KBOO Workers win first-ever union contract!

KBOO is open to the public! To visit the station, contact your staff person or call 503-231-8032.


Employees of KBOO-FM ratified their first-ever union contract Oct. 8, locking in compensation and workplace rules for one year. The agreement was reached four months after workers voted 8-0 to join Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 7901 — and several days before the non-profit station’s Fall Fundraising Drive. KBOO is a non-profit community radio station governed by a board elected by members who donate or volunteer.

The newly-ratified collective bargaining agreement mostly codifies existing employment policies into a legally binding contract. KBOO employees will also have a formal grievance procedure, and the protection of a union contract clause which says they can’t be terminated except for “just cause.” That means they’re no longer “at will” employees who can be fired for no reason.

Madelyn Elder, President of CWA Local 7901, said having a union contract brings KBOO into accord with its stated values. In its charter, KBOO lists values of “peace, justice, democracy, human rights, multiculturalism, environmentalism, freedom of expression, and social change.”

This article was excerpted from the NW Labor Press

Thanks to all our volunteers and members who helped us win this contract!
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