Boston Local Fighting to Save Good, Union Jobs in Public Broadcasting

Frontline, NOVA Producer WGBH Imposes Devastating Final Offer on Workers

During a media reform conference earlier this month, CWA leaders and members rallied in support of Local 1300's fight against union-busting at Boston public broadcasting station, WGBH. Pictured in middle is Local 1300 President and NPR "All Things Considered" host Jordan Weinstein, with TNG-CWA President Bernie Lunzer and NABET-CWA President Jim Joyce at right.

If you've watched Frontline, NOVA, Antiques Roadshow or Masterpiece Theatre, you've seen the skilled video and editing work of CWA members at Boston's public broadcasting company, WGBH. Now they're asking for your help to fight their employer's bitter, union-busting campaign.

The nearly 300 members of CWA Local 1300, with support from Jobs with Justice and other allies, are asking local and national fans to send messages to the WGBH Board of Trustees to urge management to return to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair contract.

WGBH imposed its final offer March 15 after the union soundly voted it down. Effectively stripping employees of their job security, it allows WGBH's TV and radio stations to outsource any work at any time without restriction.

Less than two years ago, the workers agreed to deep wage and benefit cuts even as management took home bonuses. Some workers lost more than 30 percent of their income.

WGBH's board includes one of the infamous Koch brothers, David Koch. The Kochs are billionaires whose money is helping fuel union-busting and anti-regulatory campaigns across the country.

Even so, Local 1300 members are hopeful that other board members can be persuaded to bring pressure to bear on management. "Our goal is to preserve good, local union jobs at a financially stable WGBH," said Local President Jordan Weinstein, who hosts NPR's "All Things Considered" from WGBH.

For months, he said, WGBH has used its viewer- and listener-supported budget "to hire anti-union consultants to help bust its largest and oldest union. We'd expect this from the governor of Wisconsin, not the people whose programs include NOVA, Frontline and Masterpiece."

The workers have had a union at WGBH since 1971, then known as the Association of Employees of the Education Foundation. They became AEEF/CWA Local 1300 through a merger in 2002.

Click here to send a message to the WGBH Board, or find the link on the Massachusetts Jobs with Justice website at www.massjwj.net.