National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians

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The National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians, or N.A.B.E.T. is a labor union. It began in 1934 when the Association of Technical Employees (ATE) began representing employees in Television, Radio, Film, and Production. The union's name changed to NABET in 1940 and was affiliated with the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) in 1951. In 1994, NABET merged with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and changed its name to NABET-CWA. NABET represents about 12,000 workers organized into about 35 local unions (called locals).

"NABET Your Union" has been the theme of the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians almost from its inception in 1934. NABET began its history of representing employees in Broadcasting (Television, Radio, Film and Production) at what was then called the RED and BLUE networks, now ABC and NBC. At that time NABET's (then ATE, the Association of Technical Employees) first contract provided $175.00 per month and 48-hour weeks. In 1937 NABET expanded, covering independent radio and television stations, and in 1939 achieved a union shop clause. In 1940 came the name change from ATE to NABET, and in 1941 the first 8-hour day, and NABET grew to 23 independent contracts. In 1951, NABET affiliated with the CIO, followed in 1952 by the Canadians joining NABET. By 1960 NABET's independent contracts grew to 100. In 1965, came the first film local. In 1968 the Canadians achieved local autonomy followed in 1974 by full autonomy. In 1993, through the efforts of International President James P. Nolan and International Vice President John S. Clark, NABET affiliated with the Communications Workers of America, followed in 1994 with a full merger, when NABET became a Sector of CWA, resulting in the new name NABET-CWA. Over the years, NABET has fought for and won benefits and wages for its represented members which include a union shop, 8-hour work days, vacations, holidays, sick leave, insurance, overtime pay, pension plans, seniority, grievance and arbitration, safety, and health. NABET is proud of its fine tradition of democracy and the servicing of its members by officers and staff whose roots are in the industry it now serves. Its current officers are Sector President John S. Clark (who succeeded Nolan as International President in October 1993) and Sector Vice President James C. Joyce.