Judge Orders CNN to Rehire 110 Workers...

[PSUWx]

So how is this enforced..? Does CNN simply have to take a loss or whatever in bringing them back, or fire 110 different people to make room..?

In a decision made public yesterday, a judge has ordered CNN “to rehire 110 workers who were fired because they were union members. CNN also was ordered to recognize the workers’ unions, National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians-CWA (NABET-CWA) locals 31 and 11.” From the AFL-CIO blog:

Judge Arthur Amchan found that CNN violated the rights of more than 250 employees at the network’s bureaus in Washington, D.C., and New York City when it ended its subcontract with Team Video Services (TVS) [in 2003-2004], whose employees were represented by NABET-CWA. He also ruled that CNN discriminated against TVS employees who wanted to continue working at CNN’s bureaus to avoid having to recognize and bargain with the union.

Ed McEwan, president of Local 11, responded, “Everyone in America should know that the network management we rely on to bring us the news are not above the illegal practices that they headline on a regular basis.”

[News Is Broken]

Hmmm, gee maybe instead of making 50 bajillion dollars a year, Ted "Cuckoo Clock" Turner could only make 49 bajillion. That'd free up some money I think.

[New York'rr]

When Obama and the Democrats get their way and pass the notorious Union "Card Check" law, there will be judges interfering with the operation of a lot more businesses with a lot more at stake than just a lame-o left wing news channel.

[Kace]

This, however doesn't get the philosophical question attached to it. :whistle:

[Diggin' Bear]

Hmmm, gee maybe instead of making 50 bajillion dollars a year, Ted "Cuckoo Clock" Turner could only make 49 bajillion. That'd free up some money I think.

Turner sold CNN to Time Warner years ago.

[Spike]

So how is this enforced..? Does CNN simply have to take a loss or whatever in bringing them back, or fire 110 different people to make room..?

Think about what you're asking. It's been five years. It's not like those 110 people have been sitting around with their thumbs up their asses waiting for this verdict. I would suspect that most of them--if not all of them--have other jobs.

Will some of them want to come back? Probably. Some of them took lower-paying jobs elsewhere. But many of them took jobs with the other networks at similar pay levels, and now they have five years of seniority and vacation benefits saved up. It's inconceivable that CNN will have to hire back all 110 of them. I'd be surprised if even half of them returned. Even in the cases where they landed in jobs making less money, if they're happy where they are I would suspect the majority will just want to stay where they are and enjoy that check for back pay rather than return to work for people who treated them the way CNN did.

CNN can absorb the handful of people who will return. CNN's bigger problem is the back pay and the reinstatement of the union. That order also requires CNN to pay back dues to the union for those five years on behalf of its employees. This is going to co$t them.

[PSUWx]

This, however doesn't get the philosophical question attached to it. :whistle:

Yes...for that would be then be a redundant topic :rockon:

...unless you see something judiciophilosophical in it all :whistle:

[TVMattNYC]

When Obama and the Democrats get their way and pass the notorious Union "Card Check" law, there will be judges interfering with the operation of a lot more businesses with a lot more at stake than just a lame-o left wing news channel.

Thank GOD.

At least SOMETHING positive would come out of this new administration.

[TVMattNYC]

Think about what you're asking. It's been five years. It's not like those 110 people have been sitting around with their thumbs up their asses waiting for this verdict. I would suspect that most of them--if not all of them--have other jobs.

Will some of them want to come back? Probably. Some of them took lower-paying jobs elsewhere. But many of them took jobs with the other networks at similar pay levels, and now they have five years of seniority and vacation benefits saved up. It's inconceivable that CNN will have to hire back all 110 of them. I'd be surprised if even half of them returned. Even in the cases where they landed in jobs making less money, if they're happy where they are I would suspect the majority will just want to stay where they are and enjoy that check for back pay rather than return to work for people who treated them the way CNN did.

CNN can absorb the handful of people who will return. CNN's bigger problem is the back pay and the reinstatement of the union. That order also requires CNN to pay back dues to the union for those five years on behalf of its employees. This is going to co$t them.

Thank you, Boo.

This is precisely why our contemporary labor law is stacked AGAINST the employee, and FOR the employer.

I've been directly involved in several organizing actions at non-union shops in NYC. One of my unions tried to organize the writers at MTV. Believe it or not, the pay rate for these writers (most of them, of course, young and fresh out of college) was $100 "per shift". But MTV management had quite a flexible definition of what constituted a "shift". You were expected to work until you finished whatever "project" you were working on (short breaks were OK). However, this meant a "shift" could last anywhere from 8 hours (hardly ever) to 12 or 16 hours (pretty much the norm) or even 24 hours or longer! One writer told me he worked a 72 hour "shift" for the flat rate of $100! When I asked him how anyone could work 72 hours straight, he explained to me that management allowed them -- even encouraged them -- to take "power naps" on cots in their offices during their "shifts".

