NABET-CWA Reaches Tentative Pact with ABC that Saves Workers' Pensions

After nine months at the bargaining table, NABET-CWA has reached a tentative four-year contract with ABC-Disney that preserves members' pensions and blocks many other givebacks the network was demanding.

The contract, if ratified, provides for wage increases to be retroactive to Dec. 15, 2007.  Most members will see raises of 3.5 percent immediately, followed by 3 percent in April 2008, 3 percent in April 2009 and 3.5 percent in the contract's final year.

The contract also includes improvements for daily hires, including making some frequent daily hires eligible for health care coverage and other benefits through Disney's Signature Benefit Plans.

"These were extremely difficult negotiations," NABET-CWA President John Clark said. "However, we were able to eliminate or blunt many of the company proposals, especially around pensions and job security. The committee is convinced that the dozens of improvements negotiated constitute the best deal we are able to make." Ballots will be mailed to members next week and must be returned by Jan. 10, 2008, with results announced Jan. 11. The union represents 2,500 technicians, camera operators, news writers and other employees New York City, Washington, D.C. Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles.