Labor and management have dug in their heels as
negotiations have stalled in a two-week-long strike by 65 photographers and
technicians at NBC10 with the station making its "final" offer while
the union insists on amnesty for its picketing workers, regardless of how
they've behaved so far.
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local
98, who represents the striking workers, held a press conference Thursday at
City Hall alleging that the station violated security protocol during Pope
Francis’ visit last month.
Striking NBC10 employees show solidarity as leadership
levies accusations against station management at City Hall Thursday.
IBEW spokesman Frank Keel said an NBC10 executive gave
his security credentials to an uncredentialed cameraman from NBC’s Dallas
affiliate who was serving as a replacement for the striking workers. Members of
a private security firm working the event pulled the man out of line but the
cameraman was given an official credential.
IBEW had previously said it asked the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security to investigate and on Thursday submitted letters the Federal
Communications Commission and U.S. Secret Service asking those agencies to look
into the matter.
The accusation came a day after NBC10 General Manager Ric
Harris sent a memo to staff saying the station was advertising to hire
replacement employees — though after several attempts to clarify, NBC10
officials would not confirm whether those positions would be permanent
replacements for the striking employees. Only three of the at least nine online
job ads had a temporary label.
When asked about that and IBEW’s accusations Thursday,
NBC10 issued a statement that did not directly respond but rather reiterated that
it believes it has offered the union a “ highly competitive compensation
package” that “also provides us the necessary flexibility to operate in today’s
fast-changing broadcast industry. We continue to be hopeful that the union will
ratify this offer – our last, best and final – so that its members can return
to work under the terms of a fair contract.”
Source: Philadelphia
Business Journal
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