Workers at Chicago Public Media vote to form union
Employees at Chicago Public Media and public radio station WBEZ have voted to form a union.
The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Wednesday night’s vote was 40-7 in favor of joining the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.
That’s the same organization that represents workers at National Public Radio. Union officials issued a statement saying that employees are “looking forward to negotiating a first contract.”
The new union will represent 49 workers who produce, report, host and present content for WBEZ and sister station Vocalo.
WBEZ criminal and legal affairs reporter Rob Wildeboer told the Sun-Times that the union will give employees a voice to work with management on new initiatives.
A representative of Chicago Public Media did not immediately return phone calls seeking comment.