New Contract Adds Training Funds for NABET-CWA Members at Portland Station

A new contract for NABET-CWA members at KOIN-TV in Portland, Ore., now includes company-paid training, a real plus for employees and management at a time of financial distress for the station's corporate owner.

New Vision Television, which owns about 20 stations nationwide, declared bankruptcy in July, as bargaining was getting underway. Still, the innovative training proposal from NABET-CWA Local 59051 negotiators helped wrap up talks in only six sessions.

"At a time of financial uncertainty for KOIN and for the industry as a whole, this was a creative way to provide a win-win for our members and their employers," NABET-CWA President John Clark said. KOIN's general manager was "very open" to the bargaining language, he added.

Instruction in cutting edge technology will be provided through Lynda.com, a program of CWA-NETT Academy. The local's 50 members, who include camera operators, editors and master control technicians, will each get two weeks of access a year.

For locals interested in negotiating similar training programs for workers, here's the specific contract language:

"The company will acquire at least two licenses for Lynda.com. Each employee will be eligible to take up to two weeks of Lynda.com training each year. Such training will not be on company time nor be considered compensable time. A computer will be made available to any employee who needs computer access.

"Company will reimburse employees for up to $500 for courses taken on CWA-NETT, but not more than 25 employees will be eligible for such reimbursement in any year. The employees must satisfy the criteria set forth by the company. Such training will not be on company time nor be considered compensable time. A computer will be made available for any employee who needs computer access."