N.A.B.E.T. MEMBERS AT WORK
About Us
We are the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians, a sector of the Communications Workers of America.
Our Union strives to provide its members with a sense of pride and dignity in the workplace, while maintaining quality work conditions and fair wages. Over the years, NABET-CWA has fought for and won benefits and wages for its represented members which include a union shop, 8-hour work days, vacations, holidays, sick leave, insurance, overtime pay, pension plans, seniority, grievance and arbitration, safety, and health. NABET-CWA is proud of its fine tradition of democracy. Our members are well served by officers and staff whose roots are in the broadcast industry.
NEWS
UNIT NEWS
a Message from the President
July 7, 2020
Dear Sisters and Brothers of NABET-CWA Local 31,
I hope everyone enjoyed a good 4th of July.
These are very stressful and unprecedented times, with COVID-19 and renewed social unrest.
The need for a free press is greater than ever, but the press itself is under attack as never before. The broadcast and cable networks that we represent are covering news in this pandemic at great personal risks.
NABET-CWA is in ongoing talks with the various companies our members work for to make sure our folks have the proper gear and security to do their jobs. As the nation reckons with its past and present of injustice and discrimination— based on race, gender, and religion— a free press is vital to inform the public. Unions which are made up of people of all backgrounds, races, genders, and religions can point the way forward in these times by demonstrating that we are stronger together.
July is shaping up to be a month when many members will start to return to work. There will be certain protocols and modifications due to the pandemic, NABET-CWA continues to be active in negotiations to develop protocols.
We have entered into several agreements with ABC/ESPN to cover various sporting events. They include Top Rank Boxing, Major League Soccer, and the National Basketball Association. These are agreements which have specific stipulations regarding COVID-19 protocols and scheduling. ABC/ESPN in Washington D.C. is bringing back two shows for in studio production (Pardon the Interruption, and Highly Questionable) this month and will be adding Scott Van Pelt/Sports Center later this year. There is no decision on the Around the Horn show yet. These sporting events will provide work for many NABET-CWA Local 31 members as MLS and NBA games will be played in Orlando.
At NBC, NASCAR and the Triple Crown have returned, and Hockey is being talked about.
Both networks continue to do outstanding work with their news operations.
NABET-CWA Local 31 is involved in four open contract talks:
1. WJLA- We have a tentative agreement and will have a unit meeting. Ballots will be sent out, within the next week.
2. WHUT - We just executed a one-year contract extension to June 30, 2021.
3. House Creative Services- We are seeking another three-month extension to September 30, 2020, due to COVID-19.
4. We are in ongoing mediation with MCT.
On another front, NPR is meeting with their financial task force to determine how they will deal with concessions being demanded by the company.
As work starts to return, safety protocols will be put in place by the various companies that reflect their own, Federal, State, and local guidelines. NABET-CWA is negotiating with these companies to assure our workers return to a safe environment and are properly compensated. NABET-CWA and other unions are working to make sure the interests of workers are a priority. It is in difficult times such as these that workers need a voice in their workplaces and Unions stand ready to voice your concerns to make better lives for you and your families.
In Solidarity,
Bob Williams
President, NABET-CWA Local 31
Bob Williams