SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIF. — Nearly two years of union negotiations between the owner of the ABC, CBS and FOX network affiliates serving California’s Central Coast and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) have failed to reach a resolution, leading IATSE Members to strike across Wednesday.
What’s next for the News-Press & Gazette operation headquartered out of Santa Barbara?
Further talks are to commence between NPG Media and the International Cinematographers Guild (ICG), IATSE Local 600, involving the unionized workers at ABC-aligned KEYT-3, which serves the Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-San Luis Obispo DMA.
Siblings KCOY-12, the CBS affiliate, and KKFX-CD “FOX 11,” which share news resources with KEYT, are also impacted by the union’s claim that management engaged in unfair labor practices after nearly two years of unsuccessful contract negotiations and failed mediation. This saw the stations preempt “NewsChannel 3-12” newscasts, leaving The E.W. Scripps Co.’s San Luis Obispo-based KSBY-6 as the lone outlet in the DMA offering local newscasts; KSBY has traditionally focused on points north of Santa Maria, given the distance between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara (75 minutes by car).
KEYT news employees voted to be represented by the ICG in November 2024. Since then, they have worked to secure a fair first collective bargaining agreement. NPG “has not made meaningful progress at the bargaining table,” Local 600 claims.
During negotiations, the ICG filed three unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging that station management refused to provide information necessary for bargaining, refused to bargain in good faith, and unlawfully interfered with and coerced employees exercising their protected rights. The union also participated in mediation through the California State Mediation and Conciliation Service, but those efforts reached an impasse on July 22 after management failed to resolve the outstanding issues.
“Our members have shown extraordinary patience and professionalism throughout this process,” said ICG Senior Business Representative Raquel Ruiz. “For months, they have come to the table ready to negotiate a fair first contract that recognizes the value of their work for the Central Coast community. Instead, they have faced delays, refusals to provide essential information, and conduct that undermined meaningful bargaining. After exhausting every reasonable avenue to reach an agreement, our members voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike. This vote sends a clear message: they are united, determined, and ready to stand together until they secure the fair contract they have earned.”
Responding to the strike, NPG Media in Santa Barbara General Manager Jim Lemon released a statement to Santa Barbara-based online news organization Noozhawk. “KEYT confirms that unit members have notified management of their intent to strike,” it read. “In line with NPG policy, the company will not provide comment on employment matters.”
In a statement posted at 5:25am Pacific, KEYT explained, “Due to operational disruptions caused by a labor dispute, the station is running alternative programming to our regular newscast. We regret any inconvenience resulting from the actions taken by the union representing our employees. The station remains committed to reaching a fair agreement with the union, and it disavows any suggestion that it has engaged in conduct that violates the National Labor Relations Act.”
Noozhawk says some 30 videographers, producers and other staff are represented by the union.
