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NABET/CWA Calls off ABC Boycott As Network Agrees to End Lockout of 2,400: CWA to Urge Multi-Union S
With Disney/ABC's agreement to end the two and one-half month lockout of 2,400 employees, the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians, an affiliate of the Communications Workers of America, called off its boycott of ABC news shows and said it would submit the employer's latest contract offer to members for a mail-ballot ratification vote. Results will be announced in early February.
A key to resolving the dispute today was ABC's agreement that lockout-related disciplinary matters will be subject to arbitration regardless of whether or when a new contract is approved by the members.
CWA President Morton Bahr stated: "These employees stood together and fought a valiant battle against a stubborn employer who was determined to break their spirit. They deserve a better contract than this one, but I am recommending ratification on the basis that it's the best settlement that can be reached at this time without unduly prolonging the hardship that Disney/ABC has inflicted upon these courageous workers and their families."
The network locked the workers out of their jobs on November 3rd and cut off health care coverage for their families in an effort to impose contract concessions to reduce medical benefits, weaken job security protections and allow the employer to expand its use of a permanent "temporary" workforce. Disney/ABC prolonged the walkout until today even though workers last week agreed to the company's original terms for a return to work.
"We're grateful for the tremendous support we received from the White House, from Vice President Gore personally, as well as Labor Secretary Alexis Herman, from the Democratic leadership, and from many hundreds of elected officials, sports figures and entertainment celebrities who refused to be interviewed by ABC and its affiliates," Bahr noted.
"Clearly, television viewers the last couple of months could see firsthand who stands for the fair treatment of America's working families, and who doesn't," Bahr added.
The virtual absence of Democratic officials on such shows as "This Week," "World News Tonight" and "Nightline" focused substantial criticism of the network for imbalanced news reporting on the elections, the impeachment proceedings and other breaking news.
Repeated technical glitches and amateurish camera work on Monday Night Football and other sports events were widely noted by sports writers and media commentators.
NABET/CWA President John Clark echoed Bahr's thanks to supporters and stated: "Disney/ABC was willing to keep presenting its viewers inferior news, public affairs and sports coverage indefinitely, it appears, in order to dictate contract terms. With this lockout, ABC has created a level of bitterness and mistrust throughout its workforce that will take years to resolve."
CWA President Bahr said that he has asked AFL-CIO President John Sweeney to call a meeting among all the unions that represent workers at subsidiaries of the Walt Disney Co., noting that, "It became very clear to us that ABC's labor policies are now totally dominated by the parent company."
"We're going to have to develop a unified, multi-union approach in dealing with the Disney empire and the contemptuous attitude that Disney management takes toward its workers and the collective bargaining process," Bahr stated.
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A key to resolving the dispute today was ABC's agreement that lockout-related disciplinary matters will be subject to arbitration regardless of whether or when a new contract is approved by the members.
CWA President Morton Bahr stated: "These employees stood together and fought a valiant battle against a stubborn employer who was determined to break their spirit. They deserve a better contract than this one, but I am recommending ratification on the basis that it's the best settlement that can be reached at this time without unduly prolonging the hardship that Disney/ABC has inflicted upon these courageous workers and their families."
The network locked the workers out of their jobs on November 3rd and cut off health care coverage for their families in an effort to impose contract concessions to reduce medical benefits, weaken job security protections and allow the employer to expand its use of a permanent "temporary" workforce. Disney/ABC prolonged the walkout until today even though workers last week agreed to the company's original terms for a return to work.
"We're grateful for the tremendous support we received from the White House, from Vice President Gore personally, as well as Labor Secretary Alexis Herman, from the Democratic leadership, and from many hundreds of elected officials, sports figures and entertainment celebrities who refused to be interviewed by ABC and its affiliates," Bahr noted.
"Clearly, television viewers the last couple of months could see firsthand who stands for the fair treatment of America's working families, and who doesn't," Bahr added.
The virtual absence of Democratic officials on such shows as "This Week," "World News Tonight" and "Nightline" focused substantial criticism of the network for imbalanced news reporting on the elections, the impeachment proceedings and other breaking news.
Repeated technical glitches and amateurish camera work on Monday Night Football and other sports events were widely noted by sports writers and media commentators.
NABET/CWA President John Clark echoed Bahr's thanks to supporters and stated: "Disney/ABC was willing to keep presenting its viewers inferior news, public affairs and sports coverage indefinitely, it appears, in order to dictate contract terms. With this lockout, ABC has created a level of bitterness and mistrust throughout its workforce that will take years to resolve."
CWA President Bahr said that he has asked AFL-CIO President John Sweeney to call a meeting among all the unions that represent workers at subsidiaries of the Walt Disney Co., noting that, "It became very clear to us that ABC's labor policies are now totally dominated by the parent company."
"We're going to have to develop a unified, multi-union approach in dealing with the Disney empire and the contemptuous attitude that Disney management takes toward its workers and the collective bargaining process," Bahr stated.
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