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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsPacifica Hires Notorious Union-Busters Jackson Lewis
Pacifica Hires Notorious Union-Busters Jackson Lewis
by KPFA Worker
KPFAs parent organization, the Pacifica Foundation, has hired Jackson Lewis, a notorious anti-union law firm which the AFL-CIO calls Americas number one union-buster. The multimillion-dollar corporate firm specializes in what it calls preventative practices that is, advising managers how to obstruct workers from successfully forming unions and undermining existing unions. Under its polished veneer lies a for-profit union-buster, writes the nonprofit American Rights at Work, one of the oldest and largest such firms in the nation.
Last week, the union representing KPFAs workers, Communications Workers of America Local 9415, became aware of Jackson Lewis hire by Pacifica at all five stations in the network KPFA in the San Francisco Bay Area, KPFK in Los Angeles, KPFT in Houston, WPFW in Washington D.C., and WBAI in New York. At a meeting of KPFAs bargaining unit, the stations union workers voted to demand that the Pacifica National Board immediately terminate its arrangement with Jackson Lewis, and sent a letter to all members of Pacificas board to that effect. The board met Wednesday, March 7, but chose not to take action to reverse its employment of the union-buster.
KPFA's union stewards wrote:
We see the entry of Jackson Lewis as a declaration of war on the unions that represent Pacifica workers. We fear it will lead to unnecessary legal expenses the network can ill afford, sour Pacificas already dismal relationship with its union workers, and alienate many listener-supporters who do not want their donations to be handed over to one of organized labors greatest enemies in the United States.
More at: http://www.calaborfed.org/index.php/site/page/pacifica_hires_notorious_union_busters_jackson_lewis
limpyhobbler
(8,244 posts)I always thought Pacifica was some kind of lib/progressive network. Maybe not I guess.
Robb
(39,665 posts)Consider what networks mean when they describe themselves as supported by foundations and listeners, then consider who sits on the boards of the foundations that support them.
qb
(5,924 posts)Omaha Steve
(99,845 posts)I've been so busy with mom and runing for office, I haven't done much labor posting. Mom had her stroke in June. So it has been awhile.
K&R!
LiberalFighter
(51,299 posts)when they don't file the necessary reports as required.
senseandsensibility
(17,215 posts)I expect to hear Amy Goodman address this.
kpfaworker2
(1 post)You got the story all wrong Jackson-Lewis is not handling contract negotiations, labor grievances or any union issues with the CWA, NABET or AFTRA.
They have been hired by Pacificas officer and directors insurance policy to handle sexual harassment and wrongful discharge claims filed against Pacifica. Exclusively. Insurance companies tend to like skarky law firms that win and when you get sued frivolously as many times as Pacifica does, the insurance company wants the "best".
I understand why the CWA is nervous, but they are being paranoid. Pacifica was using Jackson-Lewis during the LAST negotiation (the relationship started in 2009) and JL never got near the bargaining table and the CWA got an unremarkable contract. It will not be any different this time.
Call off the dogs, as they say. There is no story here.
KPFA Worker
uppityperson
(115,681 posts)Did you know I am an astronaut?
KPFAWorker
(7 posts)The person above is posting deceptively as KPFA Worker using our name and email address. It is probably the same person who has squatted several internet sites that mimic KPFAWorker and SaveKPFA. We're pretty sure who it is, and she isn't even a worker at KPFA.
The real KPFAWorker is a coalition of unpaid and paid staff, along with union and community supporters at KPFA Radio 94.1FM.
We invite you to visit us at http://www.KPFAWorker.org to sign up for our newsletter. Thanks for your solidarity.
KamaAina
(78,249 posts)in the past, she has sided with management. I am awaiting her response with bated breath.
KamaAina
(78,249 posts)I found out some more details on Pacifica and this specific law firm.
Jackson-Lewis has been working on insurance-company deductible cases since 2009 for Pacifica. Jackson-Lewis has never handled a single labor grievance or collective bargaining issue for Pacifica or KPFA. When lawsuits are filed against Pacifica, the insurance company requires the use of their approved lawyers (off a list). All the options are "employer-side" i.e. union busting lawyers. Some cases go to Jackson-Lewis when they look likely to exceed the insurance deductible amount.
KPFAWorker
(7 posts)It is well-documented that Pacifica Radio is using the nation's no. 1 union-busting law firm, Jackson Lewis, on at least four cases that are not under the control of Pacificas insurance carrier in other words, Pacifica has chosen to use the firm, not had the firm imposed on it.
We also understand that Pacifica recently put Jackson Lewis on a general retainer for the network (which includes KPFA, KPFK, WPFW, WBAI and KPFT).
In any case, what does it matter whether it was Pacificas insurance carrier that initially hired Jackson Lewis? Pacifica has repeatedly chosen to expand its use of the nations top union-busting firm.
Its a gross misuse of listener dollars and a threat to Pacificas unions.
And, just so readers know, the person above is posting deceptively as KPFA Worker using our name and email address. It is probably the same person who has squatted several internet sites that mimic KPFAWorker and SaveKPFA.
The real KPFA Worker is a coalition of unpaid and paid staff, along with union and community supporters. We invite you to visit us at http://www.KPFAWorker.org to sign up for our newsletter, or send a message of solidarity.
Sign the petition against Pacifica's hire of Jackson Lewis here:
http://action.cwa-union.org/c/1383/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=3885
And if you are a KPFA listener, watch your mail for the recall ballot which should arrive soon. That's the first step toward regaining local control over our station.
Find more details at http://www.KPFAWorker.org as well as at http://www.SaveKPFA.org
Starry Messenger
(32,342 posts)KPFAWorker
(7 posts)On Wednesday, April 18, listeners joined KPFAs paid and unpaid staff for a spirited picket of the stations parent organization, Pacifica Radio, to raise their voices against the networks hiring of infamous anti-union law firm, Jackson Lewis.
The firm was hired on a retainer for general labor and employment issues for the Pacifica network at the urging of executive director Arlene Engelhardt. The AFL-CIO calls the firm the nations number one union-buster.
Tina Bachemin, KPFA news reporter and unpaid staff member, addressed the picketers with a statement of solidarity. I see this issue as part of the bitter struggle thats going on now across America to smash unionism and wage war against workers, she told the crowd. Whether its an attempt to take away collective bargaining rights of the public workers in Wisconsin or an attempt to block SEIU janitors and maids from organizing in San Francisco hotels, this issue of whether a law firm with a reputation for union busting should represent Pacifica is part of that same struggle.
Over 1700 listeners and staff have signed a petition telling Pacifica to ditch Jackson Lewis. KPFAs Local Station Board has passed a resolution unanimously calling on Pacifica to drop the firm.
Other speakers included labor journalist Steve Early, KPFA news staffer and CWA member Brian Edwards-Tiekert, and CWA District 9 organizer Libby Sayre. Members from a range of unions turned out to support KPFAs paid staff, including from the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, (ILWU), the National Union of Health Care Workers (NUHW), the Pacific Media Workers Guild/CWA, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and University Professional & Technical Employees (UPTE).
KPFAs paid workers are represented by Communications Workers of America Local 9415.
Find more photos of the picket here:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.340487512677422.78266.100001485273815&type=3&l=2156a62eb5
The Pacifica Evening News covered the picket, and you can hear that story here:
http://www.savekpfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/KPFANews_on_Pacifica_JacksonLewis041812.mp3
For updates, subscribe at http://www.kpfaworker.org