OPB - KMHD Creators Union
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opbkmhdcreators.bsky.social
OPB - KMHD Creators Union
@opbkmhdcreators.bsky.social
We are the creators who make Oregon Public Broadcasting and KMHD Jazz Radio and we're bargaining for our first union contract.
Pinned
One issue in our first contract negotiation is compensation. OPB hasn't given us a proposal that addresses our concerns. Many of us struggle to make ends meet. Our current pay doesn't help alleviate the challenges we face. In the coming weeks, we’ll share more about the struggle our creators face.
@bradleywparks.bsky.social is another one of our amazing unit members. He brings you The OPB First Look newsletter every day, does a ton of work behind the scenes, and is a general badass.
A judge rules the Coast Guard must return a rescue helicopter to Newport. The pipeline providing most of the Pacific Northwest's fuel is still shut down. Billups pleads not guilty. Blazers win. Here's what we're following on @opb.org today: www.opb.org/article/2025...
OPB’s First Look: Newport chopper update, plus a pipeline problem
A federal judge has ruled the U.S. Coast Guard must return a rescue helicopter to Newport. Here's your First Look at Tuesday's news.
www.opb.org
November 25, 2025 at 8:22 PM
@leahsottile.bsky.social is another talented member of our unit. She's an investigative journalist, author, and the co-creator of OPB's new series, "Hush."

Listen now at OPB.org/hush
Why was 18-year-old Sarah Zuber found dead 400 feet from her front door? And how is it possible, six years later, that no one knows what happened to her?

Hush, Season 2, "Love Thy Neighbor" — my investigation with @ryanjhaas.bsky.social — starts today.

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
November 20, 2025 at 5:10 AM
Monica Samayoa shares her story for our “what our audience doesn’t know” series.

"Even after working long hours at OPB, I have spent countless weekends working a second job to make ends meet."

-Monica Samayoa, OPB reporter/producer
November 19, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Jenn is another one of our incredibly talented unit members. She is the host of The Evergreen podcast and brings us this latest episode.
Today on @opb.org's The Evergreen:
You probably know a Rothko when you see it: abstract, colorful, rectangular. You might *not* know that Mark Rothko grew up in Portland & went to Lincoln HS — and now, he’s the namesake of a new wing of @portlandartmuseum.bsky.social.
From Malya Fass + Eric Slade:
‘The Evergreen’: Celebrating artist and Portlander Mark Rothko
Mark Rothko is known for his colorful abstract paintings of stacked rectangles with billowy borders and layered textures. His art has been auctioned for up to $186 million. His first ever solo exhibit...
www.opb.org
November 19, 2025 at 3:52 AM
@franciscabenitez.bsky.social shares for our "what our audience doesn't know" series.

"The journalists I work with make sacrifices to do this. Many, especially at struggling outlets in the PNW, eventually leave for a job that pays more and is less intense”
—Francisca Benitez
OPB digital producer
November 18, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Reposted by OPB - KMHD Creators Union
Any time someone at work asks me if I'm going home for the holidays, I take great pride in asking them how I can afford to fly to Texas with the little OPB pays me.

Cc: @opbkmhdcreators.bsky.social
November 16, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Donald Orr @notdonald.bsky.social shares his story for our “what our audience doesn’t know” series.

"My hope is that OPB comes to the table with a contract that compensates workers with livable wages, and allows our colleagues to have more financial stability"
-Donald Orr, OPB announcer/producer
November 13, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Incredible work from OPB-KMHD Creators Union member @lmiller12.bsky.social.
opb.org OPB @opb.org · 20d
It began with a simple idea: Follow a group of Oregon students from kindergarten to graduation. Today, OPB's 13-year project culminates in the release of a documentary, "Class of 2025: Growing Up In Oregon Schools," telling the story of a group of those students.
Class of 2025: Growing up in Oregon schools
OPB's hourlong documentary, Class of 2025: Growing Up In Oregon Schools, tells the story of 7 students as they move through the state's public education system.
www.opb.org
November 8, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Meg Samples-Morrow shares her story for our “what our audience doesn’t know” series.

"The people bringing you jazz around the clock are struggling to make ends meet ourselves."
-Meg Samples-Morrow, KMHD host/producer @megsamples.bsky.social

Continue reading ⬇️
November 6, 2025 at 7:14 PM
This is great news.

But don't let it get lost that the staff that make up The OPB-KMHD Creators Union are the ones who go on the air multiple times a year to ask for that financial support. #unionstrong
opb.org OPB @opb.org · 22d
OPB has closed this year’s $5 million budget gap created when Congress ended federal funding. Our work is not done. A strong future for free and fair journalism requires your support.
https://www.opb.org/pressroom/presidents-update-funding-cut-update-building-trust/ 
November 6, 2025 at 5:17 PM
@lisaeffinwood.bsky.social shares her story for our "what our audience doesn't know" series.

