in Oklahoma City to political specifically – in 1979. Now 69, George Los Angeles since 1996 and has held and-half years ago when long-time conventions. One recent highlight has more recently been made a Lo- the role of Steward for almost a de- and well-respected shop Steward was a trip to Washington, D.C., in late cal 45 Executive Board Member, and cade. Maria has done various jobs, Bob Arellano retired. Before retiring, 2012 for a one-on-one interview with is participating in negotiations with working on two-way radio equip- Bob asked Rodney to fill his very big President Barrack Obama. John’s the County. He says he’s listening and ment and monitoring equipment shoes. Rodney said he was honored work has been recognized with San learning in order to become more ac- failures before transferring to the and took the position without hesi- Francisco Bay Area News Awards tive in the near future. George added data group in 2001. Maria described tation. “I didn’t even have to think and two Emmys. John became a shop he’d like to express his gratitude to her work as low-key, but when things about it,” he said. Originally from Steward in 2012 and was on the lat- Business Manager Elaine Ocasio and go wrong, she’s the one who gets the Boston, Rodney eventually landed in est negotiating team for KCRA’s con- Public Sector Rep Victor Marrero for City back online. L.A. He wears multiple hats, and dur- tract. their leadership and openness. ing his career has won an Emmy and a Golden Mike for news editing.

Steward List Evren Goknar - CAPITOL Michael Murray - CBS TV CITY Octavio Saucedo - CITY OF LA Charles Paakkari - CAPITOL Donna Stock - CBS TV CITY Shawn Gabra - CITY OF LA Tanya Selena Cornish - CBS TV CITY Gary Chamberlin - CBS TV CITY Harold Gonzalez - COUNTY OF LA Luzell Davis - CBS Richard Sietsema - CBS RADIO David Hess - COUNTY OF LA James Fields - CBS Donna Houston - CBS TV CITY Richard Le Comte - COUNTY OF LA David Guzman - CBS TV CITY Nagi Akl - CHARTER Michael Montano - COUNTY OF LA Michael Steve Hoorn - CBS TV CITY Johnny Carreon - CHARTER Gevork Mutafyan - COUNTY OF LA Tracy Lawrence - CBS TV CITY Victor Centeno - CHARTER (Continued on page 4) Richard Mathias - CBS TV CITY Carlos Marshall - CHARTER

3 Steward List Union Dues (Continued from page 3) The total of both the BASE DUES and WORKING DUES are due monthly on or Joseph Nassar - COUNTY OF LA before the 15th day of the month. Pierluigi Pacciardi - COUNTY OF LA BASE DUES WORKING DUES Jason Cleanthes - CITY OF LA Maria Martinez - CITY OF LA 1.25% of your monthly gross Basharat Syed - CITY OF LA $16 (base) earnings ($1,601 and above) Eduardo Nunez - CITY OF LA Fredrick Roberts - DAY WIRELESS MINIMUM MONTHLY UNION DUES ARE $36 WHEN MONTHLY EARNINGS ARE LESS THAN $1,600 Charles Johnson - FOX SPORTS

IMPORTANT: Members must notify the Local 45 office if there is a change in your employment status, i.e., rate Kelly Sedar - FOX SPORTS increase/decrease, lay-off, leave of absence, completion of freelance work assignment etc. Andrew Beata - GE Kenneth Santy - GE BASE DUES PER CAPITA INCREASE 2014 John Vandenberg - GE IBEW International Office Per Capita Dues Increase Effective January 1, 2014 Edward (Kip) Hannan - HOLLYWOOD PARK/SANTA ANITA MEMBER TYPE NEW BASE Rodney Cummings - KCBS/KCAL DUES RATE David Gonzales - KCBS/KCAL “BA” Members $18 Ron Jacobs - KCBS/KCAL “FP” (Fee Payer) $18 Gary Johnson - KCBS/KCAL “A” Members $33 Steve Medina - KCBS/KCAL David Mumby - KCBS/KCAL John Breedlove - KCRA PUBLIC SECTOR WAGE INCREASES Patrick De George - KCRA Your monthly union dues will increase as a result of an increase in your salary Tom Amico - KFSN SECTOR RATE EFFECTIVE Steven Taylor - KFSN Jeremy Burnham - KIIS INCREASE Carol Osgood - KOVR City of L.A. 5.25% 1-1-2014 Mark Baggs - KPIX 2% 10-10-2013 Robert Lai - KPIX County of L.A.* 2% 10-1-2014 Jennifer Mistrot - KPIX 2% 4-1-2015 Alan Eng - KRON L.A.U.S.D. TBA TBA Michael Johnson - KRON L.A.C.C.D. 3% 9-1-2013 Stanley Roberts - KRON

