WDAF unionizing effort hits some rough going

An election date hasn't even been set for the 55 employees at WDAF, Channel 4 to vote on joining a union, and already the negative campaigning has begun. Once again, the source is weathercaster Mike Thompson, who followed up last month's anti-union memo to his colleagues with a second memo dated Nov. 4. Thompson's heavy-handed polemic came to the attention of the local chapter of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), which responded by filing a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board last week. The complaint charges WDAF management with discriminating against employees who organize, or even discuss organizing, in situations protected by federal law. General manager Stan Knott recently revised the station's policy on union solicitation, but organizers say that policy is being selectively enforced. "The only type of people targeted by this rule are identified members of the organizing movement," said Don Scott, director of the local AFTRA chapter. Instances have been reported to Scott of the station's anchors, who are solidly against unionizing, discussing the topic with impunity. And while Thompson is free to circulate memos, Scott says staffers on the union organizing committee have been told that even talking about the union is a violation of work policy. Knott says WDAF has no intent of chilling free speech. He points out that AFTRA has been allowed to circulate its own newsletters in the newsroom. (Thompson cited the newsletters in his Nov. 4 memo.) This week a federal arbiter is expected to rule on a petition by WDAF to split up the current organizing unit into one for photographers and a second for reporters and anchors. Once the ruling is made, an election date will be set, probably for early December. Scott said that this week's complaint won't hold up the election. Jones gets Comedy Central Jones Intercable is adding Comedy Central to its Missouri (channel 71) and Kansas (channel 42) systems Dec. 1. Now the 90,000 Jonesers can watch the foul-mouthed brats of "South Park" without having to crash the homes of their friends who get Time Warner Cable. A new half-hour special on the Kansas City Zoo airs at 5 p.m. Sunday on KMBC, Channel 9. The special is produced by Edwin Birch, who joined KMBC in March as executive producer of programming and community affairs. Birch spent seven years producing documentaries at American Cablevision, winning awards for such programs as "What Color Is He? " and "African-American Youth: Fighting for Survival." To reach Aaron Barnhart, television writer for The Star, call 234-4790 or send e-mail to tvbarn@kansascity.com