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A Question for Michael Eisenscher Re: KPFA and KQED
Michael Eisenscher is making a public statement withdrawing support from the Pacifica Foundation. He is also, I assume, withdrawing his financial support from KQED Public Television and Public Radio due to their ongoing relationship with the same law firm and advocating that all labor-minded individuals do the same?
Folger-Levin is the law firm retained by the Pacifica Foundation to address libel charges directed at the foundation by Local 9415 of the CWA.
http://www.folgerlevin.com/practice/charitable.html
Quote: "Folger Levin understands our organization and the legal issues we face. I trust Folger-Levin to develop solutions for issues critical to our mission. They are always there for us".
Margaret Berry, General Counsel, Northern California Public Broadcasting including KQED.
*********
Mr Eisenscher's statement per kpfaworker.org
Today I sent the following message to KPFA/Pacifica:
I am informed that management has hired a union-hostile law firm to deal with its labor relations problems. I will not permit Pacifica/KPFA to use my money to fund this kind of activity. I currently make two $10/month contributions. Immediately cancel both. I will escrow the funds I otherwise would willingly donate until management abandons its anti-labor, union-hostile actions.
Please confirm receipt of this instruction and confirmation that my automatic donations billed to my credit care have been terminated.
Michael Eisenscher
http://www.folgerlevin.com/practice/charitable.html
Quote: "Folger Levin understands our organization and the legal issues we face. I trust Folger-Levin to develop solutions for issues critical to our mission. They are always there for us".
Margaret Berry, General Counsel, Northern California Public Broadcasting including KQED.
*********
Mr Eisenscher's statement per kpfaworker.org
Today I sent the following message to KPFA/Pacifica:
I am informed that management has hired a union-hostile law firm to deal with its labor relations problems. I will not permit Pacifica/KPFA to use my money to fund this kind of activity. I currently make two $10/month contributions. Immediately cancel both. I will escrow the funds I otherwise would willingly donate until management abandons its anti-labor, union-hostile actions.
Please confirm receipt of this instruction and confirmation that my automatic donations billed to my credit care have been terminated.
Michael Eisenscher
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i do not believe the Morning show people when they say that there was some Anti Union plot to get rid of them .
I got to say that Truth be told both of those hosts would fit in fine on Corporate media .
It does seem to me though that the Pacifica heads shot themselves in the foot with hiring these Corporate lawyers .
I got to say that Truth be told both of those hosts would fit in fine on Corporate media .
It does seem to me though that the Pacifica heads shot themselves in the foot with hiring these Corporate lawyers .
The firm split up in 2009 and the "big business" part went to another firm.
Current client list includes the following not for profits:
# The Fine Arts Museums
# (de Young Museum and Legion of Honor)
# Jewish Community Center of
# San Francisco
# Northern California Public Broadcasting Inc. (KQED)
Pacifica has the right to defend itself. It is not the aggressor here. The union has filed a bunch of bogus complaints. No one is attacking the union's right to exist. The union is attacking the Foundation's right to maintain financial viability.
Some preliminary end of the fiscal year numbers:
KPFA
2010 Revenue Total $3,5 Million
2010 Expenses Total $4.55 Million
2010 Salaries and Benefits $2.2 Million
By comparison
KPFK (Pacifica's LA Station)
2010 Revenue Total $3.3 Million
2010 Expenses Total $3.2 Million
2010 Salaries and Benefits $1.5 Million
Head to Head:
$200,000 more in Revenue
$700,000 more in Salaries and Benefit Expenses
Current client list includes the following not for profits:
# The Fine Arts Museums
# (de Young Museum and Legion of Honor)
# Jewish Community Center of
# San Francisco
# Northern California Public Broadcasting Inc. (KQED)
Pacifica has the right to defend itself. It is not the aggressor here. The union has filed a bunch of bogus complaints. No one is attacking the union's right to exist. The union is attacking the Foundation's right to maintain financial viability.
Some preliminary end of the fiscal year numbers:
KPFA
2010 Revenue Total $3,5 Million
2010 Expenses Total $4.55 Million
2010 Salaries and Benefits $2.2 Million
By comparison
KPFK (Pacifica's LA Station)
2010 Revenue Total $3.3 Million
2010 Expenses Total $3.2 Million
2010 Salaries and Benefits $1.5 Million
Head to Head:
$200,000 more in Revenue
$700,000 more in Salaries and Benefit Expenses
Thanks for the reply . But it's not just museuems . They represent Hyatt hotels against Local 2 Hotel workers .
I voted for Indys for Community Radio and that Labor Video Producer Stephen Zeltzer . I know those guys you ran against are liars . It still seems to me that the Pacifica heads screwed up in hiring those lawyers .
I voted for Indys for Community Radio and that Labor Video Producer Stephen Zeltzer . I know those guys you ran against are liars . It still seems to me that the Pacifica heads screwed up in hiring those lawyers .