*Scheduled wage increases effective upon member ratification vote John Collins - KSEE Jason Harvey - KTNV OBJECTION PLAN INFORMATION Travis Marshall - KTNV Benjamin Cruz - KTVU During the course of the year, objectors will be expected to remit the full amount of fees charged by the Local Union. John Klossner - KTVU However, by no later than January 31 (or as soon as possible in the case of timely mid-year objections), the Local Union will mail a check to each individual who perfects a timely objection, reflecting the deduction in the Local’s portion of James Wagner - KTVU agency fees to which the objector will be entitled for the twelve-month period (or the period remaining in the current Vernon Yonemura - LACC calendar year). Under separate cover, the objector will also receive a check from the International Office reflecting the Art Brickman - LACC reduction in monthly per capita payments to which the objector is entitled. The annual notice of the procedure for filing Chadwick David - LAUSD objections will be published in the October issue of The Electrical Worker. You may also access The Electrical Worker at www.ibew.org. Gilbert Martinez - LAUSD

4 Open Channels Fall 2013 www.ibew45.org Awards & Recognition Congratulations to Local 45 Members who have been recognized for their outstanding work!

Jennifer Mistrot of KPIX-TV San Francisco celebrates her recent Emmy win with IBEW Local 45 members. Back Row (L-R): Gevork “George” Mutafyan, Mike Murray, Vice President Art Brickman, Business Rep. Hugh McGuigan, President Donna Stock, Rodney Cummings. Front Row (L-R): Business Rep Vic Marrero, Treasurer Basharat Syed, Maria Martinez, Business Manager Elaine Ocasio, Jennifer Mistrot and her Emmy, Recording Secretary Selena Cornish, and Nagi Akl.

Laurie Fernandez of KCBS/ KCAL TV in Los Angeles hit a triple at the Radio and Televi- sion News Association Golden Mike Awards earlier this year, winning for Best Spot News Re- porting; Best News Videography of a Hard News Story, Series or Special; and Best Video Editing of a Hard News Story, Series or Special. Fernandez also cleaned up at the Mark Twain Awards in June, winning for Best Editing; Best Spot News Story; and Best Videography of Hard News. Jack King, Electronics Communications Technician for the L.A. County Sher- iff’s Department, was named by the department as Electronic Communica- tions Technician of the Year. IBEW Local 45 Business Manager Elaine Ocasio and Business Rep Vic Marrero were on hand to congratulate Jack.

Garry Ashton of KCBS/KCAL-TV picked up an Emmy for Producing a MORE KUDOS: March Madness Sports Tease. The NASCAR on FOX Audio Team received an Emmy for outstanding Live Event Audio/Sound. The team includes IBEW Local 45 members Fred Aldous, Ben Altopp Richard Alvarez KCBS/KCAL received an Emmy for News Editing for “The and George Kemper. Prison Project.”

