NABET members to rally community support before TPT debate

Leaders of Local 57411 of the CWA-National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians, which represents 47 TPT workers, say the station is using the uncertain economic climate as an excuse to gut its contract with union workers.

“We’re the people who light the show and arrange the sets, design the graphics, operate the cameras, run the studio floor and staff the control room,” Local 57411 President Butch Bowring said. “Our crew has won many awards for the station, and now we’re simply asking for a fair contract that respects our work.”

The rally, set to begin at 5 p.m. Friday, will feature music, a march and speakers – including labor-endorsed gubernatorial candidate Mark Dayton. Mears Park is located off Sibley Street, between Fifth and Sixth streets, in St. Paul’s Lowertown district.

Union leaders and TPT management are scheduled to meet with a federal mediator next week, and Bowring hopes Friday’s rally will send a clear message that NABET members are unified behind their contract campaign – and have strong support in the community.

“Our union family can no longer continue to accept layoffs, threats of outsourcing our jobs and (being) devalued as the professionals who’ve build TPT’s reputation of quality,” Bowring said.

For more information on the rally, contact Bowring at 612-308-2602 or e-mail him.