LAS VEGAS UNION

[<NV Shooter>]

We have been hearing a lot of rumors about KTNV getting the union to come in... Anyone got some inside info?

[<No Replys?>]

Wow, I thought this one would light up like a christmas tree...

I'm not an insider, but close friends with one. I think it's just best to sit back and watch the fireworks.

[<Oh, and...>]

the rumors are true. Cards have been signed, voting is on its way.

[<when?>]

Hey who can we talk to about this because don't all stations have to go union? I would love the pay raze. What is the latested on this to?

[robbrad]

the answer is NO all stations do not have to go union

[Curves Ahead]

Hey Grullon?!?! Whats the 411??

[<b-rolled>]

OK... so here's what I know. Union Cards have been signed at KTNV. KLAS is having a meeting soon, probably to talk about whats goin' on over at KTNV. KVBC is ignoring the whole situation. (LIke they'll EVER go union. Jim Rodgers won't let that happen.) No word on KVVU, but they will probably be the next to go in my opinion.

[<cave,an>]

woo hoo I can't wait.

[<Vote out the union>]

Unions are an outdated joke. They will hold you back and not keep up with technology. The company will find loop holes and ad job duties. Not to mention, the organizers usually end up taking the brunt of the bad blood between the company and the members. good luck.

[<well>]

"Only a fool would try to deprive working men and working women of their right to join the union of their choice."
-- Dwight D. Eisenhower

[<mst6k>]

I've noticed quite a bit of anti-union retoric on here the past few days... I can just picture Las Vegas management hunched over their keyboards at b-roll.net while nobody is looking. hahahaha

[<Cardmember>]

Originally posted by fstopme:
Hey Grullon?!?! Whats the 411?? Many have posted how great this Grullon guys is as a boss. Now his his staff wants bring in a union. I guess Fred is not as great as a chief as they say he is.

[Curves Ahead]

I just asked Fred what the info was...that was it. We cool? :cool:

[<KTNVer>]

Originally posted by &lt;Cardmember&gt;:
quote: Originally posted by fstopme:
Hey Grullon?!?! Whats the 411?? Many have posted how great this Grullon guys is as a boss. Now his his staff wants bring in a union. I guess Fred is not as great as a chief as they say he is. He is a great boss. He's the best I've ever had. This union thing has nothing to do with him.

[<Cardmember>]

Originally posted by &lt;KTNVer&gt;:
quote: Originally posted by &lt;Cardmember&gt;:
quote: Originally posted by fstopme:
Hey Grullon?!?! Whats the 411?? Many have posted how great this Grullon guys is as a boss. Now his his staff wants bring in a union. I guess Fred is not as great as a chief as they say he is. He is a great boss. He's the best I've ever had. This union thing has nothing to do with him. Oh, if he is so great, is he supporting you all during your union drive? Is he givin' his blessing to go a head with your solidarity? You don't think he, the ND, the GM and corporate and are not conspiring to stop this. The pressure is going to be on Fred to stop the union drive. Fred is management and he is out to cover his butt not yours. Then you will see how great of a chief he really is when you see yourself being written up for petty b.s. until they get rid of you. If you have had any blemish in the past with the station, you might as well walk in with a bulls-eye on your back, because "Cuz" your next out the door.

[Tippster]

Originally posted by &lt;Cardmember&gt;:
quote: Originally posted by &lt;KTNVer&gt;:
quote: Originally posted by &lt;Cardmember&gt;:
quote: Originally posted by fstopme:
Hey Grullon?!?! Whats the 411?? Many have posted how great this Grullon guys is as a boss. Now his his staff wants bring in a union. I guess Fred is not as great as a chief as they say he is. He is a great boss. He's the best I've ever had. This union thing has nothing to do with him. Oh, if he is so great, is he supporting you all during your union drive? Is he givin' his blessing to go a head with your solidarity? You don't think he, the ND, the GM and corporate and are not conspiring to stop this. The pressure is going to be on Fred to stop the union drive. Fred is management and he is out to cover his butt not yours. Then you will see how great of a chief he really is when you see yourself being written up for petty b.s. until they get rid of you. If you have had any blemish in the past with the station, you might as well walk in with a bulls-eye on your back, because "Cuz" your next out the door. Or you could be completely wrong.

You sound like you've had some personal experience in this matter. Wanna share?

[dan bach]

Originally posted by &lt;when?&gt;:
Hey who can we talk to about this because don't all stations have to go union? I would love the pay raze. What is the latested on this to? Over the years I've been in the business, my pay's been "razed."

[<NV Shooter>]

They are voting this week!!!!

[<nevada>]

so what's the headcount look like?

Most unions wouldn't even bother going to vote if they didn't feel as though they'd vote for the union.

[<Union>]

It passed... 11 for, 1 against.

[Flash-Frame]

Good for you guys. Is production going to unionize as well? I always thought votes like that included all wage staffers. I bet Waters will be pissed if he is not included in the union.

