With the Stanley Cup Playoffs being broadcast on NBC, St. Louis area union members may be wondering how they can enjoy watching the St. Louis Blues battle the Boston Bruins while honoring IBEW Local 4’s ongoing boycott of NBC affiliate KSDK Channel 5.
Michael Pendergast, business manager/financial secretary of Local 4 offers the following advice to enjoy the games as well as the pre- and post-game coverage, while honoring the boycott.
“Our IBEW Local 4 boycott of KSDK continues, Pendergast said. “And we appreciate your support.
“With regards to St. Louis Blues’ Stanley Cup Playoffs telecasts, NBC Sports owns the television broadcast rights. Most telecasts will be carried on NBC Sports Cable Channel. But, a handful of games may be carried on NBC’s local over-the-air affiliate, KSDK. Our KSDK boycott does not extend to programs which KSDK does not produce. We do ask the public to limit their hockey viewing to the game only.
“Fox Sports Midwest is a Local 4 signatory which will be providing extensive pre- and post-game coverage. We encourage you to watch Fox Sports Midwest before and after each hockey telecast.”
Enjoy the playoffs. Honor the boycott.
GO BLUES!
ABOUT THE BOYCOTT
Several years ago when KSDK was in financial straits, union-represented photographers, editors and technicians agreed to a 10 percent pay cut to help the station get through the rough patch. The station is profitable now, but contract talks have stalled over management’s demand that its photographers, editors and technicians agree to:
- A pay freeze, despite members taking a 10 percent pay cut when the station was in financial stress.
- No seniority for layoffs.
- Less working condition protections than other TV stations have for their Local 4 members.
Local 4’s contract with Channel 5 expired in July of last year.
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