The national office of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, AFL-CIO (AFTRA), and nine of its locals have filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board, charging that the CBS network has violated the National Labor Relations Act.
AFTRA's filings on Mar. 13 with the NLRB charge that CBS violated federal law when the company unilaterally changed certain benefits plans without first bargaining with the union. On Jan. 1, 1998, CBS implemented changes to its medical, dental, 401(K), long-term disability, and other benefits plans. Additional changes to the CBS pension plan are scheduled to become effective Mar. 31.
After a protest by the union, supported by a petition signed by more than 500 AFTRA members addressed to the CBS board of directors on Jan. 9, CBS did revise its original modifications to the 401(K) plan. However, a number of issues remain unresolved.
According to a press statement released by AFTRA's national spokesperson, Dick Moore, the union is "seeking reinstatement of the previous benefits until such time as the company satisfies its legal obligation to 'bargain in good faith' with the national union and its various locals. It also seeks to have affected employees made whole for any losses suffered during this period."
In addition to AFTRA's national office in New York, which filed a charge on behalf of CBS network correspondents, AFTRA offices for the New York,
Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, Pittsburgh, Washington D.C./Baltimore, San Francisco, St. Louis, and Minneapolis locals of the union filed similar charges with the NLRB.
Said AFTRA's national executive director, Bruce York, "AFTRA hoped this step could be avoided, and we remain hopeful that this situation can be satisfactorily resolved. However, AFTRA will do whatever is required to protect the benefits and legal rights of its members."
Although no one from CBS was available to comment as press time, Jack Bergen, senior vp of CBS corporate relations, addressed this issue with reporter David Robb of The Hollywood Reporter.
"They contend we were not allowed to make these changes. We contend we were permitted to make them," said Bergen in response to AFTRA's complaints. "We regret that they've chosen this path because we continue to bargain in good faith with them. We feel confident that we'll be able to answer their concerns, and that confidence is based on the very firm belief that CBS' is one of the best benefit plans in the industry.