CWA-NABET Seeks Support in Dispute With NBC

By Mark Pattison
WBNG President
(June 25, 2009) With talks still stalled months after their contract expired, NABET-CWA members at NBC/Universal-owned stations across the country are turning up the heat and asking viewers in four major cities – including Washington – to turn off NBC and its local stations where members work.

Recently, 50 NABET-CWA and CWA members in New York leafletted in front of the "Today Show " studio as the morning program aired. "Our mobile billboard made the rounds in front of the audience, and some of our more ambitious supporters went right up to the glass behind Matt Lauer during the show with some pretty good signage," NABET Vice President Jim Joyce said.

The other cities with NABET contracts with NBC network and local stations are Chicago and Burbank, Calif. The contract covers 2,500 workers.

NABET-CWA is working for a fair contract that benefits members, the company and viewers. "Unfortunately, there has been no sign from NBC/U that it will do the right thing for its workers. While claiming the current economy is driving the posture that has brought us to the bargaining table, NBC-U and GE are still posting profits. Nonetheless, the company seems determined to remove job security, reduce compensation and subcontract work," the union said.

NBC is pushing to create a non-union job title for work that union members have been doing for decades. It also plans to close some operations in New York City and Burbank and transfer the work to a nonunion facility in New Jersey .

The union is asking viewers in Washington and the other three metro areas to "Turn off NBC" and local stations.

The NABET local in D.C. has printed postcards to be sent to the station manager of Channel 4 pledging that you'll turn off Channel 4 until it signs a just and fair union contract with Local 31. NABET is a CWA sector, just as the Newspaper Guild is.

The local NBC affiliate isn't to be pitied. Even though the national network's ratings have been in the dumper for years, Channel 4 has boasted being top in news viewership at all times of the day. And news ratings play a big part in ad revenue for the individual stations.

To get postcards in bulk for your bargaining unit, call NABE Local 31 headquarters at 301-495-4999, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

In solidarity,
Mark Pattison, president
Washington-Baltmore Newspaper Guild