New York Ma’apilim March in Solidarity with Locked-Out ABC Workers

November 24, 1998, New York – This morning a group of Habonim Dror ma’apilim joined locked-out members of NABET Local 16 (the ABC technicians union), at the picket line in front of the ABC studio at 67^th and Columbus. ABC workers have been locked out since November 3^rd when they struck for twenty-four hours to protest the medical plan they are being forced to accept without knowing all the costs involved.

Arriving at the picket lines around 9:00AM, the ma’apilim were initially greeted with some surprise and confusion from the locked out workers. We explained that we were Labor Zionists, there to show our support for workers and the labor movement. This explanation was greeted with appreciation from the workers walking the picket line. The pickets run twenty-four hours a day, to discourage other ABC employees from entering the work-place. Although the workers received mostly support from passing cars and pedestrians, it does get difficult, one worker told me, especially in the middle of the night when there are only a half dozen employees on the picket line.

The union has received support from many prominent personalities. Whoopi Goldberg, Adam Sandler and Vice-President Al Gore have all cancelled planned appearances on the network, in solidarity with the union. When we were at the pickets, ABC news-anchor Peter Jennings stopped to chat with the workers. Although he crossed the picket line to work, Jennings has spoken with Disney/ABC head Michael Eisner on behalf of the NABET union.

With our presence at the picket line this morning, Habonim Dror can be added to the growing list of individuals and organizations who support the locked-out workers. In solidarity, we wish the workers of ABC a speedy and successful resolution to their labor dispute.