WNYT seeks federal mediator in union negotiation

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/stories/2007/09/10/daily38.html

The management of WNYT/Channel 13 has asked for a federal mediator to help avoid a strike at the Albany, N.Y., NBC affiliate.

Members of Local 21 of the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians-Communications Workers of America voted Sept. 12 to authorize a strike against WNYT management if the two sides fail to reach an agreement on a new contract by Sept. 30. This does not mean there would automatically be a strike if a deal is not reached, only that union leaders could call a strike without another member vote. The union represents 85 WNYT employees, including all news, production and engineering people.

Bill Lambdin, a WNYT reporter and president of Local 21, said the main sticking points are two contract provisions union members have no intention of agreeing to. One would allow management, if the need for job cuts should arise, to lay off the people of their choosing, regardless of seniority. The other would allow management, after a layoff, to bring in anyone it wanted to do the work.

Steve Baboulis, general manager of WNYT, said management is not ready to give up on a deal. The two sides will sit down again on Sept. 25 and 26.

"We still have two negotiating sessions remaining, and we certainly hope to find our way to an agreement," he said. "We have asked for a federal mediator to be brought in, and that will happen."

[Missy M]

1. At one time in this country seniority meant something....

as it should. The part where management, after a layoff, wants to bring anyone it wanted to do the work translates to, anyone not a union member.