Chronology of Events
Author: NABET 31
Date: 02-17-04

CNN ORGANIZING / MOBILIZATION

ORDER OF EVENTS

September 29, 2003 (on or about)

TVS announces to NABET-CWA that CNN has canceled their contract. All TVS / CNN NABET-CWA represented employees in Washington DC will no longer have a job as of 12/8/03.

October 3, 2003

Local 31 President Peach meets with Washington Bureau Chief Kross to discuss NABET-CWA's role at CNN after December.

November 5, 2003

Local 31 holds first meeting for potentially dislocated members from CNN. Meeting held at CWA HQ in Washington DC, with eight members attending. Representatives from the Metro Labor Counsel, DC Placement Services and the Washington DC Unemployment office were in attendance.

November 19, 2003

Letter sent to Jim Walton, President CNN News Group from CWA President Bahr and NABET President Clark. "In view of the mutual interest we both have in the continued, uninterrupted delivery of high quality news, I suggest we meet at a mutually agreeable time to discuss these issues."

November 24, 2003

Letter to Paul Begala of CNN from President Bahr.

December 1, 2003

Unit meeting held at CWA HQ to discuss the termination of the contract and the related issues. Twenty eight members attended and legal questions were directed to attorney Powers.

December 3, 2003

Response letter received from Jim Walton, President CNN News Group. "Thank you for your recent letter. I will certainly keep your concern and interest in mind, but I do not believe that there is any benefit to meeting at this point."

December 4, 2003

Local 31 attorney Brian Powers confirms in writing to TVS attorney Peter Chatilovicz that under Section 19.1 (c) of the contract TVS / CNN will be responsible for all members in Washington DC receiving severance.

December 5, 2003

This was the last day for almost half of our members at CNN. The last member to be rehired by CNN was notified at 4:30pm. (note: those scheduled to work Saturday do not report but do get paid)

December 6, 2003

All employees of CNN report to CNN at 8am for employee orientation. These employees are greeted at 7:30am by a half dozen NABET-CWA members from ABC, House Recording Studios and WRC. Everyone gets a `Welcome" letter.

December 7, 2003

All employees of CNN report to the Sequoia Restaurant at 7pm for an employee dinner. These employees are greeted at 6:30pm by a half dozen NABET-CWA members from NBC, ABC, D/H's from Sports & ENG. Everyone gets a F.A.Q handbill.

December 8, 2003

A letter was sent from CWA President Bahr to Senator Clinton, Senator Schumer.

Local 31 attorney Powers sends letter to CNN attorney Fasman requesting recognition.

December 10, 2003

Local 31 attorney Powers and President Peach meet with TVS attorney Chetilovicz and TVS co-owner Larry De Anna to discuss the conditions of termination. They are as follows:

-All employees will be paid for unused vacation, unused sick leave up to 80.0 hours, and up to 2 days of unused personal leave.

-These payments will be made in the form of a separate check on / about the last pay day. (12/12/03)

-A list of those receiving severance including start date, wage calculation and total was presented by TVS.

-Those not rehired would receive payment first, but all severance should be received by the end of the year.

December 11, 2003

Letter from CNN attorney Fasman responding to Unions request for recognition. "CNN does not agree with your assertion that a majority of its current employees in this or any other appropriate bargaining unit were previously represented by NABET", "CNN is not a successor employer to TVS and is not obligated to recognize and bargain with NABET." "If NABET is able to obtain a showing of interest in an appropriate bargaining unit and a majority of employees in that unit vote to be represented by NABET"

December 15, 2003

CNN unit meeting was held at CWA HQ with about 30 members present. Attending this meeting along with President Peach were CWA National Organizing Coordinator Jimmy Tarlou, CWA District II Organizing Coordinator Ron Collins and CWA District II Organizer Pam Wilt. Purpose of the meeting was to discuss remaining issues from the last meeting, review the 12/10 meeting findings, discuss organizing and mobilizing strategies and create a committee.

December 16, 2003

Wall Street Journal publishes article on CNN's Union busting.

December 23, 2003

CWA District I Vice President Larry Mancino writes letters to CNN's Richard Parsons and Jim Walton stating "it would be extremely short-sighted and foolish for CNN to forsake its labor harmony by failing to hire the current complement of employees and recognize NABET-CWA as their bargaining representative."

January 5, 2003

Meeting with Local 31 Organizing / Mobilizing Committee with sub-committee's identified.

January 5, 2004

First meeting of the CNN Organizing / Mobilizing Committee in Washington.

January 6, 2004

Suspected violation of Immigration Law CNN Broadcasting submitted to Washington District Office Investigations Division.

January 7, 2004

First meeting of CNN Organizing / Mobilizing Administrative Officers, consisting of NABET-CWA National President Clark, New York Local 11 President McEwan, Washington Local 31 President Peach and CWA National Organizing Coordinator Tarlau.

January 12, 2004

Letters sent to all Democratic Presidential Candidates from CWA President Bahr requesting support for the fight against CNN.

January 14, 2004

Second meeting of the CNN Organizing / Mobilizing Committee in Washington.

January 16, 2004

Approximately 24 NABET-CWA members attend a third CNN unit meeting. (first meeting attended by replacement employees)

January 23, 2004

Second meeting of the CNN Organizing / Mobilizing Administrative Officers.

January 24, 2004

Kathryn Kross removed from position as CNN Washington Bureau Chief.

January 29, 2004

Third meeting of the CNN Organizing / Mobilizing Committee in Washington. Washington committee has conference call with New York Member committee.

January 30, 2004

Kathy Swiger , TVS Accountant , allegedly terminated for comments made in December 16, 2003 Wall Street Journal article.

February 2, 2004

CWA President Bahr writes letter to Senator Kennedy asking for support in NABET-CWA protest against CNN.

February 4, 2004

NABET/CWA protests CNN's actions during the opening of the Time Warner Center in New York City.

February 10, 2004

Local 31 Files Unfair Labor Practice Charge against CNN.

February 11, 2004

CNN Organizing and Mobilizing Committee meeting.

February 17, 2004

CWA President Bahr writes letter to AFL-CIO President Sweeney asking for support in NABET-CWA protest against CNN.

February 25, 2004

Another great turn out for the CNN Unit meeting. Guest speaker, Attorney Mark Wilson spoke about how changes in over time language will effect those working without a collective bargaining agreement.

March 2, 2004

Members of many units from NABET-CWA Local 31, along with CWA supporters, protest against CNN during Kerry Rally in Washington DC. Protesters were able to bust the live 7pm shot and get an Anti-CNN sign in front of all the cameras.

March 11, 2004 

NABET-CWA President Peach and CWA National Organizer Tarlau attend this nights taping of Crossfire in order to survey for future mobilization.

March 15, 2004

The International Federation of Journalists condemn CNN's actions against Unionism, internationally, in a letter to Jim Walton. 

March 29,30,31, 2004

NABET-CWA and CWA representatives participated in a National Legislative Conference in Washington DC. The purpose of this Conference is to meet with members of the House and Senate and promote issues regarding workers rights. One of the focal points of these meeting was to spread the word on the Hill that CNN IS BAD NEWS.

April 9, 2004

Attorney's from O'Donoghue and O'Donoghue, representing NABET-CWA Local 31, submit a Position Statement in support of the Unfair Labor Practice Charge against CNN and TVS to the National Labor Relations Board.