ABC/NABET CONTRACT COMMENTS

Hi All,

I'm getting a lot of private, "not to be posted" e-mail comments on the new ABC/NABET contract, but no public comment as yet from either staff nor freelance NABET Engineers. The private chatter is 100% negative regarding the changes in seniority, overtime, layoff, and benefits. I'd love to see a simple summary of the new contract provisions. Comments welcome.

I work at WPIX, an IBEW Local 1212 shop. In spite of the best efforts of IBEW Local 1212, we have the lowest wages of any union shop in the New York market, awful pension, and terrible health insurance, so bad that I don't participate and instead am a dependent on my wife's IATSE Local 764 plan. Gayle is in the wardrobe department at "Spring Awakening". We have no minimum staffing clause in our contract and working conditions are generally unsafe at best. I'm hoping that Tribune's new leadership under Sam Zell will create some positive change, but so far I get the feeling he doesn't feel warm and fuzzy about his union employees. See Sam's comments in the article about his visit to Newsday further down in the blog.

Recently, management at WPIX has instituted a mandatory drug testing policy for ENG crews involved in any sort of traffic accident. What are the drug testing policies at the other IBEW, NABET, and IATSE represented TV stations? I think this is an issue subject to collective bargaining, what are your thoughts?

Comments on the above and any new topics are encouraged. Suggestions for helpful Links and useful information appreciated.

All the best,

BD