http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/barclays-cwa-head-to-head-msg-all-star-game-article-1.1305135


Arenas battle to host the 2015 NBA All-Star Game, as ad campaign targets MSG in favor of Barclays
The new ads financed by Communications Workers of America, calls James Dolan, owner of Madison Square Garden, a union buster who 'fires and intimidates' workers at his other company, Cablevision.

An advertising blitz that kicks of Tuesday will urge the NBA to bypass Madison Square Garden for the Barclays Center as the site for the league’s 2015 All-Star Game, the Daily News has learned.
The ads charge that Garden owner James Dolan “shouldn’t be rewarded with the All-Star Game” because he “fires and intimidates” workers at his other company, Cablevision.

The ads — on bus shelters and billboards and online — are being financed by the Communications Workers of America, which represents workers at Cablevision.

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“All Star Game at MSG? Fuggedaboutit!! Bring it to Brooklyn!” one of the ads reads.

The Communications Workers of America is promoting website brooklynnotbusters.com to oppose James Dolan and the Madison Square Garden in hosting the 2015 NBA All-Star Game.

Another says, “Tell the NBA: Don’t Reward Union-Buster James Dolan With the All-Star Game.” It promotes a website, brooklynnotbusters.com, which has a petition urging the NBA to award the 2015 game to the Barclays Center.

NBA officials said in February that New York would get the 2015 All-Star Game, and both Barclays and the Garden have put in bids.

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The Garden last hosted the NBA’s showcase event in 1998.
The union and Cablevision have clashed repeatedly since the company’s Brooklyn workers voted to unionize last year — most notably when 22 workers charged they were illegally fired for protesting workplace grievances.

The CWA has launched the campaign saying MSG and Cablevision owner James Dolan 'should not be rewarded for being a union buster in this town.'
Although the cable company eventually rehired the workers, the sides are still facing off over a contract and an effort backed by Cablevision to get the union de-certified.

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“You should not be rewarded for being a union buster in this town,” said CWA’s Chris Calabrese. “We’ve put this campaign together because we believe hundreds of New Yorkers feel the same way.”
Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, who is running for mayor, has also urged the NBA to choose Barclays over Madison Square Garden.
Garden officials said it’s unfair to link the two issues.
MSG spokeswoman Kimberly Kerns said, “Madison Square Garden has long-standing, productive relationships with more than 25 unions, and expects those relationships to continue. Madison Square Garden and Cablevision are separate companies, and one thing has nothing to do with the other.”