Unions urged the FCC to ensure worker safety and system reliability in any new pole-attachment rules. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers members "are literally on the front lines of network maintenance and development," so "any changes to pole networks should protect the safety and reliability of the grid and communications network, and those who work on it," said a filing posted Friday in docket 17-108 (that's the net neutrality docket, but the letter addressed the wireline infrastructure deployment proceeding, which is docket 17-84). IBEW noted concerns about "pole congestion, safe access to perform pole work and the effect of RF radiation on linemen working on poles." It urged the FCC maintain national utility standards on the "distance between communications equipment and utility space for high voltage wires and devices." It backed one-touch, make-ready (OTMR) solutions to streamline pole attachments, "but only outside the utility space," and urged the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee to consider the issues. Communications Workers of America said in docket 17-84 BDAC OTMR recommendations "appropriately exclude 'complex' make-ready work in the communications space and all work in the utilities space from mandated third-party OTMR," in a meeting with an aide to Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. "However, the BDAC OTMR recommendation overreaches by authorizing third-party contractors to perform 'simple' make-ready work in the communications space without advance notice to all existing attachers, without providing existing attachers the opportunity to move their equipment in a timely manner, and by giving new attachers’ contractors the authority to determine whether make-ready work is 'simple' or 'complex.'" CWA cited similar concerns to an aide to Commissioner Mignon Clyburn.

As elimination of FCC main studio requirements takes effect Monday, broadcasters, attorneys and a union official told us they don’t expect immediate office shutterings or layoffs. The change won’t matter greatly for many broadcasters and is seen as more likely to shape long-term plans. “It won’t be a bloodbath Monday,” said International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers International Representative-Broadcasting and Telecommunications Neil Ambrosio. However, IBEW believes the rule change eventually will shrink staff, he said.

CBS and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers reached an early contract renewal agreement covering 3,500 technicians, the broadcaster said in a news release Wednesday. The IBEW represents CBS workers in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, St. Louis, San Francisco, Dallas, Miami and Atlanta, the announcement said. The contract was ratified by the affected workforce and will be effective Feb. 1 and goes through April 30, 2021, it said. The current contract was scheduled to end Jan. 31 and the new deal includes pay increases, increased benefit contributions and “a path forward for new media,” said the company.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and three left-leaning public interest groups urged Senate Democrats Wednesday to place a hold on FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's reconfirmation amid concerns about what the groups believe is special FCC treatment of Sinclair. Several Senate Democrats said they plan to focus a floor debate on Pai's reconfirmation on their concerns about FCC handling of controversial policy issues under Pai, including Sinclair's proposed buy of Tribune. Senate Republicans are aiming to bring Pai up for a final vote before the Columbus Day recess (see 1709130054 and 1709150060). Congress “seems to be asleep at the wheel” on Sinclair/Tribune given that key congressional committees haven't held hearings on the deal and have given no indication they plan to do so, said Allied Progress Executive Director Karl Frisch during a conference call with reporters: “I don't think there should be a vote” on Pai's reconfirmation to a new five-year term “until some serious questions are answered and until hearings are held in Congress" on Sinclair/Tribune. A hold on Pai would be “first step” to allow hearings to occur, Frisch said. IBEW also supports a hold on Pai to allow Congress to “look at the steps that [Pai] is taking” that affect Sinclair, including reinstatement of the UHF discount, said International Representative Vinny Butler. Senators “should be prepared to ask tough questions” about Sinclair/Tribune, said Credo Action Campaign Manager Brandy Doyle. Pai recently told several top House Democrats that Sinclair hasn't received any special treatment, noting any actions that affect the company “have been motivated by my belief that a strong over the air broadcast service advances the public interest” (see 1709190060). The FCC, the House and Senate Commerce committees and Sinclair didn't comment.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and three left-leaning public interest groups urged Senate Democrats Wednesday to place a hold on FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's reconfirmation amid concerns about what the groups believe is special FCC treatment of Sinclair. Several Senate Democrats said they plan to focus a floor debate on Pai's reconfirmation on their concerns about FCC handling of controversial policy issues under Pai, including Sinclair's proposed buy of Tribune. Senate Republicans are aiming to bring Pai up for a final vote before the Columbus Day recess (see 1709130054 and 1709150060). Congress “seems to be asleep at the wheel” on Sinclair/Tribune given that key congressional committees haven't held hearings on the deal and have given no indication they plan to do so, said Allied Progress Executive Director Karl Frisch during a conference call with reporters: “I don't think there should be a vote” on Pai's reconfirmation to a new five-year term “until some serious questions are answered and until hearings are held in Congress" on Sinclair/Tribune. A hold on Pai would be “first step” to allow hearings to occur, Frisch said. IBEW also supports a hold on Pai to allow Congress to “look at the steps that [Pai] is taking” that affect Sinclair, including reinstatement of the UHF discount, said International Representative Vinny Butler. Senators “should be prepared to ask tough questions” about Sinclair/Tribune, said Credo Action Campaign Manager Brandy Doyle. Pai recently told several top House Democrats that Sinclair hasn't received any special treatment, noting any actions that affect the company “have been motivated by my belief that a strong over the air broadcast service advances the public interest” (see 1709190060). The FCC, the House and Senate Commerce committees and Sinclair didn't comment.

