Jun 7, 2012
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A former anchor at The Weather Channel is suing the network after she said she was fired over a dispute involving her military service.
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Nicole Mitchell, an Air Force Reserve Officer and a member of the “Hurricane Hunters” team, has accused The Weather Channel and NBC of discrimination and violating her rights under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994.
Mitchell said she began to experience harassment about her military service just after The Weather Channel was purchased by NBC, Bain Capital and the Blackstone Group, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court.
Court papers allege NBC bosses made explicit complaints about her military service schedule and created a “hostile working environment” for the anchor.
Mitchell, who holds the rank of captain, was an on-air meteorologist for The Weather Channel from 2004 until 2011 – when her contract was not renewed. She is a highly decorated officer who flies aboard a “Hurricane Hunter” and her military expertise was especially noted during the network’s hurricane coverage.
But after the network was purchased by NBC/Universal, Mitchell said network executives ordered her to get clearance before agreeing to any military assignments.
“I was told in an email, ‘before you agree to military duty, you need to clear it through us first,’” Mitchell told Fox News Radio. “If you don’t show up for orders, you could be court-martialed.”
The Weather Channel released a statement to Fox News Radio declining to comment on the specifics of the case.
Spokesman David Blumenthal said the network “is committed to creating a work atmosphere free of discrimination and in compliance with The Uniformed Services Employment Reemployment rights Act of 1994.”
Blumenthal said some of Mitchell’s allegations were inaccurate, but declined to provide specific examples.
“We disagree with many of the assertions in the plaintiff’s press statements and intend to vigorously defend the matter in the arbitration process,” he said.
Lance LoRusso, Mitchell’s attorney, called The Weather Channel and NBC’s behavior “deplorable.”
“It is not a matter of providing lip service and saying you support the military,” he told Fox News Radio. “You cannot interfere with their service. You cannot provide harassment or a hostile environment to them and if you do – you are subject to sanctions.”
An incident involving a missed hair appointment seems to be where Mitchell’s career at The Weather Channel.
LoRusso said his client received a telephone call ordering her to appear for a Sunday hair consultation.
“They said quite clearly, ‘this is non-negotiable, no excuses,’” LoRusso said.
But Mitchell did have an excuse – she was on weekend military duty – and Mitchell had given the network advance notice of her responsibilities.
“She was told that was not a good answer,” he recounted. “They gave her a hard time, but she stuck to her guns.”
It wasn’t long before she was transferred from a Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. – 10 a.m. anchor shift on “Your Weather Today” to a Monday-Friday, 10 p.m.-2a.m. shift.
And LoRusso believes she Mitchell was removed from her star role because she’s a weekend warrior.
“Here we truly believe that the scheduling and the fact that her Reserve duty was up against a schedule of NBC and The Weather Channel – was a motivating factor in their decision,” he said. “That is illegal.”
Mitchell joined the Air National Guard when she was 17-years-old – and the network was well aware of her military commitments when she was hired, LoRusso said.
“It’s not a matter of courtesy,” he said. “It’s a matter of obligation. Our military cannot function as a volunteer force if the individual employers can control when our service members can appear and when they shouldn’t.”
LoRusso noted the irony of NBC’s sponsorship of a pro-military campaign called, ‘Got Your 6’ – vowing to support service members.
“Well, you should start in house,” he said.
FOX News Talk
Nicole Mitchell will prevail. NBC/TWC doesn't have a leg to stand on. I stopped watching because they are so biased towards the East Coast weather. The western part of the country gets about 5 seconds of their time. Thank you for your excellent service to your country Ms. Mitchell. I wish you well!
Hope you win and own NBC and GE.
lets start with the head of GE.
Wouldn't expect anything else from NBC, a deplorable liberal rat's nest of leftists. Mix in a little GE Immelt and this is what you get.
As a combat veteran I find any action taken against Capt. Mitchell by TWC, NBC deplorable. Supportive of the military? doesn't look like it to me….so long Weather Channel..there are other outlets for weather information instead of the over dramatic Weather Channel!
The Weather Channel founder John Coleman has clearly stated that yes climate is changing but not like these loons are calling it. NBC (Owned by GE = Jeff Immel) are out to make money on the climate change / global warming scam. John Coleman said that we'll look back at this 10 years from now and laugh!
What else can we expect? That's the last straw with the WC. Soon as NBC bought them out they went from solid weather info to an agenda spewing outlet. SAD. What's next?
It's NBC, what would you expect from the mainstream!
It's NBC, what would you expect from the mainstream!
This total B.S. Military committment comes first and everyone that hires a Guard or Reservist knows that! They deserve to be sued.
