Fox Yanks County Workers’ Union TV Spot

The local Fox television affiliate pulled a paid advertisement by a large county workers’ union Thursday, saying the union needed to prove the ad’s assertion that many members do not earn “decent wages.�

The surprising move by KTTV (Channel 11) came hours after the launch of a $750,000 radio and television ad campaign by the Service Employees International Union, Local 660, which represents 47,000 librarians, social workers, nurses and other county workers.

David Boylan, KTTV general manager, said the station does not discuss advertising decisions with third parties. “If we accept or reject an ad, it’s between us and that advertiser,� he said.

Other stations have continued to air the 30- and 60-second spots, which contrast the services county workers provide with the lifestyles their wages support: a librarian who can’t send his child to college; a social worker who can’t afford to buy a home.

The ad ends with the line, “Despite a booming economy, the Board of Supervisors refuses to pay these everyday heroes a decent wage.�

Union spokesman Bart Diener called the station’s request “outrageous,� adding: “It’s not clear to us what would constitute proof of a decent wage.� A salary study commissioned by the local last spring showed compensation of county workers in Los Angeles ran about 10% to 15% lower than other counties and public entities in the state. About 60% of the local’s members earn less than $32,000 a year, he said.

Diener said about 100 union members planned to go to the station in West Los Angeles at noon today to turn over their own paycheck stubs.

Local 660’s contract expires at the end of the month. The union has threatened to strike Oct. 1 if the county does not improve its offer of a 3%-per-year wage increase. The ad campaign, which was approved by members before a strike authorization vote last month, was intended to introduce county workers to the public and build sympathy for the union.

Diener said polling by the union has shown that many people hold public employees in low regard or do not have a clear idea of what they do.

“There’s a negative stereotype out there of people in cushy jobs, without much accountability,� he said.