NPR, Union Reach Tentative Deal

NPR and the SAG-AFTRA labor union reached a tentative late-night deal and avoided a worker walkout, CNN reported Sunday.  

NPR workers said they were ready to strike if a new contract couldn't be hammered out, meaning 433 of 800 workers employed by the media organization would have gone on strike. The contract had been extended a number of times, most recently until midnight Saturday. The union said the agreement was reached at 12:08 a.m. ET Sunday.

The union told CNN the contract, which covers the next three years, "provides for salary increases" and "effectively repelled" a proposed two-tier salary system that would have resulted in new hires earning less than veteran staffers.

NPR, a nonprofit with more than 980 member stations across various cities, said the deal was "forward-looking."

SAG-AFTRA said the contract talks came at a time of record ratings, financial stability and successful product development for NPR. The union has represented NPR producers and on-air journalists for about 40 years. 

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