Union members gathered on the set of “Almanac” before a June broadcast included (L to R) Joe Kaczynski, Kai Holm, Scott Trotman, Eric Pagel, Michael Phillips, Annika Johnson, Jon Van Amber, Jim Kron and David Bales.
Every Friday night, the Twin Cities PBS studios in St. Paul’s Lowertown district come to life for a live broadcast of “Almanac.” The award-winning public affairs show runs on PBS stations across Minnesota, and union members have been working behind the scenes since it went on the air nearly 40 years ago.
Around 35 members of the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians (NABET/CWA) Local 57411 work at Twin Cities PBS as camera operators, videographers, directors, graphic designers, studio designers, tele-prompter operators and other roles.
The union has had a contract with the station for over 45 years. “Almanac” is its flagship production, but NABET/ CWA members also help produce membership pledge programming, original documentaries, seasonal broadcasts and other specials.
And a new, three-year contract approved earlier this month ensures union members will continue making television for the station. Local 57411 Steward Jon Van Amber said having a union contract ensures stability and professionalism at a time when many broadcasters are looking to increase automation in their productions.
“A lot of places have the robotic cameras now,” Van Amber said during a tour of the “Almanac” set before a broadcast earlier this year. “We’re really proud, from the union point of view, that we have a live crew. You get a lot more energy, and I know the talent really likes it.”
That much becomes clear during a rundown before the live show, as crew members and longtime co-hosts Eric Eskola and Cathy Wurzer walk through the “Almanac” segments – without guests – to nail down their timing and block out the staging.
Camera operator Mike Phillips films “Almanac” co-host Eric Eskola’s opening segment.
Crew members offer their feedback as Eskola workshops a snappy, stand-up opening, improvising his way through several versions before finally settling on the one he will use.
The intensity ramps up on set as the theme music plays and the broadcast begins. In three control rooms behind the scenes, NABET/CWA members provide direction to the camera operators, run the show’s graphics, roll out the closed captioning and more. Members of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 292, meanwhile, operate the sound booth, roll pre-recorded segments and tape the broadcast for streaming on the web.
Local 57411 member Scott Trotman, who started working at Twin Cities PBS in 1996 and is now director and technical director of “Almanac,” said he still gets a few butterflies before every live show.
“If you’re not getting that, you’re probably not going to be at the top of your game,” Trotman said. “You have to be a little on edge to have your senses heightened, and that way you’re ready to do what you need to do if something goes wrong. You’ve got to be ready to react.”
Back on set, camera operators glide across the floor between segments without making a sound. Longtime Floor Director David Bales gets guests mic’d up and into position for interviews while also moving furniture around the set, holding up time cards to keep the segments on schedule and relaying directions from the control room.
For all the intensity of a live show, the “Almanac” set also maintains a sense of ease that stems from the familiarity among talent and crew.
NABET-CWA members work in the “Almanac” control room.
“I like working a live show because you can only do it once, but when you’ve been doing it for so many years like I have, I could do it in my sleep,” camera operator Mike Phillips laughed. “Sometimes I probably have.”
Most NABET/CWA members who work at Twin Cities PBS are part-time employees, giving the station a deep pool of talent to tap for special programs and its pledge drive.
The union’s new contract makes gains on two key issues: staffing and wages. After merging four positions into two during the pandemic – to keep from crowding the control room – the station agreed to bring back all four positions: director, technical director, chyron operator and teleprompter operator.
Union members also won raises of 5% in the new contract’s first year, 3.75% in the second and 3% in the third. Local 57411 President Joe Kaczynski, a photojournalist at WCCO-TV, said that by the union’s calculations, the wage increases should make up for what members lost to COVID cuts and inflation.
“Since they’ve returned to regular production at that station, it sounds like the workload has just been crazy,” he said. “So these negotiations were really beneficial. It’s a good deal.”
– Michael Moore, Union Advocate editor
Union Advocate 