CWA FIRSTS: Fairness Hits the Airwaves

Two groups of workers represented by NABET-CWA have landed first contracts, solidifying bargaining units they won through tough organizing campaigns.

On Sept. 3, about 70 engineering, production and newsroom employees of KVEA-TV, Los Angeles, ratified a first contract, netting wage increases of 9 percent over three years. The unit was certified in December 1996 after a year-long mobilization campaign, culminating in a threatened boycott of the Spanish-language Telemundo station. Following the company’s withdrawal of legal challenges, they began bargaining in November 1997.

"It was a long and difficult road, but now we have the basics to build from and to improve upon as we go year to year," said bargaining committee representative Mahelda Rodriguez. "We didn’t get everything we wanted, but we think it’s a fair deal, and one that we can work with."

KVEA employees will receive wage increases of 4 percent the first year, 3 percent the second and 2 percent the third year, with an additional 2.5 percent in merit pay, reported Paula Olson, NABET-CWA staff representative. Ernie Garcia, Rick Force and Mark Tragarz, now NABET-CWA Local 53 members, also served on the bargaining committee.

The pact provides supervisory pay and upgrades, as well as other improvements in seniority and working conditions.

On Aug. 10 — more than a year after election certification by the U.S. House of Representatives’ Office of Compliance, TV technicians and camera operators employed by the House Office of Communications Media ratified their first contract. In May 1997, the 13 full-time and five temporary TV technicians and camera operators became the first union-represented workers on Capitol Hill, under a new law allowing employees of Congress to organize.

"We’re happy that we’ve reached agreement on our first contract with a government worker bargaining unit, and we hope this will lead to further NABET-CWA organizing in the public sector," said NABET-CWA President John Clark.

"On the whole, the agreement embodies a solid working foundation for union representation," Olson and Todd Redlin, bargaining unit representative, said in a statement.

Formerly treated as "at-will" employees, said Redlin, the unit obtained job security language providing that management must demonstrate just cause for termination.

The pact also provides formal recognition of the unit as part of NABET-CWA Local 31, grievance and arbitration procedures, overtime after 40 hours, union leave and paid time to deal with union issues, performance evaluations, and other improvements in working conditions. Congressional employees cannot bargain salaries.

A second unit of about 40 workers employed by the Senate TV recording studio is awaiting a third election date following settlement of unfair labor practice charges filed with the Senate Office of Compliance.