5 Notes From Around the Union: Northern California Report

This marks the 15th year that Hugh McGuigan opened contract negotiations that are going to take has represented Local 45’s Northern California a lot of time and effort to complete, so that’s our members. McGuigan services San Francisco, main tasks for the next couple of months. Oakland, Sacramento and Fresno. Hugh McGuigan’s Northern California Report: “Hugh has been a tremendous asset to me this KTVU Channel 2 Oakland year,” said Local 45 Business Manager Elaine Contract negotiations are the main focus at the Ocasio. “He holds a lot of the history of the con- station at this time. Significant progress was being tracts we have had to negotiate and he has devel- made until AFTRA attempted to claim jurisdiction oped relationships over the years that help in the over VJ work. We are currently working with AF- bargaining process.” Open Channels asked Hugh TRA and IATSE to see if reasonable compromises about his job. can be made. What has been your primary focus the past couple of months? KCRA Channel 3 Sacramento HM: Provide strong representation for our A new contract was successfully negotiated at the members. Enforce their labor agreements, make station with improvements in wages and increased sure they get proper pay and treatment and just compensation when extra duties are assumed by strongly represent the members of our local. MC operators. There have also been some success- Are there one or two accomplishments ful outcomes to a couple of grievances at the station you’d like to highlight? recently. Hugh McGuigan HM: We were able to get a terminated em- KRON Channel 4 San Francisco ber 2012, replacing long-time GM Ron Longinotti. ployee reinstated through the grievance proce- The station continues to make investments in The local and the company had a long-standing dure. We went to bat for this employee and got equipment and technology, which allows the sta- good working relationship with Ron and we were him back on the job. We were pleased and proud tion to compete in the marketplace. It was recently sorry to see the change. A lot of emphasis at the about that. We were able to secure a premium announced that the station will be merging with station this year has been working to ensure the wage rate position with GE. There are a number . A labor management meeting is safety of members in the field. There has been a of things that are positive things. That’s a few planned to discuss impact on the membership. lot of crime against news personnel and meetings highlights. with the employer have been held to work on Anything coming up you’d like to highlight? KPIX Channel 5 San Francisco HM: There’s a number of opened or soon-to-be- A new GM was assigned to the station in Septem- (Continued on page 8)

Notes From Around the Union: Public Sector Report

A lot of you know Victor Marrero, who served ing to get the members a raise since they haven’t as the President of Local 45’s Executive Board received a raise since 2009. With Charter, we’re for 10 years still negotiating. It’s a very tight unit. The mem- “I hired him in February to be the Representa- bers are tight together tive for the Public Sector,” said Local 45 Busi- What are upcoming goals? ness Manager Elaine Ocasio. “Vic brings his One of the main things is we’re trying to orga- experience of 30 years working for the City of nize more shops. That’s the thing that I want to L.A. and much enthusiasm to his new position.” shoot for. Open Channels asked Victor about his job. What have you been focusing on the last Victor Marrero’s Public Sector report couple of months? CITY OF LOS ANGELES Basically I’ve been negotiating with the I and an IBEW 45 Technician went to the Los County of Los Angeles. That’s the main thing Angeles County Fire Department and had a I’ve been concentrating on the most. We’ve also meeting with the Chief in charge of all new fire been negotiating with Charter Communications. mobile installation to discuss making overtime What have been a couple of recent high- and “call-outs” equally distributed. lights? I visited various Los Angeles County Hospitals For the county, the folks haven’t had a raise to discuss new job specs for Medical Electronic Victor Marrero for four or five years. That’s the key thing, try- (Continued on page 7)

