The content creators at Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) and KMHD Jazz Radio, represented by
SAG-AFTRA, have reached a tentative agreement with OPB, the non-profit public media organization, after nearly two years of negotiation. With close to 90 unit members, they are the largest SAG-AFTRA-represented public media organization on the West Coast.
The three-year contract is a first for this group, which includes on-air staff, hosts, reporters and digital, audio and video producers dedicated to telling stories through radio, TV and online platforms.
“We extend our sincere congratulations to our newest members for their unwavering perseverance throughout the process of achieving and ratifying this contract," said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. “SAG-AFTRA is honored to stand in solidarity as we move forward together.”
“The process of securing this first contract has had a powerful and lasting impact across all of OPB. We are truly excited and grateful to SAG-AFTRA for their partnership in making this possible, and we look forward to realizing the full benefits this milestone represents,” said the organizing committee.
The tentative agreement raises the minimum salary for many positions, including KMHD hosts who will see a nearly 30% increase retroactive to July 1, 2025. Many others will be realizing livable wages with no minimum salary in the contract set at less than $65,000. Additionally, yearly increases of at least 3% are guaranteed for the entire term of the three-year contract. Moreover, premium payments allow for fill-in pay, hazard pay, language differential and standby pay. Protections around AI, safety, grievance processes and layoffs and severance are also built into this initial contract.
After 20 months of negotiations, the unit unanimously ratified the agreement.