Gosh! Michael Eisenscher is withdrawing a whopping $240 in donations from Pacifca!
Whatever shall we do without him...
But seriously. This kind of nonsense is exactly what the COINTELPRO forces want us to obsess on. A bunch of disgruntled neo-Democrat elitists withholding money from the organization over a bogus conflict that they know absolutely nothing about. And if they got educated, they would be extremely angry with the existing union; and likely donate -more- to Pacifica to keep it from going under due to KPFA's dismal mismanagement.
There used to be -another- union at KPFA that supported -all- of the station workers. Not just a handful of nimby paid staff members.
Whatever shall we do without him...
But seriously. This kind of nonsense is exactly what the COINTELPRO forces want us to obsess on. A bunch of disgruntled neo-Democrat elitists withholding money from the organization over a bogus conflict that they know absolutely nothing about. And if they got educated, they would be extremely angry with the existing union; and likely donate -more- to Pacifica to keep it from going under due to KPFA's dismal mismanagement.
There used to be -another- union at KPFA that supported -all- of the station workers. Not just a handful of nimby paid staff members.
Pacifica had to hire an experienced labor law attorney. No firm which represents labor will defend an employer. Therefore, they had to use this one.
To avoid these financial drains of court cases, listeners quitting, etc., there is another solution - KPFAworker should stop contesting these staff cuts. They can bring down the network protesting this needed financial remedy to a situation they (the CL et al) brought on by their financial irresponsibility. The other 4 Pacifica stations made the necessary cuts, and are spending less on salaries which the stations and networks can't afford. KPFK, with a much larger listening audience, is down to 24 full time hours; why not KPFA?
True progressives do not want to bring down a progressive network with 5 stations in large metropolitan areas plus over 100 affiliates.
If Pacifica loses its broadcast license, then what?
For more comments on this situation, see the comments to the article
"Pacifica Spends KPFA Listeners' Dollars on Union-Busting"
at http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/11/23/18664903.php
To avoid these financial drains of court cases, listeners quitting, etc., there is another solution - KPFAworker should stop contesting these staff cuts. They can bring down the network protesting this needed financial remedy to a situation they (the CL et al) brought on by their financial irresponsibility. The other 4 Pacifica stations made the necessary cuts, and are spending less on salaries which the stations and networks can't afford. KPFK, with a much larger listening audience, is down to 24 full time hours; why not KPFA?
True progressives do not want to bring down a progressive network with 5 stations in large metropolitan areas plus over 100 affiliates.
If Pacifica loses its broadcast license, then what?
For more comments on this situation, see the comments to the article
"Pacifica Spends KPFA Listeners' Dollars on Union-Busting"
at http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/11/23/18664903.php
Mario may be right, they shouldn't have hired that firm.
I should point out that what Pacifica hired was not labor attorneys, but attorneys familiar with labor law, from the corporate side. But as I said, labor attorneys would not represent them, being management.
Not the desirable choice, but they may not felt they had any choice.
However I don't agree with demonizing Pacifica National; they are trying to handle Pacifica affairs, unlike some previous Pacifica administrations.
I should point out that what Pacifica hired was not labor attorneys, but attorneys familiar with labor law, from the corporate side. But as I said, labor attorneys would not represent them, being management.
Not the desirable choice, but they may not felt they had any choice.
However I don't agree with demonizing Pacifica National; they are trying to handle Pacifica affairs, unlike some previous Pacifica administrations.
I understand there used to be a progressive union at KPFA, the United Electrical Workers, who got forced out by the ACG and were then replaced by the CWA which was seen as a company union.
That's the bare bones of what I've heard. Could someone give more details, or correct me on this, or post a link to an article?
That's the bare bones of what I've heard. Could someone give more details, or correct me on this, or post a link to an article?
The Old Regime's Legacy at KPFA by Maria Gilardin:
http://danielborgstrom.blogspot.com/2004/08/old-regimes-legacy-at-kpfa.html
PACIFICA by Maria Gilardin:
http://www.ringnebula.com/folio/Vol2Issue1/Gilardin040301.htm
KPFA Workers Sign Divisive Contract, Lay-Off's Follow by Lyn Gerry
http://freepacifica.savegrassrootsradio.org/fp/samuel.htm
Union Busting, Labor and Pacifica Radio by Steve Zeltzer:
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/09/11/18658483.php?show_comments=1#18658498
http://danielborgstrom.blogspot.com/2004/08/old-regimes-legacy-at-kpfa.html
PACIFICA by Maria Gilardin:
http://www.ringnebula.com/folio/Vol2Issue1/Gilardin040301.htm
KPFA Workers Sign Divisive Contract, Lay-Off's Follow by Lyn Gerry
http://freepacifica.savegrassrootsradio.org/fp/samuel.htm
Union Busting, Labor and Pacifica Radio by Steve Zeltzer:
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/09/11/18658483.php?show_comments=1#18658498
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