Joyce, Braico Elected at Special Conference
July 26, 2010
James Joyce was elected President of NABET-CWA and Charles Braico was elected Vice-President at a Special Conference held in Washington, D.C. on 
July 25th, just prior to the start of the CWA Convention. In accordance with the Sector's By-Laws and the CWA Constitution, the special election was called because former Sector President, John S. Clark, retired in the middle of his term. Joyce and Braico were both serving in those positions since Clark retired in January. Running against Joyce were Local 53 member Leroy Jackson and Local 16 member Mark Abrahams. Opposing Braico was Region 5 Vice-President Louis Gabriele.
Local 54 President Dennis Csillag gave one of the nominating speeches for Joyce. Csillag outlined McGraw-Hill's union-busting campaign at KGTV and detailed a long list of assistance Local 54 has received from Joyce on its mobilization campaign, including strategic planning and help securing funding. "That’s the kind of personal involvement and support that our members both deserve and expect," Csillag said.
The term of office (to complete Clark's term) is one year. The next election will take place at the NABET-CWA Triennial Conference in Las Vegas on July 7-9, 2011.
As part of the Conference, NABET-CWA conducted two important workshops for delegates and other attendees. "Training Your Members for Survival" was presented by CWA/NETT Academy Director Kevin Celata, and BURST trainer Jim Talluto. The workshop showcased the Sector's new mobile Final Cut Pro lab, and focused on providing technical training to members. "Building Skills for our Future" was presented by NABET-CWA Staff Representatives Bill Murray and Carrie Biggs-Adams, and focused on the resources that are available to all NABET-CWA locals from the CWA, the AFL-CIO, and other organizations to maximize outcomes for bargaining and mobilization.
The Conference kicked off a busy week for NABET-CWA leaders and activists as the event was held back-to-back with the CWA Convention.
KGTV, Union File Competing ULP Charges
July 24, 2010
KGTV and NABET-CWA have both filed Unfair Labor Practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board over "information requests." Those requests are made when one party seeks information from the other.
NABET-CWA's ULP charge deals with information requests made to process 
grievances and alleges that KGTV refuses to provide the Union with "relevant information necessary for the Union to properly advance its grievances filed on behalf of the bargaining unit and its members."
KGTV's ULP charge alleges the Union is "using the bargaining and information request process to harass" the Company and refuses to provide KGTV with requested information needed to analyze and respond to the Union's grievances and information requests.
"This is part of KGTV's ongoing game of using delay tactics to frustrate the employees," said Local 54 President Dennis Csillag. "Rather than provide the information, KGTV's representatives just accuse us of harassment. We believe our dealings with them have been in good faith." KGTV has not yet commented on either charge.
The NLRB will likely decide the charges within a few weeks.
Related Links
More News | KGTV Documents Revealed | One Day Stronger | 10NewsUnfair.com
Boycott Cuts KGTV Ad Revenue
July 14, 2010
A boycott of KGTV and McGraw-Hill by the California Labor Federation and the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council continues to cut into the Company's advertising revenue, as political candidates, unions and independent expenditure groups honor the 
boycott and either cancel or avoid buying commercial spots on the station.
In polling advertising agencies and media buyers, Local 54 estimates the losses have exceeded $300,00 since early May.
Mike Biltucci, KGTV Director of Operations, said a single cancellation by a candidate for California Attorney General cost the station $70,000. There was a similar cancellation by the California Teachers Association (CTA). Candidates for State Senate and independent expenditure groups, including "California Working Families for Jerry Brown for Governor 2010," avoided buying spots on KGTV all together.
Art Pulaski, chief executive of the California Labor Federation, said it voted to sanction the boycott because of KGTV and McGraw-Hill's "involvement in a union-busting campaign and unfair contract negotiations with NABET-CWA." Lorena Gonzalez, CEO of the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, said KGTV's tactics have been particularly unethical and NABET-CWA has the full support of the County's 192,000 union families. “While we expect candidates and groups that support working families to use all the tools available to them, there is no reason Channel 10 should profit when they refuse to negotiate a fair contract with their employees," said Gonzalez.
KGTV responded to the boycott by filing a frivolous Unfair Labor Practice charge against the Labor Council, which was quickly dismissed by the National Labor Relations Board. KGTV has appealed the decision.
McGraw-Hill has been actively engaged in union-busting since 2006, waging a war of fear and intimidation on KGTV employees represented by NABET-CWA. Internal McGraw-Hill documents uncovered by NABET-CWA show that KGTV has no intention of negotiating a fair contract, using constant impasse to delay negotiations and frustrate employees. McGraw-Hill managers also profiled employees based on race, gender and age and included a fear — such as loss of family health benefits — to be used to intimidate employees into withdrawing support for their Union.
KGTV's ratings and profits have dropped significantly since the start of the dispute.
Related Links
More News | KGTV Documents Revealed | One Day Stronger | 10NewsUnfair.com
Darrell Brown Preps Return To San Diego
July 3, 2010
McGraw-Hill Broadcasting President Darrell Brown has decided to relocate his office from Denver to San Diego, and sources say he has purchased a new home in Rancho Santa Fe.
Brown spent 20 years at KGTV, seven of those as Vice-President & General Manager, until transferring to McGraw-Hill-owned KMGH-TV in 
Denver in 2003. Brown replaced Ed Quinn as President of the Broadcasting Group in 2008, but remained based in Denver. The corporate office for broadcasting has been located in San Diego since 1996. Brown did not respond to NABET-CWA requests for comment.
Brown ended his two-year term as chairman of the ABC affiliates board earlier this month, replaced by WSB Atlanta VP/General Manager Bill Hoffman.
Brown has publicly steered clear of the union-busting campaign initiated by Quinn in the fall of 2005, instead turning a blind eye to the reign of terror thrust on employees by KGTV managers. That includes a union-busting plan implemented by KGTV's law firm, profiling of employees based on race, age and a personal fear — such as loss of family health benefits or even loss of job — used to intimidate employees into withdrawing support for their Union. The plan also subjects employees to disciplinary actions without just cause. KGTV has taken more disciplinary action against Union supporters since the start of this dispute than in the previous 25 years combined.
Since becoming Group President two years ago, Brown has refused to even meet with officials trying to settle the dispute. Brown has refused union leaders, labor leaders, business leaders and even clergy members, saying only that a meeting "would not seem productive."
KGTV and McGraw-Hill are currently the subject of a statewide boycott by the California Labor Federation for their "involvement in a union-busting campaign and unfair contract negotiations with NABET-CWA."
Related Links
More News | KGTV Documents Revealed | One Day Stronger | 10NewsUnfair.com
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