On April 3, 1953, NABET signed its first contract with Channel 10, then KFSD-TV. Our members spent months installing and testing the equipment that would put the station on the air. On September 13, 1953, Channel 10 signed on for the first time as an NBC affiliate. We have represented its crew ever since.
NABET-CWA represents employees across the telecommunications, broadcasting, and cable industries. Local 54 has represented the employees of KGTV San Diego since the station signed on in September of 1953.
Today that includes Channel 10's Engineers, Technicians, Directors, Assistant Directors, Technical Directors, Media Managers, Creative Services Producers, Videographer-Editors, Design Director, and Graphic Designers. We are a group of highly specialized professional workers.
NABET-CWA strives primarily to give its members a sense of pride in their work and dignity in their workplace.
Our efforts are directed at steadily improving our status through the achievement of better working conditions and higher wages. NABET-CWA represents employees at ABC, NBC, and over 100 private radio, television, film, and video companies.
Before NABET-CWA, broadcast employees worked split shifts. There was no pay or time off for holidays. There was no overtime pay. Here is what has been achieved since.
The first contract
On April 3, 1953, NABET signed its first contract with KFSD-TV. Top scale was $135 a week, and our members began installing and testing the equipment that would put the station on the air.
Channel 10 signs on
On September 13, 1953, Channel 10 broadcast for the first time as an NBC affiliate, from the original studio at 3642 Enterprise Street.
Broadcast City
The station moved into the million-dollar Broadcast City — a state-of-the-art facility with three studios that remains Channel 10's home today.
The first videotape machine
Engineer Dick Bailey and Chief Engineer LeRoy Bellwood inspect KFSD-TV's first VTR. The RCA TRT-1 filled six full equipment racks.
The Johnny Downs Show
One of the most popular local programs of its era, drawing long waiting lists of kids to the live afternoon broadcast.
The Regis Philbin Show
Before national fame, Regis Philbin honed his signature "host chat" live from Channel 10's Studio 1.
10News arrives
A newly built newsroom launched the "10News" brand — and the set stayed in use for the next twenty-five years.
A President on set
Crew member Vince Bumanglag adjusts President Clinton's mic before a town hall meeting at the KGTV studios.
In Master Control
Frank Castillo, Derrecke Thompson, and Robert Buchanan in the control room.
Solidarity
Local 54 members stand up for UFCW grocery workers — Robert Buchanan, Frank Castillo, and Joshua Case.
A new era with Scripps
Members celebrate the local's first contract under new owner E.W. Scripps.
A record contract
Local 54 reaches a new agreement in just two days — a record — with Robert Buchanan, Dennis Csillag, Tony Velez, Frank Castillo Jr., and staff representative Ron Gabalski.
Father and son
VP Robert Buchanan welcomes the local's newest member, Robert Buchanan Jr. — the first time a father and son are both Local 54 members at the same time.
NABET-CWA is part of the Communications Workers of America. CWA is "The Union for the Information Age," representing 700,000 workers across communications, media, airlines, manufacturing, and public service.
What's a union? It's simple, really. Unions are working people standing together. When workers have a union, they have a voice on the job. Working together, they negotiate good wages and working conditions so they can provide a better life for their families.
Union members have higher wages, greater job stability, retirement security, and access to quality healthcare for their families. It is no wonder that 57 million Americans who are not union members say they want to be part of one.
