The CNN Case: A Decade of Injustice

This timeline shows the incredible injustice that workers at CNN have suffered. Now, with the NLRB out of commission because of the Republican abuse of the Senate rules, workers have no path to justice.

December 2003

CNN terminated a more than 20-year contract with Team Video Services, which employed union camera operators, broadcast engineers and other technicians. Some 250 workers lost their bargaining rights and union contract and suffered big cuts in wages, benefits and working conditions. And 110 of them were fired.

April 2007

The NLRB general counsel called for an order that would restore the union contract and reinstate the fired workers.

November 2008

The NLRB administrative law judge finally issued a strong decision that called CNN's action a "sham" that was used to get rid of workers and their unions. He found that CNN committed substantial violations of the National Labor Relations Act and also found that CNN discriminated against TVS employees who tried to get work at other CNN bureaus.

The judge ordered CNN to reinstate all 110 fired employees, and restore working conditions, loss of earnings and other benefits to all 250 employees. The judge also ordered CNN to recognize and bargain with NABET-CWA.

October 2010

CWA filed a motion calling for the full NLRB to immediately hear the case and take action against CNN for the harm its illegal action caused to all 250 technicians.

January 2013

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit declared that President Obama's recess appointments to the NLRB were not valid. Companies began lining up to challenge decisions made by the Board and its regional offices.

January 2013

Without real reform of the Senate rules, Senate Republicans will continue to filibuster President Obama's nominations to the NLRB, and workers will have no redress for workplace injustices.