Workhouse Publicity announces WGA picket against DISNEY-ABC

The Writers Guild of America, East will hold informational picketing from 12:30pm to 2:30pm on Monday, April 22nd at Disney-ABC located at 77 West 66th Street in New York.

WORKHOUSE PUBLICITY
A FULL-SERVICE PROMOTIONAL FIRM

18 APRIL 2002
PUBLICITY · PROMOTION · SPECIAL EVENTS · SPONSORSHIP

CONTACT:
ADAM NELSON, CEO
WORKHOUSE PUBLICITY
TELEPHONE: 212. 334. 8006
FAX: 212. 334. 1919

--BREAKING NEWS--

WGA, EAST/ DISNEY-ABC RETURN TO THE TABLE:
NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE AFTER CONTRACT EXPIRATION
INFORMATIONAL PICKETING BEGINS MONDAY, APRIL 22nd AT ABC HEADQUARTERS

NEW YORK- (April 17th, 2002), The Writers Guild of America, East will hold informational picketing from 12:30pm to 2:30pm on Monday, April 22nd at Disney-ABC located at 77 West 66th Street in New York. So far unable to reach an agreement, the Writers Guild of America, East and Disney-ABC resume negotiations on Tuesday, April 23, 2002. The current contract that covers Newswriters, Promotion Writers, Editors, Graphic Artists (DC), Researchers (DC), Desk Assistants (DC) and Production Assistants (DC) expired on January 31st. At issue is Disney-ABCs efforts to de-unionize the positions of four writers at WABC-TV and ten writers at NewsOne, as well as their refusal to deal with heavy workloads and long hours at Good Morning America.

Although weve received a 95% positive strike authorization from our members, we still hope we can get a deal. Two weeks ago we reached a deal with CBS, we're hoping that Disney-ABC can also agree to a contract" said Herb Sargent, President Writers Guild East. Progress has been made, but we still remain divided on several key issues."

In view of the hard work and dedication of Disney-ABC employees during September 11th and its aftermath, recognized with a Peabody Award, it is difficult to understand why they would take this unyielding anti-union position."

What Disney-ABC wants in this negotiation appears to have nothing to do with traditional subjects of collective bargaining- wages, hours and terms of employment," said Mona Mangan, Executive Director, Writers Guild East. What they want in this negotiation is to have the union go away and leave them free to get rid of their older and more experienced employees and to extract long hours and avoid paying overtime. Last month it was Ted Koppel, this month its the writers. It makes you wonder just how committed Disney- ABC is to the news."