NABET-CWA Agreement with NBC Universal Will Cover Cable Broadcasts on NBC Sports Network

New NABET-CWA Agreement with NBC Universal Will Cover Cable Broadcasts on NBC Sports Network

Washington, D.C. -- NABET-CWA and NBC Universal have entered into an agreement that would provide for the assignment of the Union’s members to certain broadcasts airing on the Company’s “NBC Sports Network” cable channel. This new agreement comes less than one month after NABET-CWA members ratified a new national contract at the NBC Television Network and its TV stations in New York City, Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Los Angeles. 

Formerly known as “Versus,” this cable channel was re-branded as the “NBC Sports Network” on January 2, 2012. The channel is available on cable systems and through satellite TV providers throughout the United States. “Versus” was owned by Comcast prior to the corporate re-organization that resulted in NBC Universal being operated as a joint venture between Comcast and General Electric. It is anticipated that NABET-CWA-represented technicians will now be assigned to cable-only broadcasts of events such as certain NHL playoff games, pre- and post-event coverage of Triple Crown and Breeders Cup thoroughbred racing, and other sports programming. These assignments would be in addition to times when these events air for broadcast on the NBC Television Network.

“NABET-CWA is pleased that we were able to reach this milestone agreement with NBC Universal, an agreement which should bring a significant amount of work for our members there,” said NABET-CWA President James C. Joyce. “This new arrangement will provide the full benefit of our national contract for these cable television broadcasts and represents a marked step forward in the business relationship between the Union and the Company,” Joyce added.

NABET-CWA represents 2500 workers employed at NBC nationally, as well as representing thousands of other broadcast professionals at television and radio networks and stations across America. Their parent Union, the Communications Workers of America, is the largest telecommunications union in the world, and represents over 700,000 men and women in both private and public sectors, in numerous diversified industries.

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Contact: Candice Johnson, CWA Communications 202-434-1168 or cjohnson@cwa-union.org