Mediator Brought In to Stalled Wage Talks At KFWB

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A mediator has been called into the stalled contract negotiations between the management and news production assistants at KFWB-AM (980). The talks will resume on Oct. 1, according to station officials.

The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists held a demonstration outside the all-news radio station on Sept. 5 to protest what union officials have called unfair labor practices at KFWB and to demand higher wages for the NPAs, who voted to organize last year.

AFTRA spokeswoman Rebecca Henry earlier this month blamed station officials for stalling talks with their “inadequate wage offer.” KFWB General Manager Roger Nadel declined to comment on the offer.

The NPAs, whose duties include setting up live remotes and compiling data for the station’s on-air news staff, authorized a strike vote in August, seven months after negotiations began.


Hard Times

When the Los Angeles Times recently announced plans to shut down its three weekly newspapers, officials said the 18 laid-off employees would receive an “enhanced severance package” and invited to apply for other jobs within the newspaper or its parent firm, Tribune Co.

But one of those affected said that in order to receive the severance package, employees of the San Gabriel Valley Weekly, South Bay Weekly and Westside Weekly must sign an agreement that would preclude them from applying for Tribune jobs in the future.

“Everybody is intimidated by the whole thing,” said the source, adding that people might decline the package for fear of not being able to work for the company again.

“The severance is subject to other terms and conditions,” said Times spokeswoman Martha Goldstein. She declined to comment further.


Variety Means Business

Following the appearance of a story in Los Angeles magazine that raised questions about the journalistic ethics of Variety editor in chief Peter Bart, the trade paper has started running house ads touting its credibility.

A full-page ad that appeared in Variety last week read: “It’s not personal. It’s strictly business. The world’s best, most informed entertainment business journalists.”

Publisher Charles Koones said the three-month campaign was planned before the Bart story appeared. Several ads will run on a regular basis and will feature Variety’s writers, columnists and critics, he added.

Los Angeles magazine’s September issue alleged Bart had tried to sell a movie script while at the publications, which is a violation of company policy. Variety’s parent company Cahners Business Information conducted an internal investigation and suspended Bart for 21 days.

Claudia Peschiutta can be reached at 323-549-5225 ext. 229 or cpeschiutta@ labusinessjournal.com.

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