IBEW Local 715s welcome sign and show of support for its newly organized unit is posted in a strategic location on the lawn for all WDJT-TV employees and management to see on their way to work.

Milwaukee Broadcasters
Tune Into IBEW

Approximately 50 production and technical employees at CBS affiliate WDJT-TV in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, voted for representation by IBEW Local 715, becoming the first workers at the station to join a union.

WDJT-TV is owned by Chicagos Weigel Broadcasting Company, which also operates two UHF stations in Milwaukee (Channels 41 and 63).

The new unit includes: engineers, photographers, editors, assignment editors, technical crew, and promotional and master control personnel.

"Organizing at WDJT began in earnest internally in January 2003," said Local 715 Business Manager Christopher J. Albrecht. WDJT employees voted 27-19 for the IBEW in a May 8 National Labor Relations Board representation election requested by the local on March 31. Contract negotiations for a first agreement on behalf of the new IBEW unit are currently underway.

With approximately 263 members, Local 715 represents workers in the broadcasting industry at six other Milwaukee television and radio stations: WISN-TV (ABC); WITI-TV (FOX); WMVS/WMVT-TV (PBS); WTMJ-TV (NBC & PAX); WTMJ-AM; and WKTI-FM. In addition, Local 715 represents two units of television workers at Madison, Wisconsin, WKOW-TV, and technicians at Norlight Telecommunications, Inc., a Wisconsin-based telephone and satellite services provider.

"Local 715 has approximately 65 percent coverage in broadcasting stations within the Milwaukee market," Albrecht said. "We are continuing our organizing efforts here and throughout the state of Wisconsin."

ORGANIZINGWIRE

September 2003 IBEW Journal

Local 715