CBS and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers reached an early contract renewal agreement covering 3,500 technicians, the broadcaster said in a news release Wednesday. The IBEW represents CBS workers in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, St. Louis, San Francisco, Dallas, Miami and Atlanta, the announcement said. The contract was ratified by the affected workforce and will be effective Feb. 1 and goes through April 30, 2021, it said. The current contract was scheduled to end Jan. 31 and the new deal includes pay increases, increased benefit contributions and “a path forward for new media,” said the company.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and three left-leaning public interest groups urged Senate Democrats Wednesday to place a hold on FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's reconfirmation amid concerns about what the groups believe is special FCC treatment of Sinclair. Several Senate Democrats said they plan to focus a floor debate on Pai's reconfirmation on their concerns about FCC handling of controversial policy issues under Pai, including Sinclair's proposed buy of Tribune. Senate Republicans are aiming to bring Pai up for a final vote before the Columbus Day recess (see 1709130054 and 1709150060). Congress “seems to be asleep at the wheel” on Sinclair/Tribune given that key congressional committees haven't held hearings on the deal and have given no indication they plan to do so, said Allied Progress Executive Director Karl Frisch during a conference call with reporters: “I don't think there should be a vote” on Pai's reconfirmation to a new five-year term “until some serious questions are answered and until hearings are held in Congress" on Sinclair/Tribune. A hold on Pai would be “first step” to allow hearings to occur, Frisch said. IBEW also supports a hold on Pai to allow Congress to “look at the steps that [Pai] is taking” that affect Sinclair, including reinstatement of the UHF discount, said International Representative Vinny Butler. Senators “should be prepared to ask tough questions” about Sinclair/Tribune, said Credo Action Campaign Manager Brandy Doyle. Pai recently told several top House Democrats that Sinclair hasn't received any special treatment, noting any actions that affect the company “have been motivated by my belief that a strong over the air broadcast service advances the public interest” (see 1709190060). The FCC, the House and Senate Commerce committees and Sinclair didn't comment.

Some opponents of Sinclair buying Tribune argue in petitions to deny posted by the FCC Tuesday that the new company would have unprecedented ability to drag the post-incentive auction repacking to a halt, and would want to do so because of its massive investment in ATSC 3.0. “Sinclair’s ‘all-in’ posture on ATSC 3.0 gives it a strong self-interest in using whatever leverage it has to promote the adoption of this standard,” petitioned T-Mobile. A delay in repacking would give Sinclair more time to lobby the commission to devote more reimbursement funds to paying for stations to buy 3.0 equipment, said the filing in docket 17-179.

Some opponents of Sinclair buying Tribune argue in petitions to deny posted by the FCC Tuesday that the new company would have unprecedented ability to drag the post-incentive auction repacking to a halt, and would want to do so because of its massive investment in ATSC 3.0. “Sinclair’s ‘all-in’ posture on ATSC 3.0 gives it a strong self-interest in using whatever leverage it has to promote the adoption of this standard,” petitioned T-Mobile. A delay in repacking would give Sinclair more time to lobby the commission to devote more reimbursement funds to paying for stations to buy 3.0 equipment, said the filing in docket 17-179.

AT&T wireline workers in Illinois and northwest Indiana voted for a five-year contract, AT&T announced Friday. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 21 represented the 5,000 workers in negotiations to replace the existing contract that expires June 24. The pact, announced in late April, addressed job security, healthcare, wages and post-retirement benefits (see 1704280048). Earlier in May, about 40,000 AT&T workers represented by the Communications Workers of America went on a three-day strike after contract talks broke down (see 1705220028).