CNN at conventions

[<don't b a poser>]

http://www.nabetlocal11.org/bulletins/General/2004/CNN%20Republican%20National%20Convention.pdf

[<Just shoot me>]

"The venues for these Conventions are exclusively unionized and it is very likely that media workers will be “carded” upon entry to see if they are represented by a union."

Yeah and then what?

Imho, the days of the union, in this case and especially-NABET, having the clout to to close a political convention to all but union labor are long over. Maybe they could offer mini-memberships along the lines of health clubs:
No initiation,No long term commitment, pay as you
play. Or it could be like going out to dinner-Will that be union or non-union access this evening for your camera crew?
Stop with the veiled attempts at intimidation (this is the 21st century afterall) take your best shot with the NLRB - like it or lump it.
You can always go back to one of the many time honored traditions- such as cable cutting and unexplained losses of power if you feel it will help the cause.

What next side letter 11 police on the streets of Boston and NY?

[Shaky & Blue]

What a stupid threat.

What are they going to do, try to turn away all those non-union shooters from the foreign networks also? Are they going to try to deny us coverage? Not possible.

The venue itself may be unionized, but we don't work for the venue. We work for other entities that have nothing to do with any contract between a union and the people organizing the event. The union has no jurisdiction over me.

They can "card" me if they want. I'll show them my media credentials from the Republican party and suggest they step aside. If not, I'll step around them.

[<standby>]

The way I understand the NABET letter is that CNN is a non-union employer and the Union expects union members not to work for CNN at these conventions.

I've heard that CNN is currently recruiting freelance union members (with union cards) to work for CNN at the conventions. The purpose is to make it appear that CNN has union members working for them under a union contract. CNN does NOT have a union contract.

There is a court case pending regarding what has transpired with CNN, Team Video and NABET but I don't have the details.

As far as the foreign press, small ad-hoc networks, local news crews go there won't be a problem. It'll be like going to Madison Square Garden for a basketball game when you're following the visiting team as a local news cameraman. (I imply nothing nasty or disrespectful to sports crews, foriegn news crews or local crews.)

Shaky, I don't take the letter as a threat. I believe you work in DC and you know what our collegues at CNN went through in the last few months. Like it or not, the contracts and rates set between unions and companies mark the "high-bar" of our industry's pay. In markets where there is a union union presence, other companies and bureaus pay something somewhat close to what the union contract provides for. I honestly don't think you'd be getting the same rate you now receive if it was not for the union contracts with ABC, NBC, CBS, AP and until recently CNN/TEAM.

NABET is now a part of CWA. CWA is a very progressive and forward thinking union. I don't think there will be any cutting cables and that kind of crap.

New York City and Boston are union towns and the venues are union venues. Perhaps if we stick together union members and non-union members there can be some pressure to get CNN to hire back the people they screwed.

We are in a time that's a turning point for our industry and our country.

Thanks for taking the time to read!

[<nabet???>]

Nabet is a joke! What did you do for the CNN people before this happened? How about all my good friends in wilkes-barre? what did you do for them?

[Icarus112277]

The site wouldn't open for me, but it sounds like youre talking about the GOP convention. If so, the Garden is one of the tougher union houses and I could see them imposing restrictions. They could easily set up a pool feed for everyone else and could very easily make CNN's life hell. As a matter of fact many ex-CNN'ers have taken to working for the Garden video house production so there is dome bacd blood, especially considering the location (across the street).

They'll generally let other people in to shoot (at least on a restricted basis), but don't dare do anything with the house electricity or you will have problems.

[Tippster]

Heh. Sounds like we might have an old-school Union shootout in NY and Boston. This might even make it on CNN! Wouldn't that be some schweet irony...

[AKinDC]

As I understand it, IATSE controls everything at Madison Square Garden, so the NABET letter has a ring of truth to it. If there is someone that they don't want there, I guarentee you that the IATSE folks could make that happen.

[hey ya]

The fat guys with pinky rings will take a "fee" and CNN will get everything they need, and the union guys that got let go from CNN will still be on the sidelines. That is how it works.

[Icarus112277]

Originally posted by hey ya:
The fat guys with pinky rings will take a "fee" and CNN will get everything they need, and the union guys that got let go from CNN will still be on the sidelines. That is how it works. Hope you're not someone who needs to count on that.

[<duhTV>]

Fox is non union too... they set they model f0or cnn to follow...

[<the goal>]

The goal of NABET is not to prevent other companies from access to the conventions, it is to prevent CNN from using unionized labor to "pretend" that it is a fair labor contractor in order to gain access to the Garden. Given what happened between TVS & CNN, it is an issue only between NABET & CNN.

