KPFA Staff & Community Rally To Protect Community Programming 11/11/2010

than others who would be laid off?

if so, why?

The CWA Local 9415 has had a painful and divisive role within KPFA's history. It basically came in in the mid-to-late 1990's as a scab union replacing the UE, which had represented both paid and unpaid staff in the bargaining unit. The Local 9415 won a certification to represent the paid staff only on a 16-8 vote of the paid staff. Unpaid workers did not vote. Dennis Bernstein was one of the paid staff members at the time who spoke up against the split - and is the only person left who voted against it. For that, it seems, neither he nor anyone else associated with Flashpoints will ever be forgiven.

The Local 9415 is either unaware or is deliberately pretending to be unaware that KPFA interim management (which was 50% composed of former members of the bargaining unit and in 2009 had a permanent GM who was also a former 9415 member) has proposed over and over again layoffs for economic necessity that disproportionately impact both their historical enemy Flashpoints and other programs that are perceived to be less than enthusiastic 9415 backers, like Hard Knock Radio. Regardless of the seniority provisions in the contract.

CWA member and former FP co-host Nora Barrows-Friedman reported being heaped with abuse at a bargaining unit meeting last December when she observed that a 50% hourly cut was imposed on her when it was not on many producers/co-hosts who ranked far below her on the seniority list. She decided to leave the organization due to lack of support.

The "why" is a question. Why has the local 9415 executive vice president endorsed a particular slate for KPFA's local board three times since 2006 (again in 2007 and 2009 and in 2010 as well until the name was removed from the Save KPFA website 2 months ago). You tell me.

The most charitable explanation is that they are participating in a political struggle about the future direction of independent media and KPFA and they have a particular point of view they want to prevail.

There are less charitable explanations.

Speak-Out & Rally At KPFA To Protect Community Programming
On November 11, 2010, a staff and community rally was held at KPFA to
protest the attack on community programming. Many in interviews spoke out about
the corporate direction of KPFA and the need for more community and
the role of the CWA 9415 in supporting the entrenched staff.
39:31 min.
Production of Labor Video Project, laborvideo.blip.tv http://www.laborvideo.org