ITV Agrees to Remedy Violations of Federal Labor Law

NEW YORK, NY (AUGUST 20, 2015) – Writer-producers at ITV’s New York-based nonfiction TV production company voted to be represented by the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) several years ago, but the company has engaged in bad faith bargaining since that time in an effort to thwart its employees’ decision to unionize.

This week the company sent a notice, drafted by the National Labor Relations Board, telling current and former bargaining unit employees that it will not prevent its employees from exercising their “right to form, join, or assist a union [and to] choose a representative to bargain with [the company] on your behalf”.  This notice to employees arises out of unfair labor practice charges the WGAE filed against the company several months ago complaining that the company had refused to provide basic information about employee enrollment in a health insurance plan.  The NLRB’s headquarters in Washington is still investigating several additional ULP charges against ITV.

“We are pleased the company has notified its employees it will not violate their right to union representation,” said WGAE Executive Director Lowell Peterson.  “We look forward to receiving the health benefits information we are entitled to review under the law.  We remain utterly mystified that a giant multinational media corporation like ITV continues to engage in legalistic maneuvers to avoid negotiating a collective bargaining agreement with the WGAE.  This is not a viable business strategy for a media company trying to expand its presence in the U.S. television market.”

ABOUT WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA, EAST

The Writers Guild of America, East, AFL-CIO (WGAE) is a labor union representing writers in motion pictures, television, cable, digital media and broadcast news. The Guild negotiates and administers contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of its members; conducts programs, seminars and events on issues of interest to writers; and presents writers’ views to various bodies of government. For more information on the Writers Guild of America, East, visit wgaeast.org.

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