On-air hosts, sound engineers, and other staff at All Classical Radio authorized a strike in a 12-1 vote on June 24.
Broadcast at 89.9 FM, All Classical Radio is a non-commercial Portland radio station also known as KQAC. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 48 represents 16 of its staff members.
In current bargaining over a new contract, management is proposing to decrease how much the organization pays for health insurance for employees’ spouses and children, making workers cover more of the costs. Local 48 proposes to maintain health benefits.
Local 48 is also proposing a 5.9% raise in 2025, and the nonprofit is offering a 2.9% raise. Raises in the second and third years would likely be based on inflation, though details like minimum and maximums haven’t been settled yet.
On-air hosts make up to $35.12 per hour, while other represented positions vary from around $20 to $27 per hour, said IBEW Local 48 business representative Mark Hinkle.
Under the health benefit changes proposed by management, some workers could see their annual healthcare costs increase by $10,000, Hinkle said.
The station proposed two options, both of which would increase healthcare costs. Workers voted on those proposals on June 27, rejecting one option 12–0 and the other option 10-2.
Including the 16 unionized workers, the nonprofit station has 24 employees.
Hinkle said wages for unionized workers haven’t kept up with inflation in recent years, while the CEO has seen a substantial pay increase. CEO Suzanne Nance earned more than $308,000 in 2023. All Classical Radio announced June 30 that Nance will leave her role this year after a decade leading the radio station.
As of press time, the union hadn’t set a strike date.
