WGME Workers (IBEW 1837) Picket for Fair Contract

On Tuesday, WGME-TV workers (IBEW 1837) were joined by other union members and supporters at an informational picket for a fair contract in Portland. The workers held their picket ahead of another bargaining session with the TV station’s parent company Sinclair that afternoon.

“Our members stood on the side of the road on a COLD January morning to bring attention to the fact that they can’t afford rent, groceries, or heating oil with the wages they’re being paid at WGME-TV,” said Chief Steward and Negotiation Committee Member, Jack Amrock. “Unfortunately, the company was just as COLD with their meager offer at the bargaining table. Our members shouldn’t have to decide between staying warm or buying groceries because a multi-billion-dollar corporation is too cheap to pay a livable wage.”

In December, the union members — which include photographers, news producers, directors, news editors, assignment editors, operating technicians, maintenance engineers and creative Producers — agreed to a three-month contract extension until March, but both sides are still far apart on several issues including wages.

"Our members at WGME-TV have been underpaid for far too long, and they know that enough is enough," said Kaitlyn Hegarty, a representative of IBEW Local 1837. "It’s time for Sinclair, one of the largest television station operators in the country, to step up and pay these hardworking employees a decent, fair wage so they can continue serving the community with the quality journalism and news programming it deserves. We are also incredibly grateful to our union siblings who joined us on the informational picket line in this fight. Their solidarity sends a powerful message that working-class Mainers deserve to be paid enough so they don’t have to make difficult decisions about basic necessities."