6 Open Channels Fall 2013 www.ibew45.org Chowchilla bus kidnapping that made national news. In 1983 he was in Coalinga for three days covering the Retiree’s Corner earthquake that destroyed the town. Public Sector Report He also has traveled to Texas to cover one of the Pres- idential conventions. One thing that Chuck will tell you (Continued from page 6) is that the news broadcasting has changed a lot in his span of time working, but he will also tell you that he Technicians. has loved every minute of it. I filed a complaint with the Los Angeles County CAO Office about fire fighters pro- JAY HARMER gramming portable radios at all County Fire Local 45 member Jay Harmer retired after 33 years Stations. Jurisdiction states that this is part at CBS. Jay played a major role in updating many of of the Electronic Communication Technician the studios at TV City. The Executive Board presented spec job. I also spoke with Chris Hannan from Jay with a plaque to recognize his years of service as a the LA/OC Building Trades about this violation Shop Steward and a member of the Negotiation Com- and he will help me settle this issue. mittee for the CBS National Agreement. We started negotiations with the Los An- His plans now are to relax and travel. We wish him geles County on July 18, 2013 After various the best! negotiation meetings with Los Angeles County and the LA/OC Building Trades, we are near ANDY ELLIS completion. Chuck Hoover This year marked the retirement of long-time mem- ber and Steward Andy Ellis. While this is a loss to the LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT Chuck Hoover Local and Andy’s coworkers, we wish him a long and I settled a grievance at Los Angeles Commu- Chuck’s interest in news started in high school prosperous and well-deserved retirement. We would nity College where a member was not able to where he was involved in the school newspaper also like to thank member Brian Tonneson for stepping take comp time past July. and yearbook. Before he could drive, his mother up and taking the important role of shop steward. Working with members to promote mem- assisted him with his passion of taking pictures by getting up at 4 o’clock in the morning to take bership participation at various colleges. him around town to shoot different fires, acci- dents, and other events in Fresno so he could sell LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT them to for $5. I participated in a school board meeting to Chuck’s career included time in the Army and keep the funding so that our members will service in Vietnam. While in Vietnam he picked have no furloughs or layoffs. up the thing he loved most – his camera – and We are having a shop meeting with our was able to take many pictures as a combat pho- members to discuss trouble and try to resolve tographer. After Chuck completed his time in issues in Labor/Management meeting. the service, he returned to Fresno and took a job with CBS Channel 2 before moving to ABC KGET (BAKERSFIELD) 30, where he spent most of his career. Chuck has Meeting with our members to discuss their seen many changes in the television industry. In concerns after the station has been taken over the mid 70’s, video tape took the place of film in by a new owner. We are working with our the news world. During this time Chuck was one IBEW Local 45 Business Manager Elaine Ocasio with a recently-retired members to find them work after elimination of the first cameramen in the valley to cover the Jay Harmer. of master control.

Big Victory KERO (BAKERSFIELD) Elaine and I met with members at the sta- (Continued from page 1) tions where they are upgrading the station. ers, and reporters were asked to do the job of agreements,” McGuigan said. “A lot of employers are We spoke with the General Manager who photographers. He added that this January will able to keep their employees isolated or insulated informed us that they are going to be hiring mark the third year without a raise while the sta- from what goes on in other working environments.” two new technical directors. tion acquired new trucks, gear and a new set. “But when you have news photographers that mix “It really truly got to a point where the term with other news photographers from other stations KBAK unfair labor practices really fit,” Long said. “It ba- on breaking news stories, they have the opportunity Working to provide members training to sically allowed them to go out and hire cheaper to talk and mingle. We made an effort to put good, keep them at a high standard of competence labor. If anybody can do your job, then they can strong union people in Stewards roles in those envi- in our Broadcast Industry. hire anybody to do that job. We pretty much be- ronments so that they have a chance to spread infor- came the whipping horse. For example you didn’t mation to non-union people so they can learn what’s see producers doing the job of five people. It was going on, and this happened in this case.” CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS just reporters and photographers. It was really Next up for IBEW Local 45 and the reporters and We are negotiating with Charter Communi- just like that ongoing for the last couple of years.” photographers at KTXL are negotiations at the end of cations for a renewal contract. Your Business Long and McGuigan said that the reporters and October. Manager Elaine Ocasio and myself have met photographers at KTXL benefitted from interact- “The intent is to work hard on improving the wage with our members to discuss various issues ing with others doing the same job for competing and benefit package that the group receives,” Mc- that affect working conditions and safety. stations out in the field and learning how their Guigan said. “We know that they’re underpaid and Charter Communication member participa- working conditions differed. the goal is to get them a reasonable wage rate and tion is very high and well attended at our shop “They’re significantly underpaid for what they benefit package that’s commensurate with the work meetings. do in the marketplace relative to other IBEW they do.”

