IBEW Local 98 Cameramen, Technicians Strike Settled

By Pat Loeb

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia's NBC station has settled a contract dispute with its cameramen and technicians, ending a three week strike.

Employees represented by the electricians union struck the station on the eve of the Pope's visit to Philadelphia hoping the need for coverage would bring a rapid resolution but NBC brought in cameramen from other areas, leading to charges that the station violated the tight security surrounding the visit. Spokesman Frank Keel says the union is willing to let that go now that cooler heads of prevailed.

"We're really qualifying this as, and I know it sounds like a cliché, but it's a win-win," said Keel.

The station also praised the agreement. It includes a wage increase, a ratification bonus and on the main sticking point flexibility on Automated Production Control. Keel says the union got job security for the duration of the four-year deal.

"Neither we nor NBC 10 understand what the future will bring," said Keel, "but we know working together we can face the future."