Hearing Set For NABET On CNN Jobs

Three years after CNN tore up union contracts for 350 field camera crews and other technical workers in New York and Washington, D.C., the National Labor Relations Board has handed a victory to NABET-CWA.

The NLRB has ordered a hearing before an administrative law judge in September to argue that CNN should restore the previous contract provisions, recognize and bargain with the union and pay back wages.

"This is a very important decision for our members, and it also is a statement that no matter how long it takes, we're determined to protect our jobs and bargaining rights," said Carl Mayers, president of NABET's Washington, D.C. local. Or as Ed McEwan, local president in New York put it: "We're not going to let CNN walk all over us.

The trouble began in late 2003 and early 2004, when CNN ended its long-standing relationship with Team Video Services, who hired NABET-represented workers and contracted them to the cable network. In a twist on outsourcing, CNN shifted the work in-house and said it wouldn't honor the union contracts.

The maneuver wasn't lost on the NLRB: "CNN expanded and packed the D.C. and N.Y. units in order to avoid a successorship obligation to recognize and bargain" with the union.

Though it took three years for the union's unfair labor practice complains to lead to April's ruling, NABET-CWA President John Clark said the long fight has been well worth it. "We're gratified and confident that the board's decision will finally put us on a path to justice for these CNN workers," he said.