CREWS FOR PEACOCK PRODUCTIONS WANT MEETING WITH MSNBC HOSTS

Production workers employed by Peacock Productions, which produces documentaries and reality programs for NBC News and affiliated cable outlets, have once again asked the hosts of MSNBC to meet with them to hear their grievances. In a letter signed by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka and other members of the executive council, the workers said that they have been working with the Writers Guild of America, East to organize a union to address concerns about health insurance, pay, work hours, “and an overall feeling of job insecurity among even the most talented and qualified.” Last week the AFL-CIO posted a petition on MoveOn.org also asking the MSNBC hosts, including Chris Hayes, Ed Schultz, Rachel Maddow, Al Sharpton and Lawrence O’Donnell, to meet with them. Only Hayes did. Schultz merely commented that MoveOn.org “has never been an ally of Ed Schultz.” The other hosts did not comment at all. The letter from Trumka and the other AFL-CIO leaders concluded, “The workers at Peacock respect your work, as do we, and have seen the influence you have on many issues important to working people. We urge you to take the time to meet with these producers and associate producers to hear their concerns first-hand.”