NABET-CWA/ABC-DISNEY NEGOTIATIONS 2021 - BULLETIN #2

NABET-CWA/ABC-DISNEY

WASHINGTON, DC

BULLETIN #2 - MARCH 3, 2021

NABET-CWA President Charlie Braico, Local 16 President Arthur Mazzacca, Local 31 President Bob Williams, Local 41 President Chris Willadsen, and Local 51 President Carrie Biggs-Adams, along with the other members of the ABC Network Negotiating Committee (ABC NNC) announced today that the Union and ABC, Inc. have agreed to an additional extension of the 2017-2021 Master Agreement. All terms of the current ABC contract will now continue until March 31, 2022. Additionally, a two percent (2%) base pay raise will go into effect on the first day of the first full pay period after October 1, 2021.

While NABET-CWA and ABC, Inc. were prepared to start full negotiations this month, the parties cited concerns involving the continuing pandemic and related challenges in making today’s announcement. However, the Union also wanted to achieve some economic gains for the members as soon as possible, and earnestly pursued this initial wage increase.

Please note that this is a second extension of the 2017-2021 Master Agreement. On October 5, 2020, the Union and the Company agreed to extend the contract by six months, until September 30, 2021.  Today’s announcement results in an additional six-month extension, covering the period of October 1, 2021 until March 31, 2022.

The additional members of the Network Negotiating Committee are:

• Local 16: Bill Bores (Vice President and "A" Unit Technical Director) and Jim Nolan (Assistant to the President and "A" Unit Audio Maintenance)
• Local 31: Alex Staherski ("A" Unit Daily Hire & Primary Negotiator) and Carl Mayers (Treasurer)
• Local 41: Pat Keating (Treasurer & "A" Unit Photojournalist) and Mike Johnson ("K" Unit Sports Producer)
• Local 51: Greg Dolphin (“A” Unit Studio Maintenance), Brad Belstock ("K" Unit Newswriter) and Mike Denton ("A" Unit Daily Hire - Sports)
• NABET-CWA General Counsel Judiann Chartier, Esq.

While no formal dates to commence negotiations have been determined yet, the NNC is focused on meeting ABC at the bargaining table by mid-August or early September.  In the meantime, the Committee is preparing for those meetings by drafting proposals for the new Master Agreement, including adopting and drafting the significant number of proposals submitted by rank-and-file members who are enthusiastically engaged in this important process.  In the meantime, please monitor Sector and Local Union websites and email notices for any negotiations related news and mobilization activities.

In Solidarity,

The ABC NABET-CWA Network Negotiating Committee