News

11^th May 2009. Washington D.C., USA.

The UNI-MEI India Coordinator and the Director UNIDOC [Delhi and NCR ] Sis. Anjali Sinha had a series of meetings with the senior representatives of the America’s NBC & ABC’s union, NABET CWA. The meetings cum discussions were held on May 11 in the union’s office. Among those with whom Sis. Anjali held discussions on wide ranging topics included Bro. Dan Mohaney, Assistant to the President and Chief Financial Officer as well as their Latin America representative. Subsequently, She met the union’s functionaries in the areas of health and safety.

The discussions that began with brief presentations on the Union’s works and areas of present concerns moved on to UNI and UNI MEI’s activities in India and then spreading out worldwide. It included explanation on the Indian trade union movement and in particular the broadcasting unions both in the public and private sectors. The regulations with regards to its functioning and extent of radio and television influence on the public at large. In the process mention of the ongoing general elections and manner of its coverage by the radio and television also came up. Subsequently, detailed presentation of trade union movement in the USA was made. The meetings also led to situation where comparisons was made between the movements of the two democratic countries.

Detailed presentation and explanation thereon included UNI work in India and extent of structural development so as to reach extensively in this vast country. UNI’s presence in both traditional and emerging industries were highlighted. It was explained that UNI’s presence ranges from post and telecom to employees in the property services, private security, commerce, information and technology, and media. As such membership organizing is receiving main attention of the UNI work in India. India is one of the largest producer of motion picture as such there was obviously interest in the same. It was explained that opening of the Indian economy had also influence the film and art sector. The introduction of technology and completion to meet a rapidly changing taste have caused shortening of production time which inturn has made increasing demands on the media workers. Such pressure are having impact on not only safety at the work but health of the media workers. Anjali went on further to explain the activities undertaken by UNI MEI for the Indian film industry, i.e. the recent proposed project on Health and Safety issues spanning at the macro and micro level which is covering the surface as well as the field level. On comparing notes with NABET-CWA, there was an understanding that one of the UNI MEI’s India affiliate ARTEE work at the same level. ARTEE too is a television and radio broadcasting union.

It was explained that the NABET-CWA jointly represents about 610,000 workers which includes 10,000 workers from the broadcast field having affiliation to NABET and the rest are from telecommunication [public and private sector] in America are member of CWA. Their members are mainly from the telecommunications (as it started from AT&T), printing and news media, public service, health care, cable television, general manufacturing, electronic, gas and electric utilities and other fields. It represents mainly the workers of ABC and NBC which are the “red and blue networks” in more popular terms.

Besides about the NABET-CWA, Anjali was also informed about the inception and merger of NABET CWA. The NABET and CWA joined hands [merged] in 1994 to form one union i.e. NABET-CWA. Later they also affiliated themselves to the All American national trade union center, AFL CIO . This enabled them to lobby and negotiate at the state level. Presently it is supporting the Employee Free Choice Act campaign. The NABET-CWA was also part of the ‘Code Pink’ campaign on Mothers’ Day outside the White House calling “No to War”. During the discussion, it was felt that there is need to enhance women’s participation in the American trade union movement as they are not adequately represented and their issues also do not receive due attention. But then it is a global issue.

NABET-CWA had undertaken many negotiations on behalf of its member workers in the industry and is watching with great interest the entry of Disney in India (as ABC is part of Disney). Besides that, they have been strongly working on the health and safety issues for their members. There are manuals as well as occupational health and safety guidelines for the workers. However, it was also mentioned that the state government looks into training of it workforce on occupational health and safety which is quite general. Seeing its intensive involvement in the area of health and safety, there is lot for India and other countries in Asia to learn from their experience.