A recent report highlights concerns over working conditions and pay at Nexstar Media Group, the country’s largest broadcaster. The report, titled “Breaking the Story: The Real Cost of Low Wages at America’s Largest Broadcaster,” is based on a survey of Nexstar employees and an analysis of labor market data conducted by the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians–Communications Workers of America (NABET-CWA).
According to the findings, Nexstar pays its workers 22% less than the median wage for similar roles in the industry. Many employees reported having to skip breaks and work in understaffed departments.
“When I started at my TV station over 30 years ago, I was under the belief that loyalty would be rewarded,” said Bob Pastecki, WROC. “I have found out that people that start out doing the same job I do at another union station in town have an hourly rate that starts $3.56 more per hour than I make after 30 years at my workplace. That’s more than $7,400 per year that would help me take care of my family.”
Despite these issues, Nexstar remains profitable and continues to pursue growth through acquisitions. The company is currently lobbying to eliminate federal limits on how many local broadcast stations one company can own.
NABET-CWA filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) opposing changes to these ownership rules. The union argued that further consolidation could worsen conditions for broadcast workers who already face low wages and financial insecurity.
Survey results from NABET-CWA show:
– 62% of Nexstar workers earn less than a living wage for their metro area as a single person without children.
– 89% earn less than a living wage for their metro area as a single person with one child.
– 63% rely on family, friends, or public assistance.
– 87% worry about meeting financial obligations sometimes or often.
– More than half delay necessary medical care or grocery purchases due to low pay.
Workers at several Nexstar stations in Rochester (New York), Denver (Colorado), Henderson (Kentucky), and one production hub in Denver have recently formed unions with NABET-CWA. They join employees at thirty-five other bargaining units within Nexstar.
“I personally wanted to organize because of the fact that my coworkers were hurting. Hurting mentally, emotionally, physically & financially,” said Brody Shaffer, WEHT. “Before I was fired for exercising my protected rights & freedom of speech, what I enjoyed about my job was not just the work of creating commercials—I truly enjoyed the team I worked with. I loved so many things about my job. But the thing that’s really hard to replace is the people you did the work with.”
NABET-CWA has called on Nexstar to negotiate fair contracts providing livable wages and urged Congress not to weaken existing standards for broadcast ownership. The union also asked the FCC not to change current rules limiting media consolidation.
The Communications Workers of America represents employees across various industries including telecommunications, media, health care, public service and education; NABET-CWA specifically represents over 10,000 broadcasting professionals.
