They gathered to cheer Philadelphia Gay News Publisher
Mark Segal. But some also came to jeer Comcast Senior Executive Vice President
David L. Cohen.
Segal was feted Wednesday by friends at the launch party
for his new book, And then I Danced: Traveling the Road to LGBT Equality, at
the Independence Visitor Center.
Outside, members of Local 98 of the International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers protested loudly, with one man shouting into
a bullhorn while others passed out fliers. The union represents about 65 camera
operators and technicians who went on strike two weeks ago at the Comcast-owned
television station.
Cohen laughed and spread his arms wide when asked about
the reception he received from the protesters.
The union's fliers accused NBC10 of skirting security
rules for the recent visit by Pope Francis for the World Meeting of Families.
"I'm here for Mark Segal," Cohen said.
"These guys would do better at the bargaining table than they would
handing out silly fliers."
Told that Local 98 Business manager John Dougherty was
already at the event, Cohen said, "He and I actually talk all the
time."
Cohen and Dougherty then engaged in a lively conversation
in the middle of the event.
"I get David," Dougherty said after the two
split up. "David is at a different level now. His office at Comcast is so
high up there that you can't even see it in a plane."
Dougherty said he has a good working relationship with
Cohen and predicted that Wednesday's conversation would lead to further
discussions."
No doubt. Local 98
issued a news release before the book party broke up, announcing a Thursday
morning gathering at City Hall to "level serious charges against NBC10
management."
An NBC10 spokeswoman on Wednesday said the station's
staff had proper credentials for the pope's visit.
"Instead of the IBEW grandstanding, it would be more
productive for them to ratify our last, best and final offer that is currently
in front of them so that its members can return to work under the terms of a
fair contract," the spokeswoman added.
Source: Philly.com
No comments:
Post a Comment