NBC10’s striking photographers and technicians voted
Friday to ratify a new four-year contract after more than three weeks off the
job, NBC10 and other sources confirmed Friday morning.
A source told the Philadelphia Business Journal that the
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98, who represents the
striking workers, relented on one issue – full amnesty for its members, which
became a point of contention as some employees sparred with NBC10 personnel
while picketing – disrupting live shots, among other behavior, that essentially
hurt the station's newscast.
IBEW and management agreed on new contract terms that
include what NBC10 described as: competitive wage increases; a one-time
ratification bonus; control room flexibility for Automated Production Control
(APC) operators around cut-ins and breaking news; and job protections for APC
operators and employees associated with the new APC flexibility.
“We’re glad the strike is over and we’re all looking
forward to working together as one team again,” said Ric Harris, President and
General Manager, NBC10 and Telemundo62. “Under the new terms of our contract,
which includes enhanced flexibility to operate in today’s fast-changing broadcast
television environment, we look forward to continuing to deliver our viewers
the very best local news, information and weather that keeps them in the know
throughout the day.”
IBEW Business Manager John J. Dougherty said in a
statement that the contract was a win-win for both parties, as NBC10 gets back
its employees in time for the November sweeps ratings period and the employees
go back to work. Dougherty acknowledged the uncertain future of television
broadcasting, where technology is making some traditional jobs obsolete.
“With streaming, multiple viewing platforms, 3-D
technology and seemingly endless other technological developments changing the
industry by the day, none of us knows what the future holds in store for the
television industry and those who make it work,” Dougherty said. “However, we
are grateful to be continuing our relationship with NBC10 and thank its
management for working through this sometimes difficult process to reach an
equitable new agreement.”
The main sticking point in negotiations had been
jurisdiction over the NBC10 control room.
NBC10 wanted to implement what the television industry
calls Automated Production Control (APC), which automates some functions that
the unionized employees traditionally performed and hands some of those duties
to non-IBEW employees.
While management guaranteed no job cuts as part of the
plan, IBEW said there was a concern that by taking away duties from union workers,
it could lead to less hours or possible job loss.
As the two sides came to an agreement on that issue late
last week, amnesty for the striking workers became a part of the discussion
with IBEW officials expressing concern that management would be vengeful
against union members when they returned to the job.
Union members picketed over the past few weeks in front
of the headquarters of NBC10 parent Comcast Corp. in Center City and at NBC10’s
studios on City Avenue in Bala Cynwyd. The picketers even managed to make it up
to New York and have their signs viewed on the Today show, and appeared in at
least one NBC10 newscast. The on-air reporters were live in the field less
frequently throughout the 3-week long strike as the striking workers often
appeared at press conferences with whistles and signs ready.
The two sides started to play hardball last week.
NBC10 General Manager Ric Harris told staffers in a memo
that the station was advertising to hire replacements for the striking
employees.
IBEW officials then alleged that the station violated
security protocol during Pope Francis’ visit last month when a station
executive gave his security credentials to a cameraman from NBC’s Dallas
affiliate who was serving as a replacement for the striking workers and had not
been vetted by Secret Service.
The affected NBC10 employees had been working without a
contract for 15 months and timed the strike to commence late last month when
Pope Francis arrived in Philadelphia — when NBC10 would need its personnel the
most. The station has used freelancers and employees from other NBC stations to
fill the void.
IBEW officials say there are 58 employees affected while
NBC10 says there are 50, down from the approximately 65 photographers and
technicians the union previously said were impacted by the strike.
Source: Philadelphia
Business Journal
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