New NABET Pact with ABC Expands Jurisdiction

NABET-CWA and ABC reached a new agreement that gives the union jurisdiction over most ESPN sports presentations that are broadcast over the ABC Television Network, reported NABET-CWA President John Clark. These broadcasts, called "time buys," are an increasing part of the relationship between ABC and the cable sports giant, both owned by Disney, he said.

Many ESPN-produced events, such as professional men's and women's basketball, college basketball, horseracing, and auto racing, are aired on ABC as time-buys. Prior to the new agreement, these broadcasts were produced without a NABET-CWA-represented technical crew.

This agreement "should bring a significant amount of work for our members at ABC" and it marks a step forward in the previously strained relationship between the union and ABC, Clark said. It covers most ESPN time-buy events aired on ABC as of July 11, 2005, and runs until March 31, 2011, unless renewed by the parties by mutual agreement.

The agreement also covers programs associated with the time-buy broadcasts, such as pre- or post-game shows, when those programs are produced to be broadcast on ABC along with the time-buys. These programs now will be produced using a union-represented technical crew.

Clark, Local 16 Vice President and NABET-CWA Sector Vice President Jim Joyce, Local 16 President Gene Maxwell, and Local 31 President Mark Peach were involved in the discussions with the company that led to the agreement.

ABC has reached similar agreements with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the Directors Guild of America.