Question of the day
Wednesday, Mar 23, 2022 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Current…
Broadcast technicians employed by WTTW in Chicago have gone on strike after nearly a year of collective bargaining negotiations and concerns over protecting union jobs.
Local Union 1220 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers called the strike March 16. IBEW represents around two dozen workers at WTTW, including technicians, graphic artists and floor crew members.
Workers allege that station management has threatened their work jurisdiction in an attempt to hire nonunion labor. Over the last four years, the union has filed four grievances that advanced to arbitration. In all cases, arbitrators ruled in favor of the union.
“The last decision was awarded just days before collective bargaining began on May 7, 2021,” according to an IBEW statement. “The night after bargaining had begun, WTTW’s counsel gave intent to terminate the entire agreement, setting the tone going forward.”
* Sun-Times…
Mayor Lori Lightfoot and other politicians turned out in support Monday of striking workers at WTTW-Channel 11, calling on the station to negotiate a fair contract that preserves union jobs.
“There can be no question that Chicago is a union town,” Lightfoot told pickets outside WTTW’s studios, 5400 N. St. Louis Ave. “And as we’ve seen over and over again, there’s immense power in people coming together and working and making sure that workers’ rights are affirmed.”
* Tribune…
The WTTW proposals under Micek are “directly attacking the jurisdiction” of the technicians and a prelude to phasing out the union, Rizzo said.
“That assertion is false,” Julia Maish, a WTTW spokeswoman, said in an email Monday. “WTTW President & CEO Sandra Cordova Micek has never said this and in fact she makes clear that she supports and respects the work of our IBEW Local 1220 union employees. The work we do in service of the public depends on the experience, skills, and work of every employee on our team, including IBEW members.”
The station said it was the union that chose to strike after receiving the company’s latest proposal March 16, and that WTTW stands ready to resume negotiations.
When the strike was called at 6 p.m. Wednesday, WTTW scrapped that evening’s planned live broadcast of “Chicago Tonight,” opting instead for a taped “best of” episode. But Thursday night, WTTW resumed production of the nightly 7 p.m. newscast, with executive producer Jay Smith and other management personnel handling the technical aspects of the live broadcast.
* From the CFL…
On Wednesday, March 16, members of IBEW Local 1220 called a strike against Window to the World (”WTTW”) Communications, the Chicagoland PBS affiliate. IBEW represents over two dozen technicians, graphic artists and floor crew members, responsible for various productions and shows on the channel, including the nightly local affairs program Chicago Tonight.
We understand that WTTW is inviting candidates to appear for a virtual filming, which will become part of their “2022 Primary Election Voter Guide.” However we trust that candidates, especially those seeking an endorsement from the Chicago Federation of Labor, will honor IBEW’s strike.
In Solidarity,
Andrea Kluger
Deputy Chief of Staff—Government Affairs
Chicago Federation of Labor
That’ll give some candidates heartburn, especially those with constituents who watch a lot of Public Television. As I’ve already told you, Ald. Pat Dowell’s congressional campaign won’t be participating in the station’s virtual voter guide.
* The Question: Should candidates refuse to participate in the WTTW voter guide project as long as the strike continues? Explain.
…Adding… Press release…
Litesa Wallace, Democratic candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 17th district, on Wednesday announced that she will honor IBEW’s strike against WTTW Communications and will not participate in candidate interviews with the Chicago PBS affiliate while the strike is ongoing.
“As the daughter of two union members, I stand with organized labor,” Wallace said. “Although I believe that WTTW serves an important role in our democracy by offering candidates the opportunity to make their case directly to voters, I cannot in good conscience violate IBEW’s strike by participating in the 2022 Primary Election Voter Guide at this time. For the sake of all concerned, I hope this strike will be resolved quickly, and I look forward to participating in this important project in the future.”
- NIU Grad - Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 1:26 pm:
They should, but that is quite the pill to swallow.
For the lesser-known races, I’ve known many people who look into those races at the last minute and do end up watching those videos. Outside of newspaper endorsements, that’s one of the few things that come up during last minute searches.
