Rhode Island PBS Hit for Second Time for Anti-Union Actions

Rhode Island PBS Hit for Second Time for Anti-Union Actions

An arbitrator has ruled against Rhode Island PBS for the public television station’s actions against its union workers.

This is the second time in recent years that RIPBS has been cited for labor violations.

This latest decision orders RIPBS to reinstate the union members who were terminated in actions by the station.

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The arbitrator, Elizabeth Neumeier, found in a 35-page decision that "1) Within seven (7) days of this award the Grievants are to be reinstated to their former positions or, if those positions no longer exist, to substantially equivalent positions, without prejudice to their seniority or any other rights or privileges previously enjoyed. 2) Within fourteen (14) days of this award, the Grievants are to be made whole for any loss of earnings and other benefits, less interim earnings and/or unemployment benefits and plus interest."

“Once again, I will say this. Dave Piccerelli [the former President and CEO] tried to do something to get rid of union stewards and a union supporter, and it didn't work,” said Fletcher Fischer, Business Manager/Financial Secretary IBEW Local 1228 — the union that represents the workers in this and in an earlier action by RIPBS.

Fischer said that when management began its effort to force the union out of RIPBS, there were only 5 or 6 members, and now there are 16 or 17, as more workers have sought protection from the union.

In a separate case, RIPBS was found to have violated workers' rights. In August of  2019, GoLocal reported:

At the time, a three-judge panel of the National Labor Relations Board had ruled that Rhode Island PBS was coercive in its treatment of employees — and tried to break a local union.

The sweeping decision ordered RI PBS — the local public broadcasting station — to cease and desist from “coercively interrogating employees about their un­ion sympathies.” The decision orders RI PBS to fairly negotiate with the Interna­tional Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1228.

“This case represents an organization — management, that has squandered tens of thousands of dollars (probably public contributions) on a plan that was not well thought out or executed.  Whoever is responsible for this should be held accountable for this very poor judgment.  It reeks of anti-union animus,” said attorney Thomas McAndrew at the time of the NLRB decision in 2019.

 

RIPBS Not Talking

GoLocal reached out to RIPBS CEO Pam Johnston for comment about the arbitrator’s decision and she did not respond to requests for comment. 

As GoLocal reported, RIPBS is sitting on more than $100 million — the windfall of selling its frequency in a government-sponsored auction. Johnston previously said she is paid $300,000 a year.

Johnston came to RIPBS in 2024 after four years at GBH in Boston. The end of her tenure in Boston was bumpy as that media company implemented significant layoffs.

"GBH laid off 31 employees on Wednesday and said it would stop production on three television programs immediately, a move that staffers say caught them by surprise," reported Boston.com. "The cuts at GBH are occurring a month after Boston’s other public radio station, WBUR, saw two dozen employees opt for buyouts and two staffers get laid off as the public media organization also works to mitigate revenue declines."

Despite the assets, the station has a small viewership in Rhode Island.

 

Pattern by Public Television Stations in New England

Fischer said that the actions in Rhode Island have also occurred at public television stations in Connecticut and Vermont. “The Connecticut station had 30 people there. Now, they have one full-time person and daily hires,” said Fischer.

He said similar things have taken place at the Vermont PBS affiliate.