‘Can We Bust a Union?’ Is This Some New ABC Reality Show?

‘Can We Bust a Union?’ Is This Some New ABC Reality Show?

by James Parks, Aug 20, 2007 WGAE Executive Director Mona Mangan addresses rally outside ABC headquarters.

When you think of ABC-TV, you probably think of hit shows like “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Ugly Betty” and “Boston Legal.” But now you can add “Union Buster” to the ABC lineup.

In contract talks with the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians-CWA (NABET-CWA), management is demanding severe givebacks, including freezing pensions, which would cause workers to lose 25 percent of what they are due.

At the same time, ABC has refused for two years to bargain a contract with the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE). Last week, more than 150 ABC employees, members of NABET-CWA and WGAE, rallied outside ABC headquarters in New York City to call attention to their need for new contracts. WGAE members urged ABC to return to the bargaining table and protested the loss of 17 union jobs in Washington, D.C., last week. NABET members called for ABC to give them a fair contract when they return to the table this week.

In the talks with NABET-CWA, negotiators for ABC are demanding to freeze the workers’ pension plan at the end of this year.