Media Union Recognizes Sen. Stack as 'Friend of Aftra'

Sen. Mike Stack (center) receives the “Friend of AFTRA” award. With him, from left to right, are Catherine Brown, president of AFTRA Philadelphia; Stephen Leshinski, executive director of AFTRA Philadelphia; Tim Lake, NBC10 broadcast anchor; and Chuck Varesko, VP for Freelance of AFTRA Philadelphia.

PHILADLEPHIA, MAY 20, 2010 — State Sen. Mike Stack was honored as a “Friend of AFTRA” by the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists during a May 13 ceremony in Philadelphia.

The senator was recognized for his efforts to protect broadcasters who change jobs in the same media market.

Stack authored the Broadcast Employment Free Market Act (Senate Bill 1141), which would make it unlawful for a broadcast industry employer to use non-compete contract clauses against a former employee. The bill is currently in the Senate Labor and Industry Committee.

“Like any other profession, television and radio workers should be able to seek work at competing stations when they are terminated through no fault of their own,” Stack said. “Philadelphia is a huge media market, and it’s not uncommon for TV and radio broadcasters to move from one station to another. There are a lot of opportunities for media personalities in this region, so it’s important that they have the right to seek employment without the threat of a non-compete clause held over their heads.”

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