(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians-Communications Workers of America (NABET-CWA) Local 25 has announced its 50 Members employed at WKBW-TV/Channel 7 in Buffalo have reached a tentative, four-year agreement on a new contract that calls for an overall wage increase of 9.5%.

The announcement comes on the heels of the Union’s 65-Member Unit employed by the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Buffalo Sabres ratifying a new three-year contract that also features substantial wage increases for Camera Personnel, TV and Video Technicians and those responsible for running the Jumbotron scoreboard at home Sabres’ games.

“Management at both (Channel 7 and at the Sabres) ‘were very good to work with’ (during contract negotiations),” Local 25 President Roy Schrodt told WNYLaborToday.com.

At WKBW-TV, Union-represented On-Air Talent, Technicians and Videographers will receive wage increases of 3% in year one, 2.5% in year two, 1.5% in year three and 2.5% in year four.

Schrodt said the “economics were out of date” in the previous contract and were addressed with the owners of the Buffalo TV Station - the E.W. Scripps Company.

“They were ‘very reasonable,’” Schrodt said.  “Our negotiations ‘were incredibly quick (less than a couple of days), probably the shortest time I have seen spent negotiating a new deal.’  ‘I’m very pleased, both sides came to the table with the intent not trying to hurt each other.’  ‘That’s the best that I could sum things up.’”

There were no changes in both Local 25 Membership’s health care benefits or in their 401k retirement plans, he said.

A ratification vote, which will be held electronically, has been scheduled.

Meanwhile, Local 25 Members who work televised Sabres games ratified their new deal with the Hockey Western New York, LLC - which expires on August 1st, 2025, in late Summer.

Schrodt said those Unit Members who are involved operating the arena’s Jumbotron will see annual wage increases of 5% in each year of the three-year deal.

Those Unit Members involved in the NHL game broadcasts - Camera Operators, TV and Video Technicians, will see annual wage increases of 5% in each year of the three-year contract, he said.

“We’re ‘coming off’ COVID ‘and there’s a lot more (of Local 25’s Members) working now,”’ Schrodt said.  “Plus, with a change in some away games are broadcast with intermission periods, as well as post-game wrap-ups, being broadcast here in Buffalo while the Sabres are on the road, has ‘actually benefitted our Members.’  It’s ‘upped the work’ compared to our COVID days.”