Working Together for Change at NBC
A message from Kim Roberts Hedgpeth
AFTRA National Executive Director
As you know, NBC announced NBCU 2.0, which among other things, made clear that NBC would seek to trim $750 million from its budget and eliminate 700 jobs. News reports indicate that this will affect not only jobs, but work responsibilities and the negotiation of personal services contracts in some divisions.
Unlike non-union employees of NBC, AFTRA members have resources and options available to them by virtue of their AFTRA contracts, legal resources and expertise, and coordinated activity on behalf of AFTRA members around the country.
You should be aware that AFTRA has filed simultaneous, comprehensive information requests and bargaining demands on behalf of AFTRA members at WNBC, KNBC, WRC, WVIT, WCAU, WSNS, and WMAQ. AFTRA is monitoring closely whether NBC Labor Representatives make any proposals in current negotiations for new contracts at WNBC, WMAQ, WSNS, WNJU and KNBC (negotiations at these stations were already in progress at the time NBCU 2.0 was announced) that may indicate any further cutbacks planned by NBC under the 2.0 initiative. Further action is currently under review and will be announced at an appropriate time.
I am urging you, in the strongest terms possible, that this is the time to use the resources available to you as union members and to get involved in matters affecting your future. To that end:
If you are working under a personal services contract (“PSC”), and:
▪ Your PSC is due to expire within the next six months, please contact your AFTRA staff person for a confidential consultation on potential options and strategies before you.
▪ Your current PSC is about to expire (or has expired) and you are in negotiations for a new PSC, contact your AFTRA staff person immediately for a confidential consultation.
▪ You are notified by NBC that your employment is to be terminated or if you are offered a “buyout” or advised you can only retain your job if you take a pay cut, contact your AFTRA staff person immediately for confidential consultation before signing any agreements, releases, waivers or confidentiality agreements.
▪ You are asked to take on any new responsibilities to replace technical or other staff, e.g., editing, photography, etc., contact your AFTRA representative immediately.
▪ Your normal duties are being reduced and/or replaced by the work of other people, please contact your AFTRA staff person immediately.
If you are a per diem or freelance employee, and:
▪ The number of hours you normally are called upon to work per week are being significantly reduced, please contact your AFTRA staff person immediately.
▪ You are asked to take on any new responsibilities to replace technical or other staff, e.g., editing, photography, etc., contact your AFTRA representative immediately.
▪ You hear any rumors about possible layoffs among freelance and/or technical employees, contact your AFTRA representative immediately.
Whether or not you have a PSC, and regardless of whether you work primarily in an on-air or off-air capacity, if you are advised that your job is being eliminated, or if you are asked to take on new duties or advised that your work responsibilities are being modified in any way, contact your AFTRA representative immediately.
Please make sure that you know who your AFTRA station/division liaison or shop steward is, and where you can find him/her on short notice. Further, below you will find the names and phone numbers of the AFTRA staff persons for each location.
As AFTRA members, you will receive additional updates as new information, actions and coordinated activity develops. In the interim, on behalf of the AFTRA staff in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington DC, New England, Philadelphia and AFTRA National, we look forward to working with you to ensure that your rights, benefits and contracts are protected and enhanced as we manage the evolution of NBC’s business model under 2.0.
Layoff of Three WNBC Reporters Condemned by AFTRA Members. AFTRA members condemn the layoff of three widely-respected WNBC news reporters by NBC-Universal management as an insult to the people of New York who count on television news. Click here to read the press release>>
AFTRA Staff Contacts
Los Angeles Local
New York Local
Washington/Baltimore Local
Chicago Local
Boston Local
Philadelphia Local
AFTRA National
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