You Won't See This Story on the News
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Here is a story you will not see on News-Press & Gazette's KEYT in Santa Barbara.
Unionized staff members at the station are accusing parent company NPG of obstructing the bargaining process, alleging that recent wage proposals for skilled technical positions initially fell below the City of Santa Barbara’s minimum wage requirements.
According to the International Cinematographers Guild (ICG), IATSE Local 600, anchors, producers, multimedia journalists, editors, and photojournalists at the station have been working without a contract for over a year. The union claims that despite good-faith efforts to negotiate, NPG has failed to agree to a fair contract that provides benefits and a living wage.
The dispute has centered largely on compensation in one of California's most expensive housing markets. The union reports that during the most recent round of negotiations, NPG presented a wage grid for highly technical roles, such as video editors and videographers, that was non-compliant with local minimum wage laws. After the union raised compliance concerns, the company reportedly revised the offer to match only the bare legal minimum.
“We do highly skilled, technically demanding work that keeps this station on the air and the community informed, yet we’re being asked to survive on wages that barely meet the legal minimum,” said Gene Silva, a Videographer and Video Editor at KEYT. "This isn't about luxury. It's about dignity, fairness, and being able to live in the community we serve."
Employees voted to join Local 600 in November 2024, citing frustration with low wages and management tactics regarding paid sick days.
"As journalists, we know how to ask tough questions and hold the powerful accountable. NPG must be held to the same standards," said News Producer Owen Pratt.
The union has scheduled a press conference for January 16 at 12:30 p.m. PT in front of the Historic Santa Barbara City Hall to publicly discuss working conditions and the status of the stalled negotiations.