I have seen house union technicians at the Garden and the Javitz Center literally walk off the job for the slightest infraction and essentially shut down the facility until the problem is removed.

[<not true>]

Originally posted by &lt;duhTV&gt;:
Fox is non union too... they set they model f0or cnn to follow... Fox Sports uses IBEW technicians on its sports remotes. The Fox TV lot in LA is IA & NABET.

[Shaky & Blue]

Originally posted by &lt;standby&gt;:
Shaky, I don't take the letter as a threat. I believe you work in DC and you know what our collegues at CNN went through in the last few months. The letter is most definitely a threat. It is aimed at CNN, but the wording of it covers just about everyone:

"The venues for these Conventions are exclusively unionized and it is very likely that media workers will be “carded” upon entry to see if they are represented by a union."

The threat implied here, but not explicitly stated, is that if you don't have a union card you will be denied entrance. Perhaps they only mean that they intend to card CNN employees, but that's not what they wrote. The way it's written, people like me working for foreign networks are subject to the same kind of bullsh*t.

But then, like I said, I think it's a bluff anyway, an empty threat. Think for a moment about the event in question. It's a political convention. Both political parties will want all the coverage they can get going into the election, even on CNN. Do any of you people actually think the party hacks won't do whatever they have to do to get CNN what they need? If anything, those of us working foreign media will be the ONLY ones to get screwed, because I have already seen first hand that the party hacks will sometimes drop to their knees to blow the American networks while ignoring foreign media, who they don't believe can help them in the election.

I'll put this in practical terms. I support the union and wish the best for the people who were laid off from CNN, but only so far as it doesn't start f*cking up the job I have to do. If they catch the rest of us up in their mess while trying to strongarm CNN, it will NOT gain them support. On the contrary, they'll end up with a lot of pissed off people who remember that the union f*cked them over.

That's a great way to gain support.

[Baltimore Shooter]

Originally posted by &lt;standby&gt;:
NABET is now a part of CWA. CWA is a very progressive and forward thinking union. I don't think there will be any cutting cables and that kind of crap. Damn, sure better not be any cutting of cables, smashing windows, slashing tires, starting fist fights, etc. How would that make the union look? Especially if someone was injured or killed.

Face it, NABET is a joke, they have done and continue to do NOTHING for the entrepreneur who risks everything by buying more than $100,000 in gear. All they care about is the fat & lazy fulltimer who cries and whines about having to do some work or his seniority. And all thie union's employees follow along with whatever the union says like little Lemmings falling off a cliff.

Sideletter 11, Net 60, lower rates for gear, yeah; the union really helps. Please!
Warren

[Icarus112277]

Originally posted by &lt;the goal&gt;:
The goal of NABET is not to prevent other companies from access to the conventions, it is to prevent CNN from using unionized labor to "pretend" that it is a fair labor contractor in order to gain access to the Garden. Given what happened between TVS & CNN, it is an issue only between NABET & CNN.

I have seen house union technicians at the Garden and the Javitz Center literally walk off the job for the slightest infraction and essentially shut down the facility until the problem is removed. I've seen the same thing, which is why I anticipate CNN will be doing a lot of outside shots.

And it would be poetic justice for CNN.

[Icarus112277]

Originally posted by &lt;not true&gt;:
quote: Originally posted by &lt;duhTV&gt;:
Fox is non union too... they set they model f0or cnn to follow... Fox Sports uses IBEW technicians on its sports remotes. The Fox TV lot in LA is IA & NABET. That is definitely true, although sometimes it is easy to be union for a day as well.

[Baltimore Shooter]

Sorry if I offended any union workers here, but I have received absolutely NO help from NABET or IBEW everytime I call. It's just "sorry, we can't help you", like a broken f**king record. Well, they can't help me, I can't help them.
Warren

[Lensmith]

I'm very pro union but this plan sounds misguided and counterproductive.

[Tippster]

Originally posted by &lt;not true&gt;:
quote: Originally posted by &lt;duhTV&gt;:
Fox is non union too... they set they model f0or cnn to follow... Fox Sports uses IBEW technicians on its sports remotes. The Fox TV lot in LA is IA & NABET. That may be true, but I'll bet Fox Sports isn't gonna be running point on this one, neither is the LA K-somethingsomething.

FNC is not Union here in DC, and I'm rather sure they're not in NY either. Who do you think will be covering these events? CNN will have no problems beyond a few dirty looks, most likely, otherwise there would be favoritism shown to FNC - not a smart thing to do in this atmosphere.

