As many listeners may be aware, there is a tempest brewing in the Bay Area. The Pacifica National Board is facing bankruptcy which brought up the prospect of lay-offs. Layoffs brought the Union representing KPFA and KPFB workers into the picture. The Communication Workers of America CWA, Local 9415 traditionally avoids involvement in KPFA/Pacifica Foundation governance issues. And the Pacifica National Board has no legal authority to circumvent the Contract. Feelings are hot all round. To cool things down and look at the issue clearly Christina Huggins, Executive Vice President of Communication Workers of America Local 9415 joined us by phone. Agreed: A contract is a contract is a contract. And those three workers who were laid off? They were all on the very popular morning news strip, their programming consistently drew the strongest support during membership drives, the Pacific Foundation is heading into bankruptcy and the station is about to gas-up for the Winter drive. It’s a cliff-hanger…but there is a net. The Union knows how to put the money together. So why won’t the Pacific National Board play ball? www.kpfaworker.org
The Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday in a case that could have far-reaching implications for millions of consumers and employees. And the implications aren’t good. The case, AT&T Mobility Services vs. Concepcion has been treated with deafening silence by Mainstream Media; not close to as important as mystery missiles zooming out of the ocean off the coast of California? More like the cowed quiet of a corporation awaiting a decision on those Arbitration clauses printed in the nanotype at the bottom of service agreements…You know, the ones that strip the average citizen of the ability to launch a class action suit in self defense…? Lisa Graves, Executive Director of the Center for Media & Democracy and prWatch.org weighed in on this one. That's www.prwatch.org or just go to the Media & Democracy website...
- KBOO