CWA Members Back on the Air at KPFA

CWA Local 9415 members in Berkeley, Calif., who work for radio station KPFA, marched back to work in late July after being locked out for more than three weeks by Pacifica Foundation, the network which owns KPFA and four other stations.

Some 10,000 people marched with them, demonstrating the broad community coalition that came together to oppose the Pacifica Foundation's takeover of the station, which has been a forum for free speech and an independent voice reaching throughout northern California for 50 years.

Throughout the lockout, community supporters held a vigil at "Camp KPFA," outside the station. Area unions were a big part of the protest, organizing a labor "speakout" with representatives from the state AFL-CIO and Bay Area unions pledging to stand with KPFA supporters to regain the station.

KPFA went back on the air with local programming on Aug. 5. After locking out CWA members and other staff, the Pacifica Foundation controlled the property and programming, keeping out staff with hired security guards and substituting old programs for the local community-based programs KPFA is known for.

CWA Local 9415, representing some 20 KPFA workers, is part of the 11-member community coalition working to ensure that independent community radio continues in Berkeley.

The Pacifica network has been pressing for radical changes at KPFA, including new "mainstream" programming which many fear is a shift toward commercialization of the community-oriented station. Despite its reputation for progressive politics, Pacifica has resorted to firings, a lockout of workers, a "gag rule" barring employees from discussing Pacifica on the air, and intimidation by security guards as it seeks to force changes at the station.

The station has been reopened under local control for six months to a year, according to the Pacifica board, but the Berkeley community is determined to keep its local radio and independent voice. While Pacifica's executive director denies it, some foundation members have been discussing the possible sale of the station. The community is fighting back, pressing the board for a commitment not to sell the station and raising concerns about Pacifica's actions that have left the station in poor financial condition.

In a show of support for community radio and members of CWA Local 9415, CWA convention delegates called for action by the Federal Communications Commission to allow communities to develop and control radio stations and programming to meet community needs.