TV & VIDEO - March 30, 1989

ABC got an indirect warning Wednesday from the National Assn. of Broadcast Employees and Technicians, with which it is negotiating. In a gesture of union solidarity, NABET made a $10,000 contribution to the Fairness at Eastern Fund set up by unions on strike against Eastern Airlines, but along with the money came a letter to AFL-CIO officials. James P. Nolan, international president of NABET, said in the letter that Capital Cities/ABC seems to be “taking the same approach” in negotiations that NBC did in 1987. NABET members went on strike against that network for 119 days. Referring to ABC, Nolan’s letter said his union hopes to avoid a similar action, “but the company’s bargaining tactics thus far may leave us no other choice.” He asked for advice in the matter. NABET’s contract with ABC expires at midnight Friday. However, the union has not asked members for strike authorization.