Companies that employ union and nonunion workers, work tirelessly to keep the two factions separated. The last thing they want is everyone hanging out together and their nonunion workers begin to think about organizing (“Hey Boss, how come the union guys get…?”). This is especially true if the employer has more than one workplace (like a media chain). Those employers send not so subtle messages to nonunion workers that they have it BETTER than their union counterparts. And to make that point, they will give them little gifts, gifts they will deny their union workers (“See, you non-organized guys are our favorite – that’s why we treat you better!”).
Union negotiators understand this and, to combat it, try to get “me too” clauses inserted into their collective bargaining agreements. Such provisions mandate that if a company decides to give one segment of its employees a gift, it has to give the employees covered by the agreement that same gift (hence the term “me too”). It goes without saying, then, that corporations hate such provisions and fight against including them in their union contracts. To that point, The United Media Guild just negotiated a new three year agreement at KSDK-TV and, thanks to our hard working unit chair (shout out to Phil Evans!), I just received this notice:
December 17, 2018
Shannon Duffy
Administrative Officer
United Media Guild
TNG-CWA Local 36047
Re: One-time discretionary bonus payment
Dear Shannon:
Today, TEGNA announced a 2018 one-time discretionary bonus payment of $500.00 for current regular full-time and part-time non-bargaining unit employees, who are not part of an existing annual bonus program (regular full-time and part-time employees newly hired in 2018 will receive a pro-rated 2018 on-time discretionary bonus payment). This discretionary bonus will be paid to employees on December 21, 2018 and will be subject to applicable state and federal taxes, along with any 401(k) contributions.
Pursuant to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, we are providing this one-time bonus to the Guild bargaining unit members.
Please advise if you have any questions or if you wish to discuss.
* * * * *
(And I heard Phil exclaim ‘ere he rode out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all my union sisters and brothers here’s a nice check!”)