When these writers tried to organize, they were summarily fired, which of course is blatantly illegal. The union knew that, and Viacom knew that. The problem is that we've allowed companies such as Viacom to get so huge and powerful that it's cheaper for them to purposely break the law and hire lawyers to drag these lawsuits out over the course of YEARS, knowing full well that the plaintiffs don't have the time, energy, or MONEY for a protracted lawsuit. THEY have to focus their energies on finding new jobs ... they can't wait 3 years for a resolution, because their next rent check is due next month, not in 2011.

[News Is Broken]

Matt: $100 a day (sometimes less) in NYC? They'd have been better off begging in the streets! Who takes such a job?

I agree with you that MTV management SUCKS for shafting these kids but damn, didn't they realize how f-ed up that gig was?

[Produce man]

Turner sold CNN to Time Warner years ago.WOw, NIB doesn't have a freakin' clue, huh?:rolleyes:

[News Is Broken]

WOw, NIB doesn't have a freakin' clue, huh?:rolleyes:

This, from the man(?) who has made himself into a LEGEND of stupidity. Wow, indeed.

[Kace]

In fairness, News is sick at the moment.

[News Is Broken]

In fairness, News is sick at the moment.

Well I've always been sick, it's just that... oh wait nevermind, you were talking about a physical illness.

[Produce man]

In fairness, News is sick at the moment.Plus, I hear he has a cold...:whistle:

[TVMattNYC]

Matt: $100 a day (sometimes less) in NYC? They'd have been better off begging in the streets! Who takes such a job?

I agree with you that MTV management SUCKS for shafting these kids but damn, didn't they realize how f-ed up that gig was?

No, they didn't.

Viacom feeds off the enthusiasm and naivete of freshly-minted graduates who are just so darn thrilled to be **working at MTV right in Times Square!**

[Bureau Chief]

Ok shifting gears a bit...and back to Ted Turner..did you all know that he is the single largest private land owner in the US? He owns a fair piece of the Great Plains states.

[Barnburner]

There is no way anyone can tell any company how many workers it has to have. This one has overturn all over it.

[Spike]

There is no way anyone can tell any company how many workers it has to have. This one has overturn all over it.

Baloney.

[Barnburner]

Okay, how many employees does the government mandate Dairy Queen have? How many does Sears need? How about my lemonade stand?

It's silly. If they "have" to take these employees back they'll either refuse to comply or fire 110 others somewhere.

[Spike]

Okay, how many employees does the government mandate Dairy Queen have? How many does Sears need? How about my lemonade stand?

It's silly. If they "have" to take these employees back they'll either refuse to comply or fire 110 others somewhere.

Baloney.

[Barnburner]

Keep believing it's baloney. That's about all you can do or say.
Unions are just about done. After GM or Ford declares bankruptcy and breaks the union, watch the stampede.

[News Is Broken]

No, they didn't.

Viacom feeds off the enthusiasm and naivete of freshly-minted graduates who are just so darn thrilled to be **working at MTV right in Times Square!**

Well, in retrospect post-cold-induced-brain-malfunction, I'm sure "working at MTV right in Times Square" is a good way to get frequently laid. But it still should pay better than $100 a day.

[Spike]

Unions are just about done.

I'm sure CNN wishes that weren't baloney.

[wx or not]

Ok shifting gears a bit...and back to Ted Turner..did you all know that he is the single largest private land owner in the US? He owns a fair piece of the Great Plains states.
Which is nice and all, but did you know that he's trying to get America acclamated to the taste of bison meat? He raises the stupid things and would love the corner the market on their sale as a food staple.

[Mighty Dyckerson]

...and back to Ted Turner...He owns a fair piece of the Great Plains states.

I hear he's trying to colorize them.

[s'news]

Mmm. Bison.

[Kace]

Bucknell or Howard?

[22]

Ted HAS cornered the market on Bison meat. Haven;t any of you eaten at "Ted's Montana Grill"?
The rumour here in the ATL is that Ted would like to be able to travel from Canada to Mexico and stay on his own land. Colorado is standing in his way.

[22]

By the way, I am not in his new book.

[Produce man]

Ted HAS cornered the market on Bison meat. Haven;t any of you eaten at "Ted's Montana Grill"?
The rumour here in the ATL is that Ted would like to be able to travel from Canada to Mexico and stay on his own land. Colorado is standing in his way.Sounds like he's channeling Howard Hughes.