iHeart, SAG-AFTRA Make Nice In Boston

• Looks like iHeartMedia and SAG-AFTRA have averted an ugly public relations nightmare in Boston — just days before heritage News-Talk WBZ-AM/Boston is set to be formally acquired by iHeartMedia, the company and SAG-AFTRA have reportedly reached a tentative agreement for iHeartMedia to accept the union — a major reversal of last week’s controversial announcement from iHeart that originally stated the company would not honor the two union contracts in place, adding that WBZ employees would have to re-apply for their current positions.

As the Boston Herald reports, the two sides reached an interim agreement on Wednesday night, smoothing over many of the issues that had threatened to derail the sale. The Herald said, “iHeartMedia’s agreement with the union is a major concession from its initial threats to refuse to honor union contracts and force staffers to reapply for their jobs.” The proposed agreement, obtained by the Herald, reads, in part, “The Employer agrees to recognize the union as the exclusive bargaining representative for all full-time and regular part-time announcers, producers, editors, writers and production assistants employed by WBZ-AM. The Employer agrees to offer employment to all current union represented employees of WBZ-AM who are listed on the attached exhibit at their current salary or hourly rate of pay.”

SAG-AFTRA released a statement that read, “SAG-AFTRA is pleased to have reached a tentative agreement with iHeart for an interim agreement covering WBZ-AM. SAG-AFTRA members and iHeart management representatives worked hard for this resolution, and we look forward to a good partnership for this New England institution. The tentative agreement will be presented to the full bargaining unit for a ratification vote.”

For its part, iHeartMedia issued its own positive statement that read, “We are very pleased to have reached this agreement with SAG-AFTRA, and we’re looking forward to adding this iconic Boston station, and the talented, dedicated and respected WBZ team, to the iHeartMedia family.”