BULLETIN 20
May 23, 2007
Negotiations resumed today at 9:15 A.M. The Company began this morning's session by submitting a modification of its initial February 28th proposal for Sideletter DV.
ABC's initial proposal would have effectively removed any remaining meaningful exclusive functions from Sideletter DV. Today the Company made some movement away from its initial position by withdrawing its call to remove Network Master Control operations, traditional Network and Station production switching, and Network and Station camera technical set-up from the Union's exclusive jurisdiction.
However, ABC's modified proposal still calls for removing Network and Station break studio operations and Washington Central Switching operations from the Union's exclusive jurisdiction. In response to the current ABC proposal, Sector President and Chief Spokesperson John S. Clark commented across the table, "While this proposal takes away less than your original, it doesn't address growth and doesn't pay for the concessions you are seeking." A lengthy debate then ensued concerning the potential application of this proposal and its impact upon NABET-CWA represented engineers.
A separate lengthy discussion also took place concerning the Company's proposal for Section A8.2 (c) [opportunities to eat]. The Company is currently seeking to expand utilization of this provision beyond breaking, extended, and special news coverage. When pressed by the Union to provide examples that did not fall into existing OTE circumstances, ABC management was unable to do so. In fact, bewildered Company representatives attempted to have the Union Bargaining Committee explain ABC's proposal for them by inquiring, "What do you think it means?"
Finally today, the Union presented counterproposals on Sections 7.7 (a) and (b) [per diem allowances], Sections 8.6 (b) and (c) [late notification penalties], and Section 10.3 [night shift differential vacation payments].
Talks adjourned for the day at 1 P.M. to enable the Network Negotiating Committee to devote the full afternoon to reviewing ABC's Sideletter DV proposal. Thursday's schedule includes morning subcommittee meetings to discuss Company proposals on apprenticeship programs and sick leave. The parties are scheduled to meet in full committee later in the day.
The Union Bargaining Committee reminds all members to ignore rumors. All official negotiation and mobilization information will be delivered on the Sector website at www.abc-contract.info. Please also check Local websites, hotlines, and e-mail for additional information.
NABET-CWA Network Negotiating Committee
For an archive of all bulletins, go to www.abc-contract.info/barg_mobe/.
