After two years of negotiations, WHDH and AFTRA, the union that represents the on-air talent at the Boston NBC-affiliate, have reached a contract agreement.
The Boston Globe reports that the final contract is a three-year deal that will eliminate fees paid to anchors and reporters for on-air appearances — which was a sticking point in the ongoing battle — in exchange for a two percent increase in their base salaries.
Tom Higgins, executive director of AFTRA’s Boston chapter, said it was a “very difficult and protracted negotiation, particularly over the issue of fees.” The national and local AFTRA board approved the new contracts last Wednesday.
AFTRA represents 30 on-air personalities at WHDH. An agreement was not reached on the issue of age discrimination at the station, which was the other major issue in the negotiations.