Contract talks break off between IBEW 4 and KSDK Channel 5

Union thanks public for boycott, urges continuation until reason prevails

Contract talks between IBEW Local 4 and KSDK Channel 5 have broken off as the station refuses to respond to the union’s effort to resolve their current contract issues, Local 4 Business Manager Mike Pendergast told the Labor Tribune.

The union’s current three-year pact expired Jan. 31. After almost a dozen negotiating sessions in which Local 4 offered many options for concessions and the station ignored, talks broke off. No talks are currently set.

At stake are the jobs of St. Louis television and radio workers not only at Channel 5, but all other stations in the St. Louis market represented by Local 4.

“This is an unprecedented attack on our members ability to earn a living,” said Pendergast, noting the incredible support they are receiving from others within the local and national broadcast industry as well the community-at-large. “We deeply appreciate that kind of support. It says a lot to station management, but they apparently just don’t care.”

Pendergast said the union made considerable concessions in its last contract to give the station “jurisdictional flexibility.” However, Tegna-KSDK failed to live up to its own concession not to use that flexibility to result in diminution (shrinking) of the bargaining unit.

“It’s clear from my conversations in the community that people are turning off Channel 5. We ask they continue their boycott until Tegna Media decides that honoring the work out members do makes financial sense to them.”