In the News: Pension Freeze Provokes NABET to Suspend Talks at ABC

Following a series of last-minute bargaining proposals by ABC to freeze the pensions of 2,500 workers and other unreasonable demands, NABET-CWA suspended negotiations with the television network. The management proposal came one day after the workers' March 31 contract expiration date. The pension freeze would mean a 25 percent reduction in average participant's retirement.

NABET-CWA President John Clark said the proposal "will pull the rug out from underneath people who are depending on their retirement security after a lifetime of service to ABC. It is deplorable." ABC has also refused to consider providing training and job opportunities for the workers so they can keep up with changing technology. Bargaining covers technicians, camera operators, news writers and other ABC employees across the United States.

The union informed ABC it would resume talks in mid-May after holding meetings with affected members across the country.