CWA and NABET-CWA Call for Immediate NLRB Decision on CNN Case

The Communications Workers of America, and the NABET-CWA Sector have filed a motion with the National Labor Relations Board calling on the Board to immediately hear the case involving CNN/Team Video and 250 technicians in New York and Washington, D.C., who have been harmed by CNN’s illegal actions.

“This case has been languishing before the NLRB since 2003, and points out the total failure of U.S. labor law when it comes to workers’ rights,” said CWA President Larry Cohen. “CNN set out to get rid of union workers and their bargaining rights. Despite overwhelming evidence that CNN broke the law, today, nearly eight years later, workers still are denied justice. It’s time for the NLRB to take action.”

In November 2008, NLRB Administrative Law Judge Arthur Amchan issued a scathing decision against CNN, finding that the network created a phony reorganization scheme to get rid of workers because they had a union, the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians-CWA. The judge said that CNN engaged in “widespread and egregious misconduct, demonstrating a flagrant and general disregard” for workers’ rights.

He ordered the immediate reinstatement of the 110 workers who were not rehired through CNN’s scam hiring system, called for the restoration of the economic losses of all 250 workers and ordered CNN to recognize and bargain with NABET-CWA. None of CNN’s defenses was accepted by the judge.

“Two years after that decision, after the NLRB judge confirmed CNN’s union-busting practices, CNN technicians still are waiting for justice,” said NABET-CWA Sector President Jim Joyce. He added, “Without a doubt this is the largest back pay case currently in front of the NLRB nationally. CNN’s liability is well over $100 million, and it is time for the Board to definitively act.”

The Union’s motion calls on the NLRB to give this case priority over all other pending cases. This action is necessary, CWA said, because none of the remedies ordered by the ALJ in 2008 have been implemented and more than 204 workers are due substantial remediation. “The saying ‘justice delayed is justice denied’ has particular relevance to violations of the National Labor Relations Act,” CWA said, because such delay makes it more difficult for workers to believe they will ever obtain justice under the law. The Union called for a decision to be issued without further delay.

More information on this story, a link to the filed motion, can be found here:
http://files.cwa-union.org/national/news/newsletter/101013_cnnmotion.pdf