7 Local 45 Members Play Key Roles (Continued from page 1) That was a busy day. “As far as financially they’ve helped out,” Both Foster and Doyle appreciate the work that Weaver said. “Whenever they have to go into the news desk before landing his current posi- the union does. negotiations, they’re always weighing out tion. He’s been a union member since he started “The main thing the union does is our contract, what’s best for us. They take the leadership working. just establishing what can and can’t be done,” Foster role in figuring out what’s best for us in the As an assignment editor, Doyle monitors a bay said. “There are certain rules.” long run. I give them credit for doing that for of scanners, listening to what’s happening in the Doyle added that Local 45 representation is some- us.” world of fire and police. If something starts to go thing he can turn to when needed. Weaver added that he felt that working at down, he investigates to see if it’s newsworthy. If “They’re always there if there’s some sort of trou- KCBS/KCAL was like being with family. so, he consults with producers, and a determina- ble,” Doyle said. “I look at them as some place you “The great thing about it, and I guess that’s tion is made if a chopper or reporter needs to be can turn to if you’ve got a problem and need some with every place that you work at, are the peo- deployed. A brush fire near the Hollywood Free- advice.” ple,” Weaver said. “Everybody has those mo- way that gets helicopter coverage was likely first Drew Weaver is a technical engineer at KCBS/ ments when work isn’t always the greatest, but heard on a scanner by someone such as Doyle. KCAL’s Technical Operation Center. He works in you come in and it’s like a family. It’s been a Rodney Foster also works as an assignment front of a Mission Control type expanse of monitors. great environment in that aspect.” editor and coordinates logistics. He been a union One screen shows the Santa Monica shore, another When it comes to getting the news out, Foster member since joining the station in June of 1985. Downtown L.A., another the U.S. Capitol, and others takes pride in the important role that usually He’s been on the job during such big events as the show popular programming such at “The People’s unheralded assignment editors hold. Cerritos midair plain crash in 1986, the ‘92 civil Court” and “The Talk.” “There’s something special about being part unrest following the Rodney King verdict, the ‘94 “It’s really a technical person’s dream,” Weaver of dispensing information to people,” Foster Northridge earthquake, the O.J. Simpson White said. “With this place, we have a system that’s set up said. “I’m part of the history too. There’s some- Ford Bronco chase and numerous fires. Doyle unlike anything else in the world. We can put any- thing special about it that makes it seem like added that the Northridge Earthquake of 1994 thing we want on.” it’s more than just I’m answering phones and stands out in his memory. He arrived at work as Weaver has worked at the station for 17 years. He telling people where to go. It feels like there’s it struck, finding tiles blanketing the newsroom. too was grateful for having Local 45 in his corner. something significant about it.”

If there’s breaking news, folks like Terry Doyle probably heard about it first. Drew Weaver, a technical engineer at KCBS/KCAL’s Technical Operation Center in Los Angeles, operates an expanse of monitors.

NORCAL Report (Continued from page 6) change. The new owner -- Nexstar -- is now mov- what could be done to ensure a safe work envi- Day Wireless Benicia ing two other stations onto the KSEE property. ronment. The company continues to see a slow down in This is a positive development for the station and work. Much of the work done by the technicians is likely to improve job security. We are currently KVIE Channel 6 Sacramento at Day Wireless is dependent upon government in negotiations with the new owner towards a KVIE is a PBS station and has experienced a and municipal money and there has been a lot of new agreement. significant reduction in viewer contributions cut backs in that area. After negotiations with the and corporate sponsorships. The members are KFSN Chanel 30 Fresno company, a new contract was ratified. in the final year of their contract and we are KFSN continues to be the market leader in Fres- hopeful that economics will be improved by the CBS/FOX Sports Employees no. Members are entering the final year of their time we enter our next round of negotiations. Several site visits were made this past year to CBA and will be seeing a wage increase. Novem- meet with members employed in the production ber of last year saw the retirement of long-time KOVR Channel 13 Sacramento of major sports productions. We are seeing the member Chuck Hoover. It took the filing of an Unfair Labor Practice potential for work increases in the area and con- charge with the NLRB to finally force the em- GE Greater Bay Area tinue to work to secure additional work for our ployer to the table and bargain towards a new We have seen employment numbers improve members. agreement. The employer made a substandard since the last contract negotiations. Member Pete proposal on wages that was unanimously reject- Organizing Anderson has been recognized two consecutive ed by the membership. The Local continues to work on organizing the years as the number one technician in the coun- unorganized throughout the entire area of the try. A grievance was recently won to preserve a KSEE Channel 24 Fresno union’s jurisdiction. The station recently underwent an ownership premium wage position with the employer.

8 Open Channels Fall 2013 www.ibew45.org