Feb. 12, 2004

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BARGAINING BULLETIN #9

RFA Management Says It Argued Against Decision to Close Cantonese Service

RFA bargainers told the Guild Tuesday night RFA management did not want to eliminate the Cantonese service. RFA said it had argued with the Broadcasting Board of Governors about the importance of the work of the Cantonese Service.

Discussion of the planned closure of the Cantonese service dominated this week's contract negotiations. RFA notified the Guild and the Cantonese service employees of the elimination of the service in the Bush administration's 2005 fiscal year budget.

RFA's representatives said the proposed budget management sent to the BBG included continued funding for the Cantonese service. They said they learned of the planned cut when it got the Bush administration's proposed budget back from the BBG.

RFA lawyer and chief bargainer Gil Abramson said RFA managers had done everything possible to save the Cantonese service and would continue to work on behalf of the Cantonese service employees.

But he and RFA Vice President Libby Liu noted RFA's ability to save the service is limited. RFA is strictly prohibited from lobbying Congress. Congress has the final say on the budget, and the Guild, through our parent union - the Communications Workers of America - and the AFL-CIO already has begun exploring the possibility of working with lawmakers to retain the Cantonese service.

Liu says RFA had asked the BBG for details of the planned cut, such as when it would have to take place, and was told the information was not yet available. Liu and Abramson said RFA has no idea when the BBG might pull the plug. It could happen before the budget takes effect in October, or after.

We asked about possibly placing Cantonese service employees elsewhere within RFA or at VOA but RFA's representatives couldn't say whether that would be possible. Liu noted that BBG imposed a hiring freeze in December and hasn't said when it might be lifted.

The Guild has asked for several pieces of information, including a copy of RFA's budget request to the BBG and audience survey data. RFA said it would provide any information it had as soon as possible.

The next bargaining session is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 17.

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