FAIR PAY FOR THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE NEWS, KATU2 IATSE Local 600 Members in Portland

Chris Ripley, CEO of Sinclair and the Executive Board Members of Sinclair

Please note that this petition is open to both IATSE Local 600 members and non-member allies. Every signature counts. Thank you.

We are IATSE Union KATU2 Editors and Photojournalists. Every day, our work begins long before a story reaches the screen--and often continues long after it airs. Photojournalists can be put in harm's way while editors work behind the scenes under constant deadlines and pressure.

Photojournalists are sent into the most dangerous situations in our community where the presence of a cameras can invoke hostility and aggression. Editors, carry the weight of shaping these moments, reliving the trauma and meeting deadlines, often without any recognition. No one should need security or be pushed to exhaustion, to do their job.

Still, we show up. We do this because we believe in our responsibility to our community. This work matters, and we are proud to do it.

But pride does not pay the bills. KATU2 Union Editors and Photojournalists deserve a living wage.

Please stand with us to reach a fair agreement.

To: Chris Ripley, CEO of Sinclair and the Executive Board Members of Sinclair
From: [Your Name]

IATSE Local 600 represented KATU Editors and Photojournalists are asking for a fair contract and a fair wage.

Most KATU2 editors and photojournalists are not paid enough to support themselves and their families and live in the city that they report on, some are collecting cans, and most go without basic needs being met.

Sinclair recently offered the experienced union members a one percent wage increase.

The CEO of KATU2 parent company, Sinclair, Chris Ripley received an over 40 percent (40%) increase to his compensation in 2024, and the Company made $405 million dollars in political ads alone in 2024.

"This performance underscores the continued dominance of broadcast TV as the leading platform for advertisers to reach broad audiences,” said Chris Ripley, Sinclair’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

The CEO of Sinclair makes over ten million dollars $10,000,000.00 per year and around 179 times the average Sinclair Company employee (179:1).

Please stand with us and tell Sinclair to bargain a fair contract.