Bargaining Update

New York Times

On Tuesday, workers at the New York Times (NYT), members of the NewsGuild of New York (TNG-CWA Local 31003), rallied outside the NYT office in protest of management's anti-union tactics. The members are engaged in a fight with the New York Times that directly impacts three bargaining units (the newsroom, tech workers, and Wirecutter). Management is denying workers at Wirecutter a fair contract, slow-walking bargaining with Times Guild members over fair pay and safe working conditions, and fighting the union of hundreds of NYT tech workers. The three units are standing together with one clear message: Stop union busting. Respect our union.

Despite sitting on almost $1 billion in cash, the company has only offered workers at Wirecutter an unacceptably low 0.5% annual salary increase. Wirecutter Union members, who have been bargaining for their first contract for two years, have organized a job action set to begin on Black Friday and continue through Cyber Monday. They’re calling on supporters to honor their “digital picket line” and stop shopping through Wirecutter if a deal isn’t reached before then. Click here to learn more and pledge your support.

Members of three New York Times bargaining units and supporters protested against management's anti-union tactics outside the company’s offices.

###

Frontier Connecticut

Last week, Frontier workers in Connecticut, members of CWA Local 1298, held an informational picket calling on Frontier Communications to negotiate a new contract that includes job security, fair benefits, and access to the jobs of the future expanding Frontier’s network. Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.) joined the picket in support of the workers, over 97% of whom have voted to authorize a strike if Frontier refuses to bargain a fair contract. Issues on the bargaining table include eliminating two-tier medical plans and two-tier work rules, getting a bridge to Medicare for retirees post expiration, and correcting the wage theft committed by the company to leverage sales reps. The workers are determined to keep mobilizing until their demands for a fair contract are met.

CWA Local 1298 members held an informational picket to get their message out to the public and fight for a fair contract.

###

ABC

Last week, NABET-CWA’s Network Negotiating Committee participated in another round of negotiations with ABC. The bargaining committee pushed for enhanced benefits including expanded sick leave, child bonding leave, bereavement leave, paid jury duty leave, and extending payments in lieu of vacation to all daily hires. In addition, the union and the company came to a tentative agreement to add four new covered platforms (ESPN+, ACC Network, ACC Network Extra, and SECN+) into the Sports Event Agreement. Bargaining will resume on January 10th with sessions in Los Angeles.