A Change.org petition accuses KIRO-TV management of pushing contract changes that would strip long-standing union employees of crucial bargaining and free speech rights, after negotiations lasting over 18 months. The union, represented by IBEW Local 46, argues that retaining protective language in their contracts is key to securing fair treatment and respect for their decades of service.

The National Labor Relations Board listing for KIRO-TV details the union representation process by the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) for full-time and regular part-time producers at the Seattle facility, highlighting the company’s engagement with established labor practices.

Cox Media Group announced it may sell KIRO-TV as part of a broader strategy following relaxed FCC media-ownership rules. This potential consolidation has raised concerns about decreased media competition, staff cuts, and diminished local journalistic independence, echoing trends seen in other recent media acquisitions.

KIRO-TV has been embroiled in a prolonged labor dispute involving allegations of anti-union tactics. Union representative Angela Marshall claims that management has threatened job losses, offered raises to encourage employees to leave the union, and assigned non-union workers to roles traditionally held by union members. The dispute, marked by a refusal to negotiate over a long-expired contract, has led to NLRB involvement and union appeals, underscoring serious concerns over workers' rights.

A labor dispute involving KIRO-TV news anchors, represented by their union, has led to a settlement negotiation after an unfair-labor-practice charge was upheld by an NLRB judge. The union is seeking better compensation and resources for anchors who claim that the introduction of a 10 p.m. newscast negatively affected their preparation time and overall work conditions.