Clear Channel and its Tennessee lawyer stalled bargaining for 18 months before claiming negotiations were at an impasse. Clear Channel implemented a piece work pay system that cuts pay by $60 a day or 30% overall, a 7-day work week, eliminated the grievance and union security protections, eliminated pension and annunity funds, and cut health insurance to the point of eliminating coverage for workers and their families. Clear Channel’s actions severely changed the wages, hours and working conditions without bargaining.
(Democratic Party Chair John Walsh)
Clear Channel has been flying in scab crews from Texas, Florida, Georgia and other parts of the country to take the jobs of Massachusetts workers. In addition, Clear Channel has refused to provide the State’s Department of Employment and Training with records and information.
(State Representative and Fifth Congressional District candidate Jamie Eldridge)
Two weeks after Local 391 members struck, members of IBEW Local 103 joined them on the picket line. Unions from across the state have stepped in to support the Local 391 and IBEW Local 103 strikers – from IBEW Local 2222 members who staff the picket lines twice a week, to Teamsters Local 25 who played a key role in the April 19th rally.
The Mass. Nurses’ Association has joined the picket line along with the Boston APWU, Operating Engineers, Bricklayers, IBEW Local 123, Roofers, SEIU Local 509, and UFCW 1445.
The Greater Boston, North Shore, Merrimack Valley and Norfolk County Central Labor Councils have all contacted elected officials and lent picket support.
Strike solidarity has not been limited to Massachusetts. On the day of the rally Sheet Metal Workers Local 137 in NY leafleted Clear Channel’s east coast corporate offices. Local 137 faces negotiations with Clear Channel this summer.
The Revere and Cambridge City Councils and the Somerville Board of Aldermen have passed city ordinances requiring Clear Channel scab crews to be accompanied by police details, ordered inspections of all billboards and created penalties – including the revoking of billboard permits – for failure to respond to maintenance problems. Boston, Everett, Chelsea, Salem and Medford all have similar ordinances prepared for action.
On Thursday April 26th, a US District judge denied Clear Channel’s request for a temporary injunction which would have barred Local 391 from picketing and expressing First Amendment rights against Clear Channel scabs.
Clear channel needs to become a far better company, from how it treats its workers, to how it allocates the airwaves of its many radio stations. This type of disrespect for workers has no place in Massachusetts.
CC are a bunch of rats in their best days.
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I love the photo of John Walsh…he looks like he really fits in there for some reason…
Great pictures! I appreciate that Tim Murray, John Walsh and Rep. Eldridge were all there for labor. Jamie has a clear record for labor and will be a strong advocate for labor in Congress.