The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) has had a strong relationship with its national broadcasting partners for decades.  So, when PGA Tour Entertainment Employees went looking for a Union, they had a good idea where to turn.

In December, they voted by more than 70% to accept IBEW representation following a year-long organizing campaign by the Broadcasting and Membership Development Departments.

Contract negotiations begin soon and will add about 350 Members to the IBEW when finished, IBEW Broadcasting International Representative Neil Ambrosio said.

"We know how to administer large agreements," Ambrosio said. "We know how to administer national agreements.  We know how to build long-standing relationships with employers."

The Tour Employees "think they need a seat at the table, and they think we're the best people to sit beside them and improve things," he added.

The IBEW represents Technicians at CBS and has had a professional relationship with it since 1939, when it was a radio company.

The network has been the lead broadcaster of the PGA Tour for most of the last 52 years.

PGA Tour Entertainment is responsible for all in-house production for the tour.

It has a handful of Full-Time Employees, but like the major networks, it relies on Freelancers based all over the country, particularly when it is working a live event.

It took on added responsibilities in 2022, the first year of a contract between the PGA and Disney that offered supplementary coverage of 28 tour events on ESPN+, the streaming service of Disney-owned ESPN.

To Continue Reading This Organizing Labor News Story, Go To: GA Tour Entertainment Employees Choose IBEW, Long History of Excellence