"I don't want to have to choose between the job I love and financial stability. I want to work at OPB, sustainably, for the long term." - Lisa Wood, OPB Announcer/Programming Coordinator

Continue reading ⬇️
November 5, 2025 at 7:27 PM
This is such a unique and interesting story from OPB-KMHD Content Creator @joniaudenland.bsky.social.

These are the stories you will usually only hear on OPB.
opb.org OPB @opb.org · 25d
Hundreds of singers gathered recently for the 34th Pacific Northwest Sacred Harp Singing Convention. They’re performing one of the oldest styles of American folk music, called shape note singing.
‘It’s just so intense’: Portland convention celebrates haunting art of shape note singing
Sacred Harp singers say they build community by singing 19th-century songs about death and the afterlife.
www.opb.org
November 4, 2025 at 11:22 PM
One issue in our first contract negotiation is compensation. OPB hasn't given us a proposal that addresses our concerns. Many of us struggle to make ends meet. Our current pay doesn't help alleviate the challenges we face. In the coming weeks, we’ll share more about the struggle our creators face.
November 4, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Great reporting here from Creators Union member Tiffany Camhi. She follows all things education in Oregon and you can find more of her reporting at OPB.org.
October 26, 2025 at 6:02 PM
@alexzee.bsky.social is one of our talented unit members. She reports on Portland city politics and here, brings us the latest on Mayor Wilson's shelter plan.

She's a critical part of the OPB newsroom, give her a follow!
Mayors Wilson’s overnight shelters have a remarkable vacancy rate — some up to 80% empty on average night.

He says that’s a positive.

“I’ve told my team I need hundreds of empty beds every night.”

That’s because it will allow him to start enforcing the city’s public camping ban next month.
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson announces plans to open addiction recovery shelter beds
The beds will open as the mayor plans to begin enforcing the city’s camping ban.
www.opb.org
October 24, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Meet Kami Horton

She's been with OPB for 20+ years and has produced for OPB's series "Oregon Experience" since 2006. She finds meaning in researching and telling the often overlooked stories of our state. Kami says "I love what I do, and I know that is true of many of OPB's dedicated employees."
October 20, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Tuesday, we attended the OPB Board of Directors meeting in solidarity.

We sent a letter to the board asking them to invest in us, the creators of the content our communities rely on. We haven't received a response. Read the letter here.

We are determined to get the contract we deserve!
October 16, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Meet Bryson Wallace
@brysonwallace12.bsky.social

An artist from Bakersfield, CA, and vinyl Dj for 20 years now in Portland. He's the radio host of Positive Vibrations on KMHD in addition to Videography, Editing, Social Media for the station and a community catalyst through sound and visuals.
October 16, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Reposted by OPB - KMHD Creators Union
I am very, very, very proud to be in a union with my hardworking colleagues at OPB & KMHD. Follow for updates & good vibes 😊
Hello BlueSky!

We’ve been bargaining our first contract for 16 months now. While we’ve made significant progress, we still remain far apart with management on important issues. Drop a comment with support and encouragement as we continue towards the contract we deserve!
October 16, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Meet Crystal Ligori
@cligori.bsky.social

Co-host of OPB’s ‘All Things Considered’ and narrator for the Emmy-winning video series, Superabundant.'

Crystal was a nosy youth, so it made sense she became a journalist. She’s a bit of a coffee snob, loves karaoke and is a fan of a good sweet treat.
October 15, 2025 at 9:41 PM
A union is only as strong as its members, and we’re grateful to have some incredible ones. 💪
October 15, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Meet Anthony Dean-Harris
@anthonydeanharris.com

A a radio host and music journalist from San Antonio, TX with over 15 years of experience.

He produces and hosts the afternoon weekday radio show, A Smooth Ride, at KMHD, oversees its website, and creates & edits content for the web & social media.
October 15, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Meet Elizabeth Miller, an OPB education reporter @lmiller12.bsky.social

"I produce stories for radio, online, and video -including a documentary coming out about the Class of 2025,I love getting to talk to young people and sharing their stories with our audience."

Liz is from Columbus, Ohio.
October 15, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Hello BlueSky!

We’ve been bargaining our first contract for 16 months now. While we’ve made significant progress, we still remain far apart with management on important issues. Drop a comment with support and encouragement as we continue towards the contract we deserve!
October 15, 2025 at 9:00 PM