Presidential Candidate Takes Interest in Local Labor Dispute

Congressman Kucinich takes a stand with the members of the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians (NABET) Local 22 against Channel 8 in their ongoing dispute.

Presidential Candidate Takes Interest in Local Labor Dispute

For Immediate Release: Jan. 27, 2004

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Democratic Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich and his Rochester-area campaign volunteers, took a stand today in the ongoing labor dispute between WROC Channel 8 and the members of the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians (NABET) Local 22. The members of Local 22 have been working without a contract since their existing contract with Nexstar Broadcasting (parent company of WROC) expired on May 31, 2003. They are likely to lose money with the company's offer of a wage increase below the cost of living, and its demand that employees pay for their own disability insurance.

The local campaign organization for Kucinich for President has removed WROC 8 from its media contacts list and committed to not working with WROC news crews or purchasing any advertising on WROC. Kucinich volunteers have been asked to deny permission to WROC in using their images, likenesses, voices or comments until an agreement has been reached with Local 22. Further, WROC will not be invited to cover any local campaign appearances by Congressman Kucinich as long as Local 22 is without a new contract. Kucinich volunteers are encouraging people not to watch WROC and encouraging businesses not to advertise on WROC. All of these policies will remain in place until the dispute is resolved. The Kucinich campaign is supporting Local 22's efforts. Union members are running a highly visible advertising campaign, using buses and billboards to draw attention to their cause.

"I applaud Rochester volunteers for my campaign for taking these steps to support NABET Local 22 in its efforts to negotiate a fair contract," said Congressman Kucinich (Dem., Ohio). "And I applaud the union's efforts. Organized labor stands almost alone while across this country corporations have cut wages and benefits, slashed working hours, tried to undermine wage and hour provisions, reneged on contracts, and jettisoned retirements through bankruptcy strategies. As President I intend to protect the right to organize and the right to strike. And I will make my first act in office repealing NAFTA and withdrawing from the WTO in order to protect jobs with fair bilateral trade agreements based on workers' rights, human rights, and environmental quality principles."

"As much as we want to be visible in the media," said Brian Cummings, the Rochester Coordinator for the Kucinich Campaign," working with WROC during a labor dispute would be inconsistent with what we're about as a movement."

Kucinich's father was a Teamster who drove a truck for 35 years and died with his first retirement check in his pocket. One of Congressman Kucinich's first jobs was at the Plain Dealer newspaper in Cleveland. As a copyboy, he joined the American Newspaper Guild. Years later, working at TV 8 in Cleveland, he belonged to AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists). Today, he is still a member of the Cameraman's Union, the IATSE (International Association of Theatrical and Stage Employees) of the AFL-CIO.

For more information: http://www.kucinich.us/labor/

For Rep. Kucinich's Schedule: http://www.kucinich.us/schedule.htm

To schedule interview with Kucinich or spokesperson: interviews@kucinich.us

Local Contacts: Brian Cummings 585-289-8156, cell 585-520-4435

National Contacts: David Swanson 301-772-0210, cel 202-329-7847, fax 301-772-7293, swanson@kucinich.us ; Susan Mainzer 213-840-0077, susan.mainzer@kucinich.us