Like Shaky, I've also seen the politicos bend over backwards for National coverage in an election year. I work for an international News Agency, and we're definately second tier when it comes to these types of events, regardless of the fact that many more people will see our pictures than, say, CBS's. The problem is none of those viewers (or at least extremely few) are voters.

[Icarus112277]

FNC is non union here in NYC.

Might not be FNC or any major hiring the event though.
Theres a certain person in the area who has contracts with most all of the sporting arenas and he generally does the non-facility video crewing, be it for horse racing, baseball, basketball, hockey, most football, last dem convention in Philly, college sports etc.

99% of the work I've done at the garden has been through him, so it wouldn't surprise me.

[Baltimore Shooter]

Icarus,
Are you referring to Barry Hogenauer?
Warren

[Dave Putnam]

Originally posted by Baltimore Shooter:
quote: Originally posted by &lt;standby&gt;:
NABET is now a part of CWA. CWA is a very progressive and forward thinking union. I don't think there will be any cutting cables and that kind of crap. Damn, sure better not be any cutting of cables, smashing windows, slashing tires, starting fist fights, etc. How would that make the union look? Especially if someone was injured or killed.

Face it, NABET is a joke, they have done and continue to do NOTHING for the entrepreneur who risks everything by buying more than $100,000 in gear. All they care about is the fat & lazy fulltimer who cries and whines about having to do some work or his seniority. And all thie union's employees follow along with whatever the union says like little Lemmings falling off a cliff.

Sideletter 11, Net 60, lower rates for gear, yeah; the union really helps. Please!
Warren I have to disagree with you on this Warren. I think that the problem lies more with freelancers who are unwilling to come forward and participate in the collective bargaining process.

As a member of the E-Board of my local, I've seen very little volunteerism when the call goes out for help. It is much easier to sit there and b*tch about how the union's leadership is spending their dues and how not enough is being done for them than to grab a shovel and pitch in. These folks seem to fail to understand that they have the same rights as a staffer to run for office, and make the changes that they feel are necessary to improve their lot in life.

Freelancers by and large are not willing to stand up together for their own best interests when the rubber hits the road during contract negotiations and contract enforcement. Instead they take the defeatist attitude of "Hey I can't make waves, they might not hire me tomorrow!". They would rather make a deal that they think is going to be best for them in the short term. The companies know all about this inherent lone wolf attitude and they work it to their advantage every time without fail. When all is said and done, you have very little leverage as an individual when you are up against behemoths like GE, Disney, Viacom, Fox and Time Warner.

As for unions holding back compensation for talented individuals who feel that their work or gear is worth more, I know of no language in any union contract (NABET-CWA, IATSE or IBEW) that places a ceiling on compensation for labor or gear rental.

I would hardly call benefits like these (http://nabet41.org/dailyhires.asp) ,this (http://www.flexplan.com/index.html) or this (http://nabet41.org/news.asp?news_id=112) a joke but maybe you do. These are benefits for ABC freelancers that were gained at the bargaining table. Please don't patronize me and try to tell me that unions have no interest in their freelance members.

As for perceptions of fat union bosses wearing pinky rings, cutting cables, breaking windows and slashing tires, those images are about as dated as companies that still really give a hoot about their employees. The leadership of today's union workforce is very involved with protecting worker's rights to many of the things that are often taken for granted like overtime, health benefits, safety in the workplace and retirement benefits to name a few.

Are unions perfect? Hardly. Like any other organization with more than one member or employee, it is more than likely that someone is going to be jealous about what the other guy is getting and dissatisfied with the way things are being run. In the grand scheme of things however, the pluses of being in a union at the upper levels of our business far outweigh the minuses.

[Icarus112277]

Originally posted by Baltimore Shooter:
Icarus,
Are you referring to Barry Hogenauer?
Warren Never heard the name.

Just googled him and read an article that mentioned him. Sounds like the same guy but different last name. Very coincidental.

Anyways, the guy I'm talking about (Barry Fialk) doesn't do the Vet. The only things that I know of him doing in Philly is that convention.

[Tippster]

Originally posted by Icarus112277:
FNC is non union here in NYC.

Might not be FNC or any major hiring the event though.
Theres a certain person in the area who has contracts with most all of the sporting arenas and he generally does the non-facility video crewing, be it for horse racing, baseball, basketball, hockey, most football, last dem convention in Philly, college sports etc.

99% of the work I've done at the garden has been through him, so it wouldn't surprise me. Apples and Oranges, mon Frere. You're talking about the in-house switched or iso feeds we'll all be getting, I'm talking about all the live shots that go on in various places in the arena during the event. 4 years ago we had two separate risers going - one on the side of the stage, one facing it but on the upper level (both in the Spectrum and Staples Center) The networks usually take over the sky boxes facing the stage and set up full studios.

