Resolution In Support Of Free Speech & Community Control Of KPFA Radio

WHEREAS, KPFA has consistently covered Bay Area labor activities such as picket line, marches and demonstrations;

And Whereas, KPFA has always provided air time for labor spokespersons on labor issues such as NAFTA, downsizing, exporting US jobs to low wage countries, child labor, health and safety, living wage ordinances and the effects of the new global market on wages and working conditions;

And Whereas, KPFA has consistently covered issues important to working families such as as health care reform, affordable housing, the educational crisis and affordable child care,

And Whereas, Pacifica's decision on Tuesday July 12th , 1999 to cancel all scheduled programs and put all staff on administrative leave, has deprived labor of an essential means of communicating our issues;

And Whereas, Pacifica fired Larry Bensky, a thirty year employee, and Robbie Osman, a volunteer programmer for Pacifica for seventeen years, for engaging in their free speech rights to educate the public on the dispute between the Pacifica Foundation and KPFA staff and KPFA community;

And Whereas, Pacfica Foundation recently ruled that local Advisory Board members could not be on the Pacifica National Board thereby depriving the KPFA community of representation;

And Whereas, Pacifica Foundation Board members have been considering the possible sale of KPFA to private entities which would thereby deprive the Bay Area of its only community supported non-profit progressive radio station;

Be it resolved that the Central Labor Council of Alameda County, AFL-CIO representing sixty eight thousand AFL-CIO workers and their families demands that Pacifica;

1. Immediately re-hire Larry Bensky, Robbie Osman and Nicole Sawaya

2. Immediately restore normal programming and recall all staff on administrative leave

3. Rescind their decision to prohibit local advisory Board members from serving on the Pacifica National Board

4. Drop all charges against staff and community members arrested fro peaceful and non-violent protests against Pacifica's actions

5. Agree to submit all issues to a mediator mutually agreeable to the KPFA staff, KPFA community and Pacifica

Be it further resolved that the Central Labor Council of Alameda County, AFL-CIO;

1. Contact our elected officials and ask them to investigate the actions of the Pacifica National Board

2. Form a Central Labor Council of Alameda County Support KPFA Committee to be chaired by a representative from CWA Local 9415 to plan labor activities to support KPFA staff and community in their struggle to maintain free speech and community control of KPFA

3. Support and endorse KPFA mobilization activities including July 24, 1999 Labor Support rally from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM in front of KPFA (Martin Luther King and University in Berkeley) and the July 31, Community Support Rally and ask affiliates to make every effort to be well-represented at these important events

Dorthy Portier President Judith M. Goff Executive Secretary 7992 Capwell Drive Oakland California, 94621 Phone 510-632-4242