[<here they come?>]

So what's their plans for going after the other stations?

Here's what I think is going on ... I hear the WB has already turned in their cards and FOX is in their sights now. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 45 will get their arms around the weaker stations and then make a run at KVBC and KLAS.

ANYONE??? This has been one silent thread for such a talked about topic in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas Goes Union (http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/consumer/2004/dec/02/517919424.html)

[<union made>]

they just came after us today. management trying to tell us why the union won't help us. pretty convincing argument.

[<Vegas?>]

Originally posted by &lt;union made&gt;:
they just came after us today. management trying to tell us why the union won't help us. pretty convincing argument. You at a Vegas station?

[<union made>]

Originally posted by &lt;Vegas?&gt;:
quote: Originally posted by &lt;union made&gt;:
they just came after us today. management trying to tell us why the union won't help us. pretty convincing argument. You at a Vegas station? yes. don't think they'll get into kvbc or klas.

[<Use Yr Head>]

You think management makes a convincing argument for crews not to bring in a union???

Who do you think the highest paid photogs and editors in this country? The ones who are in the union.

Don't listen to management's propaganda.

[<union made>]

no way. you can't compare when you consider cost of living in ALL union markets. unions promote the lowest common denominator. the best photographer gets treated the same as the laziest, worst photographer

[<yes>]

Agreed, Management made a strong case against the union tonight. It will be interesting to hear people talking tomorrow.

[tdelarm]

First, I have noticed as normal that most here are “posting in cloak form” and not under some registered alias. Par for the course I guess. Laziness or I am not sure. Afraid maybe…whatever. However, even when posting under a factious name it gives others a sense of the conversation…a skill I am sure foreign to those few.

Second…I worked in Vegas at KLAS from 85 to 87 starting at $7hr and later raised to $7.42 an hour in 87…two weeks before I gave notice no less. Had great benefits, made life long friends and had unlimited sick leave (which I never used or ever use to this day). My boss (Bryant Blackburn) wasn’t turning much more than $14hr after working….”12 years for KLAS” so I recognized the warning sign.

That being said…when I freelanced for “Mr. Camera” and other Vegas outfits shooting for the networks and such I made $20hr or more but was too much of a wuss to go freelance full time.

So my question for you “NON UNION GUYS” in Vegas is…what the hell are you making now!!!

I bet you a **** load its less than $20 an hr with basic health insurance and retirement.

Of course, you can post what you want but you know inside what you are really making…so…when voting for the union…make sure you do your homework.

Maybe it is for you…maybe its not. But tell me this…what is your annul pay and can you support yourself.

Not all unions are good but for some, they may have more to offer than poverty. It is up to you as a collective group to make the union deal work for you. In LA, it is an on going battle but without it, people working in the broadcasting business would starve. Moreover, trust me, there are plenty of union people in Los Angeles that ride on the coat tails of others expecting them do the “union” work for everybody.

Do yourself a favor, get involved. Personally myself, I’m enjoying working for myself right now.

I hope it works out for everyone in Vegas either way.

Tim

[<in the union>]

I work for ktnv and I'm sure most of the people who post from vegas aren't posting with registered names because they are afraid of reprecussions from management. Let's face it. management reads these posts...just like we do. I know the other stations are considering going union, but nobody wants to talk about it. I don't blame them. If management had any evidence that their people were organizing heads would roll. I think the best bet is to keep it quiet until the cards ar signed, then you are federally protected. The rumor mill has it, that the WB just signed cards, but their new and I don't know any of those guys yet. I'd like to know if that is true or not.

As for how we get paid. I can only speak for myself. I'm in the low 30's, with crappy benifits. Considering the housing boom in vegas, if you weren't lucky enought to already own a house good luck buying one on my salary. That and the srewed up schedules is why I voted for the union.

If you work in vegas, I think your making a mistake if you don't give the union some serious consideration. Management might promise the moon but why haven't they just given it to you without the threat of organizing.

just my 2 cents...

[<Just say yes>]

Just ask San Antonio's KSAT photogs.
They turned down the union a few years back.
Now every single one of them regrets it.
They've been screwed by the managment in so many ways. Don't be stupid, go union!

[<laaaaaazy>]

That's what union workers are. don't get me wrong, there's always stand-outs in every field, but unions aren't there to motivate YOU to be a better photographer.

just wait, 13 in vegas will be working on that collective bargaining agreement that's gonna change their lives and get big salaries after the 12 who voted for the union have already left the market or have gone to the other stations who treat their photographers better, pay as well as the union shop, and have full control over their jobs.

one thing I know is KVBC will NEVER go union. Rogers would sell the station out of spite before he'd allow that to happen. And that would be after a decade of litigation over the CBA. Well, on the other hand, maybe by 2014 they'll finally break Jim's back, but I doubt they have the dedication, especially after the other battles they'll face. You think Meredith won't fight this tooth-and-nail.

Just keep dreamin.

I still think YOU GUYS AT KTNV DID THE RIGHT THING!