NBC-Universal Workers' Fight Continues

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

Workers at NBC Washington – who have been without a contract since Spring 2009 – are still embroiled in ongoing contract negotiations, reports NABET-CWA Staff Representative Carrie Biggs-Adams (at left). “There are rumors that we’re about to close a deal, but we still don’t have anything to vote on,” Biggs-Adams told Union City late last week. “The major sticking point in the negotiations is the issue of jurisdiction - NBC-Universal has been combining the positions of camera people, those who write and produce the news and editors.” The union has filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board and workers are picketing outside NBC studios in the District’s Northwest every Sunday. “This is a vigil for our labor rights as much as it is a protest,” says Biggs-Adams. “We are thankful for the support shown by the community. Unfortunately, the protracted negotiations have been hard on workers, who have not seen a raise in two years.” The union urges people to help support the workers by signing a pledge to “turn off channel 4,” which will be distributed to passersby every Sunday between 7:30A and 10A; click here for details. - Essie Ablavsky, AFL-CIO Union Summer Intern; photo by Adam Wright