PUBLIC BROADCASTING FIGHT TO SAVE NABET-CWA JOBS MOVES TO U.S. SENATEIn a vote on February 19th concerning the 2011 federal budget, the new Republican majority in the House of Representatives cut the entire budget for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to ZERO. The potential elimination of federal funding from the budget for NPR, PBS, local public radio, and television stations (like WGBH and KQED) could affect the jobs of up to 1,500 NABET-CWA, TNG-CWA, and CWA members.
With the deadline fast approaching for Congress to agree upon a budget for the current fiscal year, this fight is urgent! The fight has now moved to the US Senate.
Please take action now by telling the Senate that Public Broadcasting in the United States is too important to be zeroed out!
Here’s what you can do:
- Send an email to your US Senators: click here!
- Call both of your US Senators– Tell Them “Don’t Zero Out Public Broadcasting!” 1-877-426-8013.
- YOU CAN ALSO TEXT CPBFUND TO 69866 and we will call you back connected to the Senator’s office.
- Write a handwritten letter to your Senator (one to each), and fax it to (202) 434-1426. We will make sure your fax is hand delivered to your Senator’s office.
Federal funding for Public Broadcasting and National Public Radio on a national basis and at your local station level comes via the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. While these broadcasters receive other funding from donors and grants, the elimination of Federal funding for CPB will be catastrophic. Of course, trimming the Federal Budget needs everyone’s attention, but cutting the funding for the jobs in our communities that bring us news, information, the performing arts, and educational programming is not going to solve the deficit and will cost workers their jobs, and citizens will lose the programming that they value.
SAVE PUBLIC BROADCASTING! SAVE NABET-CWA JOBS!
For more information go to: http://action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=tFz4w3aHaQlvFOrQOKjjeofR0iIvcqq%2F and Free Press
ABC Negotiations BeginNegotiations began on February 22, 2011 for the successor contract with Disney/ABC. The current contract is set to expire on March 31, 2011. NABET-CWA representatives are meeting with ABC management in Los Angeles, CA through Friday, March 4th. Negotiations will then move to New York City during the last two-weeks of March.
On the first day of talks, opening statements were made on behalf of NABET-CWA by Sector President James C. Joyce, who is acting as Chief Spokesperson for the Union in these negotiations. In making his remarks, President Joyce stated, “NABET-CWA and ABC have had a long standing relationship. This relationship deserves that the parties use our experience to productively work through real issues of true importance to us and not get bogged down in minutiae demanding change for change’s sake”.
The Union Bargaining Committee, through its proposal package, is focusing on many improvements to the current agreement for staff and daily-hire members, especially in the areas of job security and overall compensation.
The NABET-CWA Bargaining Committee members present when talks opened were: Local 16 President Paul Vasquez, Local 31 member Tim Welch, Local 41 President Charles Braico, Local 51 President Kevin Wilson, Local 57 President Richard Daszkowski, and Sector President Joyce. Also attending on behalf of the Union were alternate bargaining committee members Art Mazzacca (Local 16), and Don Farnham, Jr. (Local 41).
To see all official negotiation and mobilization information for the ABC talks, click here. Bargaining UpdatesTentative Agreement Reached at Univision in Chicago (Local 41)
NABET-CWA Local 41 reached a tentative agreement with WGBO/Univision on a successor collective bargaining agreement. The parties concluded negotiations on Monday, February 14, 2011 by agreeing to terms for a new contract. The deal is contingent on ratification by the bargaining unit not later than Monday, February 28, 2011.
The highlights of this package include:
- 4-year agreement, expiring February 28, 2014
- Wage increase of 3% retroactive to January 1, 2011
- Wage increase of 2% on March 1, 2011
- Wage increase of 2% on March 1, 2012
- Wage increase of 2½ % on March 1, 2013
- Company contribution to 401(k) for full-time employees remains at 5% throughout the life of the contract
- Per Diem employees will now be eligible for Flex Plan benefits.
- Shift change/cancellation penalty for Per Diem employees
- Improved missed meal penalties
- New provision for an additional meal period for employees who work 12 hours or longer
- No major jurisdictional changes
A membership meeting was conducted on Wednesday, February 23rd. Ratification ballots were distributed at the meeting. Ballots are due back in the Local 41 office by 3pm on Friday, February 25, 2011.
Local 43 in Detroit Seeks Assistance for Stricken MemberLocal 43 President Brian Moore has requested that the following be distributed on behalf of a member who recently had a stroke:
"Wendell Burke Jr is a 49 year old Photographer/editor for WJBK-TV. He suffered a stroke on February 11, 2011. His prognosis is unknown, but faces months of rehab with no income. He has been employed as a per diem since March of 2001.
Prior to coming to work for Fox 2 he worked with Detroit cable commission, Metro Traffic, Radio One and WGPR -TV and Radio stations. He's a 1983 graduate of Eastern Michigan University earning a degree in Telecommunications. He currently resides in Detroit with his mother in a home that he has lived in since age ten.
He has never been married and has no children. Wendell is the primary care taker for his elderly mother who is beset with numerous medical issues. He is also the lone bread winner in their home. Donations of any amount are welcomed and can be sent to: NABET-CWA Local 43 C/O Wendell Burke Fund 20833 Southfield Rd Suite 104 Southfield, MI 48075" NABET-CWA Scholarship Applications for 2011 Are Now Available On-Line-Act Now-Deadline is in 30 Days!Applications for the 2011 NABET-CWA Scholarships are now available on the Sector’s website. The scholarship is open to sons and daughters of active, retired, or deceased members.
Applicants must be students in a high school class graduating in 2011. The award supplies $750.00 yearly for four years as a partial payment of tuition or other expenses to the school designated by the winner. Winners must maintain at least a C+ average, or equivalent, during their four years in college and must attend full time.
The return date for the preliminary application is March 25, 2011. All applications must be verified by the Local President, before mailing the completed application to the Sector Office.
To download the application and to review the rules go to.:
About The NABET-CWA SIGNAL
The Signal NABET-CWA is published by e-mail approximately every two weeks, or as events warrant, to deliver the latest NABET-CWA updates electronically. NABET-CWA members and Local Officers are encouraged to send in your stories (and pictures) for future editions of The Signal.
All you have to do is email us at: SIGNAL@cwa-union.org
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