Broadcasting (Oct - Dec 1949)

Record Details:

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RESIDENTS of Southern California's Ventura Valley who wanted to have a panoramic view of the recent 20,000 acre fire in the Santa Susana Valley, were able to do so when Manager Bob Reel of KSPA Santa Paula arranged for special night flights over the area. During the night (Nov. 2), 25 flights were made during which passengers could record their reactions to the sight on a tape recording placed in the plane. Winding up the inaugural trip over the area are (I to r) Airport Manager Wally Bassett, KSPA News Editor Roy Sadlier, Mr. Reel and Charles Martin of KSPA sales. WATL CASE Labor Board Approves Tact With Unions GENERAL approval of WATL Atlanta's conduct in bargaining negotiations with AFRA and IBEW and specific indictments of certain union tactics highlighted findings of an intermediate report filed by NLRB last week. The recommendations, filed by Hamilton Gardner, NLRB trial examiner, were based on findings that WATL, licensed to Atlanta Broadcasting Co., had consistently bargained "in good faith," contrary to union allegations, and that the station had engaged in unfair labor practices to the extent only of tending to "restrain" certain employes in the exercise of certain rights. Chief findings of NLRB's preliminary report were that AFRA "struck" the station without notice last Jan. 1; that since the contract expired Dec. 30, 1948, WATL was not bound to bargain collectively with AFRA per se; and that AFRA, in effect, abrogated the entire agreement by striking without notice. Announcers were involved in the dispute. With respect to IBEW, representing the station's technicians and engineers, NLRB found that refusal of technicians to cross AFRA picket lines led to a "work stoppage," and clearly abrogated the contract Dec. 30, 1948. WATL had "no further obligation" to bargain collectively with IBEW, the intermediate report held. The original contract was signed in 1944. The WATL-AFRA-IBEW case last August prompted the artists' union to petition FCC for revocation of WATL's AM-FM licenses, contending the station had violated labor relations laws and FCC regulations. The station, owned by J. W. Woodruff Sr., told FCC that AFRA had (1) indulged in secondary boycotts, (2) struck without notice, and (3) was pressuring the Commission to settle Mr. Woodruff's differences with both AFRA and IBEW. On the other hand, WATL contended, Mr. Woodruff had not DO YOU WANT TO MAKE YOUR AOVERTiSING CAMPAIGN IN CINCINNATI A SUCCESS? See Centerspread This Issue ON THE AIR EVERYWHERE 24 HOURS A DAY WCKY CINCINNATI 50,000 WATTS OF SELLING POWER 5ROADCASTING • Telecasting "flagrantly disregarded" either labor laws or FCC rules, and had conformed to provisions of NLRB's early order. WATL said it had operated in the public interest since 1935 [Broadcasting, Aug. 29]. Furthermore, WATL advised the Commission, the station had complied with citations on its technical setup as studied by an FCC investigator earlier this year. AFRA had charged that the station violated FCC technical regulations. NLRB's intermediate report, released last Thursday, noted that the board had never authorized an election at WATL among announcers, technicians and engineers, but held that both union locals had written contracts designating them as representatives. The examiner's report pointed out that AFRA, in striking, had "violated an important and vital part, of the contract ... it is elementary that non-observance or breaking of an essential part of a contract has the effect of abrogating the entire document." The contract terminated Dec. 30, 1948, and WATL "had no further duty to bai'gain collectively with AFRA," Mr. Gardner added. The finding continued: "The very fact that (WATL) was willing to negotiate with AFRA after the strike evinces an attitude of fairness, consideration and good faith. Under the contract it was under no further obligation to do so. . . . (WATL) did not delay or prolong the negotiations . . ." Increases of $10 per week per announcer were fixed by negotiation but turned down by certain AFRA members. Dismissal Recommended Mr. Gardner recommended dismissal of the complaint alleging WATL's refusal to bargain collectively "and in good faith." With respect to IBEW, the findings noted that while the technicians did not strike, "they refused to cross the AFRA picket lines" and there definitely had been a "stoppage of operations," thus violating the 1944 contract. Hence, the station was not obligated under the contract after Dec. 30, 1948, when it was abrogated entirely, to bargain collectively with IBEW, they noted. Thus, AFRA and IBEW were reprimanded for secondary boycotts. Differences with IBEW evolved around a six-day week, rejected by the engineers union. Again, WATL showed a willingness to negotiate and bargain collectively, the finding showed. Dismissal of that portion of the complaint also was urged by Mr. Gardner. Charges originally were filed by AFRA's Atlanta Local on March 24, and by IBEW Local 1193 on March 22. NLRB filed its complaint on March 25. WATL's answer denied that AFRA and IBEW were authorized representatives of the announcers and technicians, and specific unfair labor practices alleged by both unions. Hearings were held in Atlanta May 3 to May 26. Illilililll' 1'Qchnical iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii FRANK GOLDSTEIN promoted to assistant chief engineer at WMOR (FM) Chicago. JAMES M. BURKE, formerly chief engineer of WAAM rXV) Baltimore, joins WTVN (TV) Columbus, Ohio, in same capacity. CLARKE INSTRUMENT Corp., Silver Spring, Md., announces Model 109 high-precision phase monitor for use with directional antenna systems. ROY R. HAYWARD has been promoted to technical director of studio A operations at WENR-TV Chicago. ROBERT V. NICHOLAS, assistant chief engineer for KXOK St. Louis, is the father of a boy, Robert V. 3d. TRANSRADIO Ltd., London, Eng., announces two new capacitance cables, Type C34, low, and Type C344, very low; and two new transmission lines, Type A34, highly flexible, and Type A344, flexible. PHILCO Corp., Philadelphia, announces three types of biconical TV aerials, for installations requiring outdoor antennas, six alignment jigs for simplifying servicing of Philco TV receivers, and Model M-20 threespeed record changer and 45 rpm record adapter discs and non-slip driver. ED MORRELL, assistant station engineer at WNBQ (TV) Chicago, is the father of a boy, James Richard, born Nov. 19. Om Does It ONE Station . ONE Rate Card ONE Spot on the Dial ONE S.| of Call letters Kansas City's ONE and ONLY 50.000 watt station Programmed for Mid-America Audiences Feature Availability Jim Monroe & The News 6:00-6:10 P.M. Tues., Thurs. & Sat. Radio reportinq at its best with MidAmerica's favorite newscaster. Write, wire or call today! National Representafive — John E. Pearson Co. December 5, 1949 • Page 45