NBC's Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Show Threatened by Union

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[UPDATE BELOW] The local chapter of the union that represents nearly 3,000 of the NBC's producers, writers and technicians is threatening to walk out during the network's "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" special tonight—potentially denying millions of viewers the pleasure of seeing a light switch get flicked. The show is supposed to be broadcast tonight starting at 8 p.m., hosted by Jane Krakowski (30 Rock) and Zachary Levi (Chuck). Musical guests include Aretha Franklin, Rod Stewart, Rob Thomas, Alicia Keys, Jo Dee Messina, Barry Manilow, Shakira, The Muppets, and The Roots.

The National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians (NABET-CWA) Local 11 says that 3,000 network producers, writers and technicians at NBC have been working without a labor agreement since March. The union claims management has "grown increasingly hostile, ignoring the concerns of the union’s membership." Earlier this week they launched a website, NBCStoleChristmas.com, to publicize the dispute with a little poem, which begins, "Every Who in the crew / Liked the Christmas tree lighting a lot... But the NBC grinch just didn't see / Without them, the lights would light not!"

In a statement released yesterday, NBC blames the union for not negotiating, and executives sought to reassure a panicked nation that the special will air without disruption. The union's official website shows that their last meeting with NBC was on November 9th, and a death in the family of one of the union members led to the cancellation of three follow-up meetings, the Examiner reports. We'll keep you posted on the status of the broadcast today, but just don't do anything crazy like go to Rockefeller Center to watch the lighting in person.

UPDATE: It's a CHRISTMAS MIRACLE! The union just announced that workers will stay on the job after all. In a statement, Local 11 president Ed McEwan said, "We’re not going to let the Grinch at NBC ruin Christmas for millions of people around the world. So we’re going to stay on the job." Of course, to a cynical observer not really feeling the Christmas spirit, it probably looks like the union was just bluffing as a publicity stunt, but who cares? We can watch The Muppets and The Roots on the TV without schlepping to Rock Center!

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By John Del Signore in Arts and Events on December 2, 2009 4:29 PM

Comments [rss]

Snoopy

Can't they get Andy Williams to come up from Branson, sing one song, throw the switch and call it a day?

Tien

This should be lots of fun with the heavy rain and wind that is moving through the area tonight. Let's hope nobody gets electrocuted or killed!

NannyState

What? And ruin any hopes of being entertained?

Potty Boy

The tree lighting is way overrated. I went one year, and while I met some nice folks, it was a ZOO. Never again.

longacre

Agreed. It's like New Years in Times Square. You do it once just so you can say that you did, and then you never want to do it again.

longacre

You'd think NBC would be nicer to the folks who give them those magical sandwiches once a year.

hotstepper

ha!

JenChungsBaby

Those union guys better be careful or while they're gone someone's going to realize just how easy it is to do their jobs.

BTW, what the heck happened to Rod Stewart? From The Faces to the Rockefeller Center tree lighting? Jeez.

felldownthewell

Good. Less people on the nrw/bdv while I'm trying to get home.

Spirit of 76

Now if only the union could take Jay Leno off the air. I'm sure many people would be overjoyed about that. Leno's doing the same schtick he's always done because he doesn't know how to do anything else. His low ratings are killing Sue and Chuck.

Shinobi Shaw

What people don't understand is that the Rock Tree represents something (an emotional feeling that's for sure) to a lot of American people, it not being lit would already exarcebated the already highly obvious problems this nation is facing today.

TrippinJoJo

right, that this country is full of greedy and inconsiderate assholes.

Quenepa

If they televised the lighting from last year would anyone notice?

kleinpeter

boo f'ing hoo. I'm sick of hearing people bitch about what they're not getting. Times suck right now... deal with it. I'm sure I won't be getting my bonus, but so what? I ain't gunna go out and ruin it for everyone else. (Not that I care about the tree.)

I hate people.

S.D.

Wow, after bending over since the 70's, *NOW* Nabet shows backbone???

Go figure.

nyactorgirl

LOL @ "executives sought to reassure a panicked nation"!!!

I just love that some exec at NBC felt it necessary to calm the panicked masses who are undoubtedly weeping and threatening suicide over not being able to see the Rock Tree getting lit. Does anyone even care to watch?? I imagine the only panicked viewers would be those idiots who faithfully watch the Jay Leno Show!!

kafkask

oh boy. we might not be able to enjoy the blandness that is Aretha Franklin, Rod Stewart, Rob Thomas, Alicia Keys, Jo Dee Messina, Barry Manilow, Shakira, The Muppets, and The Roots.

now what will I do with my Wednesday evening?

hotstepper

there are about 50 illegals hanging out at my local Home Depot that would be happy to help.

youngpro

a union, whinng because they can have their way? get out! some of those guys make $100k+ with high school diplomas and they still cry for more.

keep up the greed and your jobs will be outsourced to china like gm, ford, and chrysler did when their unions made the financial stabilities of those companies unstable.

TrippinJoJo

they not only whine for more but some of them SUCK at their jobs and still get those heavy paychecks.

jimmy

outsourced? how would that work, exactly? maybe the tree will be lit from china. i guess with internet these days...

youngpro

it was a play on how fucking greedy and out of control these unions have gotten. never on time, always over budget, and the people (be they taxpers like you and me or t.v. viewers) always suffer.

Mr Mel

Don't try to explain it to these guys. They're morons.

Outter Burrougher

i usually hate to be a union apologist, but the people that i know in the entertainment unions work their asses off. yes, some of them get paid much more than I do with less of what you would consider education, but that's because they are skilled laborers. since when do we chastise people who know how to do or make something?

i'm not saying that this or any union is perfect, but they have been without an agreement for the better part of a year. had they not (allegedly) cancelled the last three meetings, i would have no problem with this strike (but dudes, seriously, you can't cancel meetings and then get pissy that nothing got decided).

youngpro

bla bla bla- they're easily replaceable. They have balls holding their employers to the barrel of a gun in this economy. NBC needs to muscle up.

Kojak

You don't need a Union to light a stupid tree.

All you need is one camera man and one other dude to flip the switch and there, its done. Instead of a 2 hour snore-fest, it'll be a quick 2 minute special between the nightly news & 30 Rock.