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Union Calls Off Rockefeller Tree Lighting Threat

By DNAinfo Staff on December 2, 2009 8:19am  | Updated on December 2, 2009 7:34pm

A 76-foot Christmas Tree stands over Rockefeller Center as the 2009 Christmas Tree. The tree will be dressed amidst a dispute between the union and NBC Universal Dec. 2.
A 76-foot Christmas Tree stands over Rockefeller Center as the 2009 Christmas Tree. The tree will be dressed amidst a dispute between the union and NBC Universal Dec. 2.
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Gabriela Resto-Montero

By Gabriela Resto-Montero

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

MANHATTAN — The show must go on!

The union that threatened to walk out of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony decided to stay on the job as scheduled Wednesday night.

The president of the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians elected to call off the walkoff in "the spirit of Christmas," according to 1010 WINS.

The NABET claims NBC Universal hasn't renewed contracts since March and hires non-union workers to produce live broadcasts, according to the New York Post.

NABET set up a Web site to spoof the dispute, with a take-off on "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."

"For the NBC Grinch's heart is two sizes too small/ He won't meet with the workers, though they're right down the hall," reads a poem on the site.

In response to the walk-out threat, NBC issued a statement saying NABET, which represents 3,000 producers, writers and technicians, has canceled three days of negotiations, Broadcasting and Cable reported. 

"It is unfortunate that the union is resorting to threats as opposed to meeting its obligation to engage in collective bargaining," Liz Fischer, an NBC Universal spokesperson, said in a statement.

 

Network stars Jane Krakowski, of "30 Rock," and Zachary Levi, of "Chuck," are scheduled to host the tree lighting at 8 p.m. 

Guest stars include Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys and Barry Manilow, and Mayor Michael Bloomberg is also expected to make an appearance.