The past thirty years the company (NBC) has dictated the terms of our NABET negotiated contracts. Our current contract took over three years to be agreed to and only after NABET recommended a “Yes” vote. NABET is a TV station union, in the throws of automation, and in its present form is with out clout and either can not properly represent its members. Now The CWA is just throwing dirt on our coffin by asking NABET to join with the “Newspaper Guild” another dying bargaining unit. It’s obvious to all that CWA has little to no interest in NABET. As for those who sit atop NABET, we see no plan for improving the future. It is they’re duty as well as they’re responsibility to explore all options and consider what’s in the best interest of they’re dues paying Members. Understand, NABET negotiated Contracts today are the worst Contracts in the Broadcast Industry. Over the past 10 years live sports has exploded along with entertainment. In this same period of time, IATSE has organized most major cities with local wages and benefits that are greater than that of a National Broadcast Group under NABET agreements. IATSE in organizing “The Golf Channel” yielded over 90% signatures requesting representation. The company’s current response to this is wages offered between $45 to $51 an hour and “FULL MEDICAL, LIFE INS and 401k BENEFITS” for those who work just 14 “Golf Channel Shows” (not weeks but shows). We only bring this up because IATSE has clout. Years ago NABET came under the CWA. How’s that working out? Isn’t it time to ask NABET to begin thinking in another direction in order to survive. We are going up against entertainment/sports conglomerates and it makes sense to team up with the largest union in Entertainment/Sports. You now have the power to fix this. If you think our next NABET represented contract with NBCUNI/Comcast will be any better, than like our officers stay the course. If on the other hand you choose to stand up and believe it’s time for a new stronger union than it is TIME FOR CHANGE! How do we begin this process? First we petition the National Labor Relations Board for a “De-authorization” vote. This is not, I repeat NOT a vote for “De-certification”. De-authorization is a vote supervised by the NLRB that allows us to withhold are union dues but work under the existing contract. If thirty percent of current membership signs the de-authorization Petition, than a Vote will be held and if 51 percent of us approve de-authorization paying dues no longer becomes mandatory. By withholding our dues this is the first step to demanding change! Make your voice heard and understand we do control our own destiny. Let’s hold those running NABET accountable. It’s time that NABET and NBC/Comcast hear loud and clear, that we demand better representation. ________________________________________________________________________ All signatures below are confidential and can only be seen by the National Labor Relations Board. I urge you to sign this online petition make your voice heard for change. We the undersigned employees, constituting 30% or more of the bargaining unit covered by a contract between local 11 NABET and NBC/Universal wish to withdraw the authority of Local 11 of NABET to enter into and enforce the union security clause in our contract. The undersigned employees petition the National Labor Relations Board to hold a de-authorization election to determine whether the majority of employees wish to withdraw the authority of the union and the employer to enter into and enforce the union shop clause in the contract.