NABET-CWA #21 ch.13-second letter writing campaign

WNYT: LIVE, LOCAL, UNION-BREAKING

We are asking our members to write another letter confirming your committment to "Turn Off 13" during this holiday season.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Settle the Contract With NABET-CWA Local #21

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am writing to inform you of the difficult choice I have made to stop watching NewsChannel 13 until the station negotiates a fair contract for the members of the National Association of Broadcast Employees & Technicians, Communications Workers of America, Local 21.

The members of NABET-CWA have worked hard to help build NewsChannel 13 into the top-rated news station in the Capital District, and they deserve to be rewarded with a fair contract that recognizes their important contributions. Instead, your station has demanded a series of unreasonable givebacks that would decrease wages, benefits and job security, even though NewsChannel 13 posts a profit of $11 million a year.

The bargaining stance taken by NewsChannel 13 has been a clear attempt to weaken NABET-CWA and impair its ability to protect the rights of its members. I cannot, in good conscience, continue to support a television station that has shown a greater commitment to union busting than to protecting its greatest asset-its employees.

I look forward to being able to watch NewsChannel 13 again and I am aware of the important contributions the station has made to the Capital District throughout its history. But until the members of NABET-CWA receive a fair contract from the station, I will be turning off NewsChannel 13 and encouraging my friends and family to do the same.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
December 12, 2007

Background Information

Problems with The Company’s Proposal:

The Company is demanding that workers accept layoff with no regard to seniority. The Company could target anyone in the bargaining unit at any time.
The Company would like to abandon jurisdiction so that anybody could do unit work at any time. They could even lay off union members, and bring in outsiders who would not be required to be in the bargaining unit. Those people could do the work of the unit members who were laid off.
The Company's demand we allow pay cuts to the contract minimum of $11 an hour. Our collective bargaining agreement currently does not allow any pay cut.

The Local’s major issues are outlined on their website www.turnoff13.com Please visit that website and return from time to time. Updates will be posted as the campaign progresses.

The Membership has authorized a strike but have chosen to work with the expired contract at this time. The station has recruited and trained scabs, and the Union believes the Company is now paying some scabs to stand by while it also has to continue to pay members. A four week ratings period begins November 1-- use this time to send the message that this is a Union Region!