Comcast rebuffs WGA unionization
Effort to unionize 10 shows meets with resistance
DAVE MCNARY | Variety
November 19, 2010
The Writers Guild of America West has launched a drive to unionize the writers at 10 shows at Comcast Entertainment Group but the effort’s been rebuffed by Comcast.
The WGA said that more than 80% of the writers on the shows have signed union authorization cards, seeking recognition of the guild as their bargaining agent. The skeins include “Attack of the Show,” “Chelsea Lately,” “E! News,” “E! Specials,” “Fashion Police,” “G4 Specials,” “The Dish,” “The Soup,” “Web Soup” and “X-Play.”
Comcast responded Thursday by asserting that it would not give recognition to the WGA unless it filed a petition for a secret ballot election with the National Labor Relations Board.
“We believe that our employees need to exercise their right to vote on a matter as important to them as union representation,” said senior VP Kathy Mandato. “Therefore, today we advised the WGA that we are not willing to instantly recognize them. We want employees to learn all the facts about union representation before voting as to whether or not they want to be part of a union.”
WGA West exec diretor David Young responded by blasting Comcast Entertainment Group, saying that the writers who signed authorization cards had hoped Comcast would behave in an “honorable” manner and agree to their desire for union representation without delay rather than insisting on an NLRB election.
Read more @ Variety.
