WGA East Journalists At NYC’S 1010 WINS Radio Station Petition Audacy To Address Worker Safety In Contract Talks

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

WGA East Journalists At NYC’S 1010 WINS Radio Station Petition Audacy To Address Worker Safety In Contract Talks As Deadline Looms

The journalists at NYC's 1010 WINS radio station are particularly aiming to address worker safety in the latest round of negotiations

deadline.com

So far this is mainly focused on 1010 WINS one of Audacy’s all news outlets. However the same issues that affect 1010 WINS is something that all other All-News stations managed by Audacy has to deal with.

 

[NewsStud]

This demand to address "worker safety" is a bit confusing. I understand there have been some staffers who have (frighteningly) been physically accosted on their way into or out of work. And at the risk of sounding like an awful person, I have to ask if this is really a matter for Audacy?

If there were some issue within the walls of the office/newsroom, then certainly yes. Management should tolerate zero violence among employees or contractors inside the workplace. But if the concern is for personal safety during commuting, what can Audacy do about that? Are they expected to protective details for everyone?

WGA employees are usually not working on field assignments, like reporters who are SAG-AFTRA. I could see providing security for reporters who need to be outside for the purpose of their jobs.

Should the union not take this up with the Mayor? Should the WGA maybe endorse a certain mayoral candidate in New York City who would commit to public safety and proper policing?

 

[Weiserguy]

News writers aren't required to wear uniforms, logoed blazers or windbreakers, so beyond entering or leaving the Hudson Square building itself, I don't see how they stand out from anyone else. Reporters probably carry recorders and mics, but nothing says they have to be carried in a case with an Audacy or 1010WINS logo on it in a prominent place; they can be carried discretely. And there are disk jockeys of some prominence, and other station staff, entering or leaving that building all hours of the day and night. So is their safety of any less importance than the WGA people? IF there is a problem, then Audacy needs to be paying for uniformed security outside the entrance(s) to that building for all employees and visitors, just like there used to be when WCBS AM & FM were at Black Rock, or 1515 Broadway, or the West 57th Broadcast Center.