SAG-AFTRA
 

Senior Director / Labor Counsel
(News & Broadcast)

Based in Los Angeles, CA

 

Who We Are
SAG-AFTRA is the iconic American labor union that represents approximately 160,000 media professionals. SAG-AFTRA employees support our members and thrive on securing the strongest protections by negotiating the best wages, working conditions, health and pension benefits. We preserve and expand members’ work opportunities, vigorously enforce our contracts and protect our members against unauthorized use of their work.

What You’ll Do

• Under the direction of the National Director News & Broadcast (LA) and the Chief Broadcast Officer, the Senior Director/Labor Counsel, News & Broadcast will be responsible for the negotiation and administration of collective bargaining agreements for radio and television stations in the Los Angeles and San Diego area, as well as member outreach, and internal /external organizing for broadcast stations in the same geographical area. This position may also assist with broadcast representation in other regions on an as needed basis.
• (This section provides a general summary of the most significant job duties performed. It does not explain in detail every single duty performed.)
• Administer, enforce and negotiate broadcast contracts for television and radio stations.
• Perform station visits at SAG-AFTRA radio and television stations.
• Handle grievances and arbitrations related to assigned broadcast contracts and/or assist with the same.
• Handle station related work and all proceedings with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), including filing and pursuing unfair labor charges, representational filings, and proceedings.
• Interview, hire, supervise and develop Broadcast Business Representatives, and other support staff as assigned.
• Responsible for coordinating with National Director, News & Broadcast with respect to all representational and associated legal work before the NLRB.
• Prepare legal opinions and documents that interpret applicable laws, rulings (arbitration and other), the SAG-AFTRA constitution and contracts, and various regulations related to applicable laws, in relation to News & Broadcast matters and as assigned
• Conduct legal and factual research.
• Collaborate in the handling of arbitration matters (both simple and complex), concerning News & Broadcast-related grievances.
• Assist in the representation of SAG-AFTRA state and federal court as well as administrative proceedings, regarding litigation brought by or against SAG-AFTRA.
• Represent SAG-AFTRA as directed in collective bargaining and/or dispute resolution with local or internal staff unions.
• Address membership related issues (new member packet preparation and processing, dues check‐off implementation and monitoring, enforcing union security, facilitating address changes, etc.) and functions as a point person for the station regarding new membership and terminations.
• Review and identify issues in Personal Services Contracts.
• Conduct meetings with bargaining units before, during, after and negotiations.
• Draft proposals and process documentation for negotiations to include, sending reopeners, keeping notes, and sending membership meeting notices.
• Consult with Chief Broadcast Officer, News & Broadcast, National Director, N&B, LA, national broadcast staff and local staff representatives on particular issues and strategy, union proposals, and responses to employer proposals.
• Assess issues for potential increased member involvement.
• Work with Broadcast staff and National Organizing and to create and implement and facilitate internal and external organizing initiatives and directives, comprehensive strategies, initiatives and procedures that build, activate and best serve the representational needs of SAG-AFTRA New York broadcast members.
• Identify, recruit, and train shop stewards and other activists.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with the various stakeholders; e.g., SAG-AFTRA members and staff, member representatives, news and sports directors, station managers, program directors, producers, entertainment unions and other organizations.
• Work with SAG-AFTRA Local Board; work with members of the SAG-AFTRA Broadcast Steering Committee.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

What You’ll Need
We want to make sure you’re successful. To be considered, you must have:

(The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities and be able to explain and demonstrate that he or she can perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.)

• Exceptional written and verbal communications skills.
• Exceptional people skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel
• Strong contract interpretation, negotiation and union organizing skills.
• Ability to formulate and implement effective strategies.
• Ability to effectively create positive working relationships with members and other industry stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively within a team/department setting.
• The ability to organize and coordinate multiple tasks under daily deadlines.
• Superlative interpersonal skills: High degree of patience and tact, and must be able to cultivate respectful, strategic, and collaborative relationships with people from diverse backgrounds; both internally and externally.
• Hold yourself and others accountable for a high level of performance and integrity.
• Must be able to work in a challenging environment where constructive feedback from others is encouraged.
• Have an understanding and awareness of worker rights impacting SAG-AFTRA members.
• Must maintain regular and acceptable attendance at such a level as is determined at SAG-AFTRA’s sole discretion.
• Must be available and willing to work extended hours per day or week, including weekends and holidays, as SAG-AFTRA determines is necessary to meet its business needs.
• Must be available and willing to travel to such locations and with such frequency as SAG-AFTRA determines is necessary or desirable to meet its business needs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and/or Experience

• Juris Doctor required.
• Minimum 2 years management/supervisory experience.
• Minimum 5 years collective bargaining, contract administration, grievance and arbitration, NLRB matters, interpretation and labor relations experience.
• 3-5 years of work experience in an entertainment, broadcast, and union environment preferred.

Certificates, licenses, and/or registrations:

• Bar admission - California preferred.
• Must have an automobile, current driver’s license and current automobile insurance that meets the state minimum requirements.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT/WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Unless otherwise stated, the work environment is normal and absent of disagreeable elements.

(Please note: do not alter the percentages, instead apply physical description to appropriate percentage)

• Regularly (67-100%) Driving, walking, seeing, hearing, talking, writing
• Frequently (34-66%) Typing, standing, sitting
• Occasionally (12-33%) Bending
• Rarely (0-11%) Lifting

What You’ll Get
We are a great place to work because we offer:

• The salary range for this position is $125,000 – $125,000 annually along with excellent employee benefits and perks such as a 35-hour work week.
• Colleagues that are passionate about what we do and how they contribute to our mission
• Balance between work and home life responsibilities
• Affordable and comprehensive medical and dental plans
• Generous pension plan
• Employee discounts and perks

Apply HERE!