WGRZ Labor Dispute,
Disney's Not So
Wonderful World Detailed

by Tom Dolan
Unit Chair

Sound familiar?

The Buffalo AFL-CIO Council wants union members to join the struggle against two giant, profit-hungry corporations--both accused of anti-labor activities. Buffalo News unit members--especially-- should remember these disputes because the Council stood solidly behind our union during our recent contract struggle.

First, Guild members should turn off local news shows on Channel 2 (WGRZ-TV) until further notice. WGRZ, which is owned by the labor-busting Gannett Corp., has been dragging its feet in contract talks with NABET Local 25, which represents about 60 off-camera workers at the station.

The union's contract expired in September and talks have slowed down since then, according to Robert Mancuso, Local 25's chief steward, who outlined the contract disputes at the November meeting of the Buffalo Council. Among other sticking points, Gannett wants to restrict moonlighting by employees and demands the right to put workers on 24-hour call.

Gannett -- Guild members should also recall -- is one of two corporations behind the protracted Detroit newspapers strike. Plans for the Channel 2 boycott include bus shelter signs depicting the NBC peacock as a turkey.

Next, the script for a labor story that would sweep the Oscars -- except, OOPS -- the villain happens to be a family-oriented film studio that built its reputation on all-American virtues like fairness.

What's Disney paying its workers in Haiti to produce kids' $19.99 garments based on the hit movie 101 Dalmatians?

Answer: Six cents a garment.

(Subtext: Contrast this with the way Disney treated the Dalmatian puppies during the filming of the movie. According to the company, it gave pups round-the-clock care in special dog motels staffed by personal trainers. "Our animals were treated better than most humans," the company glowed in one of its press kits.")

And, finally, what should we do? Answer: Engage in a consumer boycott of Disney and its products until the company stops overpaying its executives and underpaying its workers overseas. If you own stock in the company, send a nasty note to Disney's management.