PBS NewsHour content creators reveal connection attempt –

PBS NewsHour content creators revealed that they are looking to partner with SAG-AFTRA, which already represents the news unit’s anchors and correspondents.

The workers, who call their group the NewsHour Union, announced the organizing effort on Tuesday. “As the creative engine of one of the most trusted news institutions in the country, our goal is to strengthen this pillar of American television news by creating a better, healthier and more transparent workplace,” the organizing committee said in a statement. the press. they hope to promote “the best workplace in public media”.

The group supports the involvement of more than 75 employees in the trading department, including reporters, editors, producers, associate producers and more. Most of these employees are based in Arlington, Virginia, but some are based at the PBS NewsHour West Bureau in Phoenix, Arizona. And others are remote workers who live across the country, according to the group. PBS NewsHour is owned by WETA, a PBS member station based in Washington, D.C.

The organizing committee said it sent a petition signed by more than 70% of the group’s founders to management on July 5. The right to create a union,” the organizing committee wrote in a statement. the hollywood reporter. But as of Wednesday, “there has been no official response to our request for voluntary recognition.”

WETA’s foreign affairs minister, Mary Stewart, says that the management has been in contact with the union representative appointed by the organizers and that “our intention is to recognize the union voluntarily”, but “we have to follow the formal and appropriate steps to do so.” “Connection” first.

Adds Stewart: “We have a good relationship with our unions.” SAG-AFTRA already represents PBS NewHour anchors and correspondents in its own trading unit, as well as WETA Classical radio station workers and other WETA workers. The Directors Guild of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers also negotiate on behalf of WETA workers. THOUR PBS NewsHour was also contacted for comment.

The PBS content creators group NewsHour says their union’s goal is to “advocate for long-term investments in personnel that improve morale and reduce turnover.” The group adds that they “love” their work: “We are driven by the NewsHour mission. We hope that NewsHour Productions and WETA management will recognize our union and give us a safe place at the table as we work towards a more sustainable company.