Ocean State Media workers form union with SAG-AFTRA

Staff at Ocean State Media, Rhode Island’s NPR and PBS station, have announced their intention to form a union with SAG-AFTRA. A majority of the unionizing workers — including hosts, reporters, and digital, audio and video producers — signed the petition to unionize.

“The dedicated journalists and media professionals at Ocean State Media are vital storytellers for their communities, and their decision to unionize reflects both a deep belief in their mission and a commitment to shaping a stronger future for public media,” said Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, national executive director and chief negotiator of SAG-AFTRA. “At a time of growing challenges in journalism, organizing is one of the most powerful tools workers have to safeguard the essential role public media plays in our democracy. We’re proud to stand with them in that effort.”

Ocean State Media was formed following a merger between The Public’s Radio, Rhode Island’s NPR affiliate, and Rhode Island PBS. The combined organization provides news and cultural coverage on the unique stories of Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts. 

“We are proud to create public media every day for, and with, the people of Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts,” the organizing committee said. “We believe that in order to sustainably and effectively serve that mission, the voices of staff need to be represented in our organization's decision-making.” 

In their petition, which was delivered to Ocean State Media’s management on May 4, the employees wrote, “At a time of unprecedented challenges for public media and journalism in general, we seek a more active role in decision-making about the organization and the future of our work.”

“We approach this process in a spirit of collaboration and professionalism, hoping we can work together to ensure OSM is always a place where people are excited to build a great career in journalism and broadcasting,” they wrote. “We truly believe in the mission of Ocean State Media, and our goal is the realization of our organization’s ideals.”

Ocean State Media joins public media outlets nationwide in unionizing with SAG-AFTRA. NPR, PBS NewsHour and member stations WBUR (Boston), PBS NewsHour (Washington, D.C.), WHYY (Philadelphia), NHPR (New Hampshire), Texas Public Radio (San Antonio, TX) and Northwest Public Broadcasting (Washington State) are just some of the public media outlets unionized with the union.

“Rhode Island has a proud tradition of unions standing up and delivering for workers,” the organizing committee added. “We firmly believe that organizing is the most powerful way to protect workers and strengthen our organization.”

About SAG-AFTRA:

SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. A proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA has national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide representing members working together to secure the strongest protections for entertainment and media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at SAGAFTRA.org.