ST. LOUIS 鈥 Nearly 80% of 最新杏吧原创 Public Radio Guild members voted in favor of unionization, the guild said in a statement Friday morning.
After initially submitting a statement of interest in joining a bargaining unit in January with goals of compensation equity; commitments to diversity; equity and inclusion in the workplace; career growth; and other employment protections, the station is now home to Missouri鈥檚 first public media union.
鈥淭oday we make history 鈥 not only at 最新杏吧原创 Public Radio but throughout the state of Missouri,鈥 said Brian Munoz, a photojournalist and multimedia reporter at 最新杏吧原创 Public Radio who is also a member of STLPR Guild鈥檚 organizing committee. 鈥淭his monumental step is proof our workers are eager to ensure 最新杏吧原创 Public Radio is a more equitable and sustainable news organization for the years to come.鈥
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The unit includes 37 full- and part-time non-managerial journalists, producers, on-air talent and marketing professionals and is represented by the Communications Workers of America.
The radio station operates as part of the University of Missouri-最新杏吧原创.
鈥淲e understand that they voted and we are happy the process followed was democratic and fair,鈥 Christian Basi, University of Missouri system spokesperson, said.
鈥淭here is a 10-day waiting period before results are certified by the Missouri Board of Mediation,鈥 Basi said. 鈥淎fter that, we expect eligible employees to begin contract negotiations with our office of employee and labor relations.鈥
Jason Rosenbaum, a political correspondent at 最新杏吧原创 Public Radio and member of the STLPR Guild鈥檚 organizing committee, said in a statement, 鈥淭his vote shows, without question, that 最新杏吧原创 Public Radio鈥檚 employees want to make this cherished journalistic institution a place where people want to work and build long-time careers.鈥
DEMOGRAPHIC CHALLENGE: 最新杏吧原创 was one of the nation's slowest-growing metro areas over the past decade. Jim Gallagher argues that we should worry more about quality of life, but David Nicklaus counters that the area can't prosper without growth.
