Got this email the other day. I was asked to do that game, but was busy with other stuff. I do not know who wrote this, but they did have my email address. BTW, in the post is reference "to our area", I work in the Baltimore/DC area

[quote]Hello fellow technicians of the Mid Atlantic Region,

I am writing to each of you using this anonymous account because the subject matter that I am bringing to your attention has serious potential of being a "shoot the messenger" issue. I am a long time freelance technician in this area, and I am not particularly keen on "getting shot."

In short, Fox Sports out of LA has crewed 3 Women's Professional Soccer games in our area. The games are being played at the Maryland Soccer Plex in the Germantown area. The first game was this past Saturday, April 11. The crew that Fox hired was informed by email 2 days before the event that the terms of employment called for an 11 hour day (10 hours paid, and an unpaid lunch hour stuck in there.) None of the crew understood this when they were originally hired by Fox. When notified of the unpaid lunch, most crew members contacted Tim Ring, the Fox crewer, and told him that the 11 hour day was not their understanding upon initial hiring and that we, in the mid Atlantic region, do NOT work 11 hour days with no overtime. (We are all aware that the Fox national agreement calls for an 11 hour day, but this national agreement also has some counterbalancing benefits, in terms of higher pay rates and much more work that is being offered than to single event daily hires.)

We are not sure how Fox is going to handle their little payroll dilemma. Since Fox requires everyone to fill out paperwork and do a timesheet, it is left to be seen as to whether or not Fox will pay those who worked on the first game on a ten hour rate with OT after 10. If they do not, I know that there will be folks who will not work on the next two games even though they are already crewed on them.

I would ask that if you get a call to work on future games from Fox, know that some of your fellow technicians have already turned them down, standing firmly on the principal of the 10 hour day with a paid lunch. If we all stand together, we stand a chance of keeping our work day. However, if Fox can find qualified employees who are willing to work on an 11 hour rate (for the same 10 hour pay), we will find that our 10 hour work day is numbered. Each of the other employers will demand the same concession in due time.

For the record, it is my understanding that Fox is not requiring an 11 hour day in San Francisco because their union rules prohibit it. And I seriously doubt that they are going to get anyone to work an 11 day in New Jersey for similar reasons. They will cherry pick where they can. Hope you all don't feel like being cherries.

I am sending this email BCC, but I would strongly urge each of us to discuss it among ourselves. I truly believe that if we stand united, we can secure our 10 hour work day. However, if Fox can find qualified technicians willing to work an 11 hour day at 10 hour rates, we can all kiss our paid lunch periods goodbye.

In solidarity,

Your Friend and fellow Freelancer,
Phantomtech[/quote]