"Also AFTRA again folds like a cheap card table to Entercom..."
"They said to SAG~AFTRA don't worry...then broke up the CBA at KBLX, now this...."
"By the way, the diversity of KBLX has also been compromised. There are no local Black men personalities anymore..."
The American Federation Of Television And Radio Actors, AFTRA has a remarkably consistent record in doing practically nothing for those in the radio side of broadcasting, don'tcha think?.
This is supposed to be the broadcaster's union, not the station cluster's puppet. AFTRA shares jurisdiction of radio, television, Internet and other new media with its sister union SAG, but their record is
spotless. They have
done nothing for their radio members.
Except collect dues.
They were always too busy chasing after the larger slice of TV dollars than the radio portion, never mind that they have religiously paid dues to this Union throughout the years.
AFTRA's inefficiency for it's radio membership here in the Bay Area, KBLX and KOIT being only the latest in their membership to discover the tissue-thin weakness of their tenuous backup, has been going on for decades. As a radio performer's "partner," AFTRA in San Francisco (and L.A., BTW) was never really very good at supporting them. Their lawyers are kindergarten level guppies splashing in a pool of sharks, gladly giving up territory in order to save their personal status.
And, of course, they're worse now.
Decades of incompetence? Most certainly; check the records. But before pointing fingers, if you have any left, keep in mind: when the sheep are that willing to look the other way, they are equally to blame for their own demise. A union is only as good as its participating members.
By now, AFTRA's failed attempts to create any sense of security or support for its members in the areas of contract negotiation and enforcement, advocacy, lobbying, legislation and public policy issues have not only reflect the timid nature of its members...not only accrued an enormous losing streak... but, like a bowler with a runaway hooking arc, have developed a reliable losing, downhill momentum. And completely lost the faith of its collective family.
The weak and disgraceful AFTRA record of inability to stand up for its radio rank and file, of buckling to the higher fears and fees, dates well back into the previous century. The organization itself should by now be considered
the shame of the AFL-CIO, the International Federation of Journalists, the International Federation of Actors and radio broadcasters everywhere, especially here in the San Francisco Bay Area where their union has initiated virtually nothing in service of its constituents.
Thanks to the pioneering efforts of earlier members, those who were able to join at least 35 years ago,
do some enjoy relatively good, although uneven, health benefits which, while being constantly pecked at, still stand. No new gains in years though, and you can bet there won't be many new union members.
Good luck with your dentistry.
