Omaha TV Techs Battle Hearst for a Fair Contract

NABET-CWA technicians at Omaha's KETV Channel 7 are fighting for a fair contract that prevents the Hearst-owned station from unilaterally turning full-time jobs into part-time work.

Three years ago, when the last contract was negotiated, the bargaining unit had 17 full-time and five part-time technicians. Since then, six full-timers have lost their jobs and the number of part-timers has more than doubled.

Management is attacking job security provisions negotiated in the last contract and wants to limit NABET-CWA's jurisdiction over existing work.

The KETV workers, who just merged their Omaha local with Local 54041 in Chicago, are wearing red shirts to show solidarity. A website, www.7canthelp.tv, and bus bench ads are making sure that the public gets the message.

The unit bargained this week with a federal mediator and more sessions are schedule in late August.

(Photo caption: NABET-CWA members in Omaha use bus bench ads in the fight for a fair contract at KETV Channel 7.)