July 30, 2021
Dear Lew Leone,
As you know Local 794 are the Technical Broadcast Engineers at WNYW. We have been here for over 75 years. From the days of early television in New York City to the digital 21st Century.
Quite an amazing testament to the engineers that built this Station and continue to provide the best possible images for our viewership.
As you may also know, we have been without a cost of living increase and fair wages for 15 years. 15 years. Something no one at this Station has had to endure. This group of dedicated employees was asked in 2008 to help the Station during the economic downturn and give back, among other financial concessions, 5% of its wages. These Employees were asked to step up in a big way, something no other employees were asked, and they complied. And we did this with the assurance that when the Company came out of that economic crisis and was financially healthy again, that this group of Employees would be made whole again. Sadly that has not happened. Not even close.
Instead we have been waiting to return to the bargaining table to reach a new deal. 11 years of negotiating. This year alone we have had two negotiating sessions cancelled because the Company couldn’t allow our full bargaining committee to come together.
And as of the writing of this letter we have no dates scheduled. And the fact remains that in the last 11 years the Union has been the initiator to return to the table for all bargaining sessions.
These Employees can no longer wait to meet with the Company in a bargaining session to know if they will receive a decent cost of living increase. And so all of us, the dedicated, professional and talented Technicians of IATSE Local 794 at WNYW/WWOR sincerely request that you consider giving all of us a reasonable cost of living increase. If this request seems forward, or out of line, that is not the intent of this letter. We know full well that wages are a subject of bargaining. However, this goes beyond bargaining. This is about decency, recognition, and the fair treatment of your Employees. No one, regardless of how difficult and drawn out negotiations have been, should have to endure this.
It is cruel and frankly demeaning and insulting.
What have we done wrong? What harm have we caused this Station? Are we less worthy Employees than everyone else? We have done nothing less than report to work every day and carry out our jobs to the highest technical levels possible. And we continue to make sure WNYW/WWOR is the best Station in the New York market.
We are simply asking for fairness for a group that has performed and met every challenge and need presented by the company. We have adapted to all the new technology that the Station felt would make it more competitive. We have delivered quality work during all of your major social, political and high profile sporting events. This Station has not had to miss one day of broadcasting during this entire COVID pandemic. Our dedication to give you quality work during these unprecedented times, is exceptional, when you realize that our safety is threatened not just by the virus, but by those who now view the media as the enemy.
And so, we ask you to consider this request with fairness and a good conscience. If it helps to discuss this in person, we would be more than happy to sit with you at your convenience.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Respectfully yours,
Nick Kroudis
Business Agent IATSE Local 794
Cc: Merrill Owens, President IATSE Local 794
