Bulletin 30
Jul 13, 2012
Bulletin
NABET-CWA/ABC-Disney Negotiations
Chicago, IL
BULLETIN #30
July 13, 2012
NABET-CWA negotiators met with ABC, Inc. representatives in Chicago for two days of scheduled talks. The parties worked to clarify a number of matters and attempted to close all remaining open issues in the continuing effort to reach a tentative agreement. The Company proposed, and the Union accepted, a proposal to lengthen the term of the new Master Agreement by an additional year. Unfortunately, on a number of other critical proposals, the Company and the Union still have significant differences.
On Friday, July 13th, in a clearly premeditated maneuver, the Company presented NABET-CWA with a document which ABC characterized as a ‘Last, Best and Final Package Proposal’. This package included an unsatisfactory approach to the important issue of digital camera usage (Sideletter DN). The Company’s proposal could possibly diminish ENG/EFP work by as much as 18% each year, with an overall potential loss of 48% of such work during the life of the contract.
The package also included a wage proposal that fails to address the economic concerns of the membership. The Company is offering 2½% upon ratification with an additional 2% each year following, on the anniversary date of ratification. The Company stated that no retroactivity or ratification bonuses will be offered.
Union negotiators are evaluating the entire package proposal and plan to release further details to the membership in the coming weeks.
The parties previously agreed to schedule additional meeting dates in San Francisco, CA on August 8-9, 2012. Union negotiators will be present for that meeting. As of today, Company negotiators have not yet committed to attending the San Francisco session.
The Union Bargaining Committee reminds all members to ignore rumors. All official negotiation and mobilization information will be delivered on the Sector website (www.nabetcwa.org), on Local websites, hotlines, and e-mail lists.
NABET-CWA Network Negotiating Committee