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IBEW to Nielsen Media: ‘Workers Deserve a Fair Contract’

March 9, 2009

Last June, technicians who install the devices that monitor television ratings for Nielsen Media Research, upset over declining wages and unfair work rules, voted overwhelmingly for union representation by Jersey City, N.J., Local 164.

More than 10 months later, they are still waiting for their first contract. Nielsen management has refused to bargain with Local 164, rejecting out of hand any of the workers’ proposals.  

“Nielsen hasn’t figured out that collective bargaining is a two-way street,” said Local 164 Business Representative Stephen Clay.

Negotiations began last September, but Nielsen management quickly made it clear it wasn’t going to bargain in good faith. The 19 proposals put forward by the local – of which more than half were codifications of work rules previously in place – were rejected by the company unless the union agreed to language that would give Nielsen the authority to change the terms of the contract at any time.

“They made it obvious early on, that they weren’t interested in serious bargaining,” said Local 164 Assistant Business Manager Thom Misciagna.

Recently, four technicians were laid off, leading the local to file unfair labor charges against the company over what it considers to be an unfair targeting of union supporters.

Negotiations went into mediation in early March.

“This is yet another example of why we need the Employee Free Choice Act,” said Third District Vice President Don Siegel, citing the bill’s first-contract arbitration provision if the parties do not reach an agreement within three months. “If this act were in place, Nielsen would have either bargained in good faith or be subject to an arbitrator’s decision. Either way the workers would have had a fair contract by now.”
The Bergen County Central Trades and Labor Council has launched an online letter writing campaign in support of Nielsen workers.

To tell Nielsen that workers deserve a fair contract, click here.