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CBS, IBEW Reach Tentative Contract Agreement

July 5, 2011

CBS and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers announced they have reached a tentative agreement on a contract covering 2,800 technicians.  Once ratified by the affected workforce, the contract will be effective through January 31, 2015.

The current collective bargaining agreement was scheduled to expire on January 31, 2012.  In 2010 the parties extended the current agreement and committed to reach a new, long term one by July 31, 2011.

IBEW International President Ed Hill stated:

We are pleased to conclude this agreement ahead of schedule.  The contract lays the foundation for continued cooperation between CBS and the IBEW as we confront the constantly changing world of media and explore new opportunities together.

Leslie Moonves, President and Chief Executive Officer, CBS Corporation said:

This new early agreement demonstrates the strength of the working relationship between CBS and the IBEW and reaffirms CBS’ commitment to the IBEW’s highly skilled workforce.

Major provisions of the new long term contract include pay increases of 2.5 percent that will take effect on July 31, 2011, February 3, 2013 and February 2, 2014.  The parties agreed to greater flexibility in some working conditions such as jurisdiction and will explore labor-management partnership opportunities.  Health care, usually a contentious issue in labor negotiations, was not a significant factor, as the employees will continue to be covered under the CBS Healthcare Plan or the Entertainment Industry’s’ Flex Care Plan.

The contract will be sent to IBEW members for ratification within the next few weeks. The process is expected to be completed by July 29, 2011.

The IBEW represents CBS workers in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., St. Louis, San Francisco, Dallas, Miami and Atlanta, in addition to supplying a skilled workforce for all events televised on CBS Sports and CBS News.

Photo used under a Creative Commons License from Flickr user stevegarfield.