WHDH and the local chapter of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists were locked in difficult contract talks for more than two years. Talks fell apart partly over the sensitive issue of alleged age discrimination at WHDH’s parent company, Sunbeam Television of Miami, and the compensation anchors and reporters receive for on-air appearances. Union officials said that WHDH personalities could lose 25 to 50 percent of their compensation as their individual contracts come up for renewal.
In April, Chris Wayland, WHDH’s vice president, said the sides had a reached an impasse, and denied any age discrimination at the company.
“After meeting with AFTRA more than 50 times in a period spanning two and a half years, WHDH and AFTRA are at impasse,’’ Wayland said in a statement yesterday.
Tom Higgins, executive director of AFTRA in Boston, said, “We are sorry that the station chose not to come back to the table and resolve these issues.’’
The free event will feature doctors and staff from Partners HealthCare and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Among the celebrities scheduled to attend are Bruins player Shawn Thornton and former New England Patriots player Tedy Bruschi.