No Network truly cares or gets greatly involved in the feeds and who crews them (thus it's out-sourced, like you said,) yet everyone crews their own liveshot positions. For the feeds all we ask is they're clean and have good audio (OR ELSE!!) However, if NABET is thinking of throwing a wrench into CNN's capability to go live with their Talent from the live positions they paid the venues Mucho Dinero for, they're asking for a major sh*tstorm from both the DNC, RNC, the Garden, etc. Nobody wants that to happen.

[Icarus112277]

It will be interesting to see what happens. I'm sure ti will mostly go well. The union guys at the Garden are very good. I still wouldn't be surprised if CNN faces retaliation for booting the union though...quite the opposite. Nothing major like outright refusa but... As for the rest of you guys shooting stand ups and gangbanging on a platform your stuff will be there and it will work.

I'll prolly get stuck on the main feed somewhere- altho I'm trying to pick something else up during that time- I'd love to be as far away from the Garden as possible when all of the pols, protestors, and assorted hicks come to cluster across the street.

Just make sure not to mess with house power...they will toss you right out of the building for that no matter who you are.

[<duhTV>]

one more reminder my little tv people...
CNN has been around since 1980. Before you could spell TV. SO that means, with the EXCEPTION of 1988... the conventions have been in union towns,
and CNN was NON UNION then. UNIONS only care about their INDIVIDUAL union. NABET and IBEW mean nothing. UNLESS you drink the local union Kool aid, they don't care about you. MY point, CNN has done conventions since 1980... no problem... as mentioned above, RNC and DNC are to invovled to let a blip appear on their coverage... Thanks FOX NEWS for showing CNN we can fire unions and no one cares. Fair and balanced.

[hey ya]

I agree, CNN dealt with the union guys at Philly. The boys got paid and that is what they wanted. They could careless about any union "brothers" in DC or NYC. Same thing goes for the Garden. As long as CNN pays for some guy to plug in the extension cord and another to place the light stand. The show will go on as always and nothing will be different.

[Baltimore Shooter]

Originally posted by Icarus112277:
quote: Originally posted by Baltimore Shooter:
Icarus,
Are you referring to Barry Hogenauer?
Warren ...Anyways, the guy I'm talking about (Barry Fialk) doesn't do the Vet. The only things that I know of him doing in Philly is that convention. Yeah, I've worked for Barry Fialk. Nice guy. Haven't worked for him in years though. Said he almost never hires people w/ gear, only without and I only work with my own gear. Oh well.
Warren

[Icarus112277]

Originally posted by Baltimore Shooter:
quote: Originally posted by Icarus112277:
quote: Originally posted by Baltimore Shooter:
Icarus,
Are you referring to Barry Hogenauer?
Warren ...Anyways, the guy I'm talking about (Barry Fialk) doesn't do the Vet. The only things that I know of him doing in Philly is that convention. Yeah, I've worked for Barry Fialk. Nice guy. Haven't worked for him in years though. Said he almost never hires people w/ gear, only without and I only work with my own gear. Oh well.
Warren Thats correct. Its pretty rare he hires ENG people. Most everything he does is off a truck and is almost always sports, although he di9d get the last convention and I have done some concerts for him as well.

Not myuch need for a gear when you have a 53 foot expando's bays stuffed to the brim.

Sports doesn't pay that well anyways.

[<Wilkes-Barre WBRE Worker>]

I am personally delighted that someone brought up the issue of what NABET did for us in Wilkes-Barre, PA. The comments suggesting that the union left us out to dry could not be further from the truth. The fact of the matter is that only a handful of workers had the courage to defend the union and take a position against the company. In its time, the union stood up against perhaps the worst managerial team in the business. Time and time again, it helped get unjustly fired employees back to work and made sure that our work was not undermined by lower-wage loving, self-respectless scabs. Perhaps the best thing that the union ever did was to aid in ridding the station of a particularly tyrannical news director.
Yes, no one likes paying dues. However in the end, it seemed like a small price to pay for such a sense of industrial peace.
The problem was not with NABET. The problem was with a group of fellow employees who were too awe-struck by a corporation continuously putting the fear of losing jobs in the hearts and minds of its workers. No one should question the King!
Ironically, I've been told that recently NABET has organized a Nexstar station in Erie, and an overwhelming number of employees there have a much better understanding of why any union in this industry is better than no union, and why NABET should be the union of choice. Maybe CNN will let its employees decide whether they want union representation. They certainly won't let the Union in without an expensive fights since they know the Union can do so much good for its employees. Think about this: If the Union could not get the employees better wages, benefits, and other working conditions, then why would Companies be so against the union?