WGA, CBS 'keep the clock going'
Guild haggles for Eye scribes
The guild, seeking a new contract for the 310 workers it represents at CBS, met with negotiators for the net last week practically around the clock. Despite harsh rhetoric from labor officials in public, both sides agreed to continue talking past the time of the current contract's expiration Thursday at midnight.
On Saturday at 8 a.m. -- after meeting since noon the previous day -- negotiators in New York resolved to "keep the clock going" until Tuesday at 12:01 a.m., effectively extending the life of the contract until then.
The negotiators themselves took a break for the rest of the weekend and were to reconvene this morning at 10.
"There's been a lot of discussion of the most significant issues -- pensions and jurisdiction," a guild spokesman said Sunday. "They've spent a lot of time on those."
The guild's negotiators, representing newswriters, promo writers, editors, desk assistants and graphic artists, on Wednesday called some of the CBS demands in those areas "outrageous and unacceptable." The WGA is working with the backing of an overwhelmingly positive strike vote from guild members, although there was considerable sentiment that a strike was the last thing anyone wanted.
Among other matters, CBS negotiators were said to have demanded that the guild relinquish jurisdiction over writing and graphics for new broadcast technology.
"The company made it clear that its aim is a zero-gain contract for our members, repeating its contention that our members are expected to give back to the company for every improvement in their income, security and job satisfaction," a WGA statement said.
CBS officials have refused to comment on the talks.