- Downstate - Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 1:31 pm:
Making a choice on supporting or not supporting a strike goes to knowing the issue(s). What’s being demanded (by either side)? And what is the current package of pay and benefits?
If the side asking you to support them (union or company) isn’t willing to share that information, I’d be disinclined to blindly choose one side over the other.
- Squid - Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 1:33 pm:
Not unless wttw is being unfair which I really haven’t seen. They look like the hostage in this (not sure who is the bad actor here, usually fault on both sides).
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 1:36 pm:
Probably more “fuzzy ethics” as campaigns are going to need to decide if not being in the voter guide program is that much of a hurt than being in the program to help with a little voter ID(?)
Should they?
I would be against it, how much more of a positive is it being party than deciding to side with labor.
- Hannibal Lecter - Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 1:44 pm:
If you are running a campaign that purports to support working families, then you should refrain from participating in any activities being organized by WTTW. Labor is going to endorse candidates. If you want their backing, you have to show that you have their back. This should be a no-brainer unless you do not care about organized labor.
- Rabid - Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 1:49 pm:
No, DPI should issue another union statement for it’s members
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 2:23 pm:
We don’t cross picket lines in the Arsenal household.
- Matty - Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 2:23 pm:
Yes, they should participate. The breadth and reach of shows like Chicago Tonight far exceeds any possible negative perceptions of crossing a picket line that the viewers may not even be aware of.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 2:24 pm:
Some of you may need to think about Chicago-area Democrats in primaries and what could happen if the CFL goes against them.
- Pot calling kettle - Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 2:25 pm:
Downstate makes an interesting point, but negotiations are often too detailed in terms of background to make that kind of call. It is better to err on the side of caution and stay away until the fight is resolved.
Personally, I will not cross a picket line without asking the picketers about the dispute and whether or not they mind if I cross; if they mind, I do not cross. (Not all pickets are “do not cross.” Some are informational and some do not mind if you cross for certain purposes.) In this case, the picketers are specifically asking candidates to not cross the line; if I were a candidate, I would not cross.
- DCC - Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 2:28 pm:
Crossing a picket line is unforgiveable and the only thing I can think of that is worse is crossing the line when the strike is over an employer trying to bust the union.
- Vote Union, mediocrity is great - Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 2:55 pm:
We look for picket lines to cross in this household.
- DuPage - Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 3:42 pm:
They should not cross the picket line. The union has already stated what is in dispute, I don’t have much sympathy for WTTW management’s union-busting position. Perhaps other unionized TV stations in Chicago will feature some candidate interviews.
- Pam - Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 4:09 pm:
If you cross a picket line, you’re a scab.
- MisterJayEm - Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 4:33 pm:
“Show your leadership by standing with management, and business owners”
Great advice for anyone trying to win in Chicago’s GOP primary.
Terrible advice for anyone trying to win in Chicago’s Democratic primary or general elections.
– MrJM
- lake county democrat - Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 5:14 pm:
I want all these people saying crossing a picket line is unforgiveable to meet some of the suburban teacher unions who told librarians/janitors/nurses that they would NOT honor their picket lines if they went on strike.
CFL should make a carve-out for the debates - there aren’t any good alternative forums and is it really going to impact labor negotiations that much? Of course, they won’t. So, while I wouldn’t hold it against anyone appearing at the debate and think they should, I wouldn’t hold it against them if they bowed out.
- Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 6:54 pm:
Hard to fathom there is widespread liberal backlash to public television
- Father Jones - Thursday, Mar 24, 22 @ 11:51 am:
==I want all these people saying crossing a picket line is unforgiveable to meet some of the suburban teacher unions who told librarians/janitors/nurses that they would NOT honor their picket lines if they went on strike.==
No strike clauses exist in all collective bargaining agreements governed by the Illinois Education Labor Relations Act: teachers and education support personnel. It would be illegal to withhold services if another bargaining unit were on strike and your bargaining unit were still under contract.