Union Files Complaint for CBS’ Diversity Data

The National Labor Relations Board is investigating a complaint brought against CBS Broadcasting Inc. by the local chapter of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, which contends that the company has not been forthcoming in detailing its affirmative action and promotion policies for minorities, women and the disabled.

The board has scheduled a Nov. 13 hearing on the charge by AFTRA, which alleges that CBS and its local affiliate, KCBS-TV, have repeatedly failed to provide the union with documents providing specific data regarding its procedures dealing with discrimination and promotion of minorities. AFTRA maintains that the information is necessary for the union to serve as the collective bargaining representative for CBS and KCBS employees.

Ironically, the board issued the complaint on July 31, the same day that the network’s head of diversity, Josie Thomas, was addressing the Congressional Black Caucus about the network’s efforts to increase diversity on its staff. Thomas and her counterparts from ABC, NBC and Fox were delivering progress reports at the caucus’ request.

CBS has repeatedly touted its commitment to diversity in front of and behind the camera. In a statement, a network spokeswoman said, “CBS stands behind its commitment to diversity and its equal-employment opportunity policies. The specific board charge in question is limited to AFTRA’s request for information at its local Los Angeles station, KCBS-TV. CBS has provided AFTRA with the information it believes AFTRA is legally entitled to. The hearing is scheduled for Nov. 13, 2001. We will await the outcome of the hearing.”

Chuck Worthman, director of broadcast for the AFTRA chapter, maintained that the union’s inquiries went beyond just KCBS.

“The network and [CBS Television President] Leslie Moonves are repeatedly announcing that they are very much for diversity,” said Worthman. “But how do people who already work at CBS take advantage of the programs they say exist? If there are such programs, why won’t they make the specific information available to those employees? For a company who claims to be law-abiding, it is seriously restraining its employees.”

Byron B. Kohn, acting regional director of Region 31 of the labor relations board, said that if AFTRA’s complaint is determined to have merit at the November hearing, the company could be compelled to provide the information to the federation and the employees. He added that CBS would also be required to post a companywide notice stating they would no longer engage in withholding such information.

AFTRA first contacted CBS and KCBS in March, after some members complained that they were having difficulty getting details about discrimination and promotion policies. Rebecca L. Henry, the local’s broadcast business representative, sent a letter to Steve Berkowitz, vice president of industrial relations for CBS Broadcasting Inc., asking him for the company’s discrimination complaint procedure, affirmative action plan and plans or proposals to assist minorities, women and the disabled.

Henry said there was no response to the request. She sent a second letter in April and still did not receive a response, she said.

Worthman said AFTRA has not sought similar information from ABC, NBC or Fox because union members have not requested it.

CBS, along with the other three major networks, reached an agreement 18 months ago with a multiethnic coalition in which the networks pledged to pursue initiatives to increase diversity in front of and behind the camera. The upcoming prime-time lineups on NBC, CBS, ABC and Fox will feature a slightly more multicultural look than have shows in the last few years.

CBS’ Thomas pointed to several new shows with diverse casting, including “The Education of Max Bickford,” co-starring Regina Taylor; “Wolf Lake,” starring Lou Diamond Phillips; and “The Agency,” co-starring Rocky Carroll.

Yet despite the increased minority representation, the coalition that pressed the diversity campaign remains dissatisfied, saying the networks have not gone far enough.