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Union-Busting CNN Cuts Off Contracts in New York, Washington, D.C.
Leaving a lavish February gala marking the opening of the 80-story Time Warner Center in New York, Mayor Michael Bloomberg looked across the street and saw scores of NABET-CWA members with picket signs decrying CNN's union-busting.
Rather than ignore them as many of the elite guests did, Bloomberg walked over and asked why they were there, apparently recognizing some of picketers as news photographers who'd covered him.
"He was kind enough to spend a few minutes listening to our plight," NABET Local 51011 President Edward McEwan said. "He was very sympathetic to our cause and said what CNN was doing to us was wrong."
McEwan explained to Bloomberg that for 20 years CNN had subcontracted with 200 technicians and camera operators who are represented by NABET-CWA in New York and Washington, D.C. Late last year, CNN cut off the contracts. The network has rehired about half the workers but for lower wages and benefits, with no union protection.
CWA President Morton Bahr wrote to congressional leaders and Democratic candidates for president in January, appealing to them for support in the CNN fight.
"Through the years and through numerous subcontractors, these workers remained on the job loyally serving the interests of CNN with professionalism, pride and expert skill," Bahr said. "Despite having retained most of the workers from these subcontractors, CNN has refused to recognize NABET-CWA as their collective-bargaining agent and - in one fell swoop - has converted a unionized technical workforce in those cities into a nonunion workforce."
NABET-CWA President John Clark said the union is hoping to resolve the situation with CNN, but will launch a new organizing drive if necessary.
"For CNN to take this type of action against workers who have helped make them the world's top cable news network is reprehensible," Clark said. "These are loyal, hard-working men and women who want and deserve the continued protection of a union contract, and we intend to make sure they have it."
Nearly 200 union members turned out for the protest outside the towering Time Warner building, where CNN has new studios. Demonstrators came from Locals 51011 and 51016, some traveling from Washington, and from CWA Local 1109 in New York. They were joined by one of the New York labor community's giant rats.
So far, CNN has refused to speak with the union. McEwan said his top priority is getting all workers their jobs back, then getting bargaining unit recognition.
He said the union plans to file charges against CNN with the National Labor Relations Board and is looking at who was let go and who has been rehired to determine whether race, age and union affiliation is leading to discriminatory practices.
In addition to the Time Warner demonstration, the union has rallied several times outside the large windows at CNN's street-level studio at Sixth Avenue and 51st Street. "It's really disrupted their broadcast," McEwan said. "All of a sudden the blinds go down, and shots become tight head shots."
Rather than ignore them as many of the elite guests did, Bloomberg walked over and asked why they were there, apparently recognizing some of picketers as news photographers who'd covered him.
"He was kind enough to spend a few minutes listening to our plight," NABET Local 51011 President Edward McEwan said. "He was very sympathetic to our cause and said what CNN was doing to us was wrong."
McEwan explained to Bloomberg that for 20 years CNN had subcontracted with 200 technicians and camera operators who are represented by NABET-CWA in New York and Washington, D.C. Late last year, CNN cut off the contracts. The network has rehired about half the workers but for lower wages and benefits, with no union protection.
CWA President Morton Bahr wrote to congressional leaders and Democratic candidates for president in January, appealing to them for support in the CNN fight.
"Through the years and through numerous subcontractors, these workers remained on the job loyally serving the interests of CNN with professionalism, pride and expert skill," Bahr said. "Despite having retained most of the workers from these subcontractors, CNN has refused to recognize NABET-CWA as their collective-bargaining agent and - in one fell swoop - has converted a unionized technical workforce in those cities into a nonunion workforce."
NABET-CWA President John Clark said the union is hoping to resolve the situation with CNN, but will launch a new organizing drive if necessary.
"For CNN to take this type of action against workers who have helped make them the world's top cable news network is reprehensible," Clark said. "These are loyal, hard-working men and women who want and deserve the continued protection of a union contract, and we intend to make sure they have it."
Nearly 200 union members turned out for the protest outside the towering Time Warner building, where CNN has new studios. Demonstrators came from Locals 51011 and 51016, some traveling from Washington, and from CWA Local 1109 in New York. They were joined by one of the New York labor community's giant rats.
So far, CNN has refused to speak with the union. McEwan said his top priority is getting all workers their jobs back, then getting bargaining unit recognition.
He said the union plans to file charges against CNN with the National Labor Relations Board and is looking at who was let go and who has been rehired to determine whether race, age and union affiliation is leading to discriminatory practices.
In addition to the Time Warner demonstration, the union has rallied several times outside the large windows at CNN's street-level studio at Sixth Avenue and 51st Street. "It's really disrupted their broadcast," McEwan said. "All of a sudden the blinds go down, and shots become tight head shots."