Technicians Demand End To WJLA Clowning Around

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

“Bobby Joe the Clown” was featured at a recent rally as broadcast technicians at WJLA/Newschannel 8 continue to struggle to get a fair contract. Modeled on station owner Joe Albritton, “Bobby Joe the Clown” led the members of NABET-CWA 31 at the July 29 rally outside the WJLA-sponsored "Family Caregivers Expo" at the DC Convention Center. The union and its members are battling efforts by WJLA/NewsChannel 8 to take away one of the most fundamental features of a union contract: job security. “WJLA wants to pay off any discharged employee with a small severance,” the union reports, highlighting at-will employment, one of the key distinctions between workers represented by unions and those who aren’t. “U.S. employees without union representation can be fired ‘at will’ by their employers, for just about any reason, barring federal discrimination protections,” notes NABET 31’s Mark Peach. “Union members, who negotiate contracts with their employers, make sure if layoffs happen, they go through a fair process that involves negotiation on both sides, not only the employer’s.” More details at www.turn7off.com