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Citing regressive proposals in current collective bargaining, 25 anchors and reporters working at Channel 3-WFSB in Hartford, CT are wearing black on-air to protest bad-faith negotiations on the part of owner Meredith Corporation. A half-page ad [see below] in today’s Hartford Courant explains why these broadcasters – members of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) -- felt they had no other recourse when Meredith walked away from the negotiating table and "turned the lights out on 25 years of positive labor relations." According to Tom Higgins, Broadcast Director, New England AFTRA Local [based in Boston], there are several critical issues at stake. "The contract Meredith is offering would, among other things, allow the company to replace our union members with subcontractors, fire anyone and not pay severance, and prevent someone from working at any other Connecticut TV station for up to one year after leaving WFSB. But the real story is how a big corporation can make decisions that impact the people who live in and serve the local community." In the ad, the broadcasters state, "We live and work in this community. We take our responsibility to this community seriously. As professional journalists, it is our job to tell your stories…the Meredith Corporation, the Iowa-based owners of Channel 3, does not value our relationship with the community or our commitment to telling its stories." AFTRA is also asking members and others to show their support for the Anchors and Reporters at WFSB-TV by calling the station and asking them to return to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair contract. AFTRA provides the contact information at WFSB-TV: General Manager Elden Hale at (860) 244-1754 or Elden.Hale@Meredith.com. The agreement between AFTRA and WFSB expired November 2002. AFTRA also represents broadcasters at numerous television and radio stations throughout New England. Jayne
Wallace
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