My son is in the army reserves and just got back from Afganistan. My understanding is that legally they have to keep your job open for you, with any raises, bonus etc. that you would have had. The commitment to the military comes first, you do not have an option to show up for duty. Many thanks to her for her service to our country. I hope she wins.
I hope she wins too! I served 22-1/2 years and never heard of anything like this for sure. I have people now working for me that are in the AF Reserves and I will never stand in their way of duty for this country!
You don't need The Weather Channel. You just need http://www.WeatherBELL.com.
Every one needs to look up the history of NBC. You may be suprised to learn that after GE bought it, a sharp left turn was made in it's policy. After GE sold it the turn was never corrected. That is why NBC is no longer relevant as a media outlet. This poor women is a direct result of it's policies. I hope they have to pay here a small fortune for this act.
All liberal media will fire anchors for telling the truth, if it falls to the right! Now I can't believe anything they say or print.. that's why I cancelled the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
So now NBC and the Weather Channel will decide who serves in the military where they serve and when they can serve! The arrogant S.O.B.'s put up all the fancy we support our troops and what have, but it is all just a big FRONT! If it wasn't for the military there would be no NBC and Weather Channel! Maybe they should be removed from the airwaves for a short "Timeout", say about a year, that'll give them some time to think about there actions!
Why am I not surprised it is N B C I think even dead last in ratings C N N knows better. But N B C never seems to learn. So bust'em Again! The folks at NBC will eventually learn.
And now you DA at NBC wonder why no one is watching the weather channel and nbc any more, its because of crap like this, I server in the Marines for 22 years, so don't worry I will not be watching any more of your stations, just keep going left, as far as you can out of this great country and by the way, God Bless American.
The true colors of the weather channel are not RED, WHITE and BLUE, but the color of money(ratings).This channel is banned from our household.
It didn't surprise me when I found out that the Weather Channel was owned by NBC (Nothing But Communists). They are a disgusting anti-American news organization, such as CBS, NBC and CNN. I have given up watching them and rely on other outlets for by unbiased news.
Well said. I was wondering why there started being pop ups for "obama 2012". Should have known twc was bought out by a liberal media branch. Bye Bye weather channel and shame on you.
Well said. I was wondering why there started being pop ups for "obama 2012". Should have known twc was bought out by a liberal media branch. Bye Bye weather channel and shame on you.
Funny how the story seems odd until you get to the part where it says NBC is involved and suddenly it all makes sense…
The Weather Channel needs to be very careful. You can't mess with reservists or national guard employment in any manner. I for one will never watch or tune in to them ever again.
I used to watch all the time. I never watch and haven't for years.
I no longer watch the weather channel-it is just another "NBC"-commercials airing most of the time-and a definate political "slant" on"current events. It used to be nuetral-now its another liberal outlet. I watch my local channel which gives me weather only-not nbc news. I de-programmed it out of my que.
I have not liked the Weather Channel since it was purchased by NBC. It is nothing now but a bunch of commercials surrounded by commentary. Weather seems to have taken the backseat in the bus.
BAN THE WEATHER CHANNEL AND BAN NBC.
BAN THE WEATHER CHANNEL AND BAN NBC.
I have no respect for the Weather Channel for this hypocritical act!
It is a sad day when a decorated hero is harassed for service to this country. I say boycott the weather channel and NBC until they publicly apologize for this discrimination.
Some jock at NBC is probably mad at her for turning him down for a date. I hope she wins big bucks and NBC should remember this: "FREEDOM AIN'T FREE" you gotta earn it! I bet most of the top brass at NBC does not have a military background; or maybe they are part of the anti-military or anti-family pro alternative life style crowd…..
I don't really trust the Weather channel much any more now that we moved to VA. We lived in NC for 5 years (military) and when they said a storm was coming, we almost always got one. We now live just south of DC and they always show some big storm coming our way and the past two or three times we have gotten nothing but a small shower, or nothing when their radar shows a huge storm over us. But, they can't do this to this fine up-standing American who is serving her country, even if on weekends. She goes out and flies in to hurricanes and what not for them so they should not say anything about her service. Guess the Weather Channel is upset because she is a true American, serving her country while those in charge sit back and do nothing.
Typical NBC! As the wife of a retired Navy Master Chief you just can't ignore Military Orders! I hope another network picks her up. Maybe Fox…
I can well understand the Weather Channel action. Being a business owner I hired a national guard soldier back in the mid 70's and learned that he was gone when needed the most. That cured me from ever hiring anyone active duty, national guard or reserve.
The weather channel has done nothing but gone down the sewer since NBC got their stupid claws into it. My hat goes off to Mitchell and thank you for your service to our country. This is typical of NBC and their left wing main stream media bias of "Our way or the highway." Having worked in broadcasting myself, I am well aware of the politics that goes on behind the scenes all in the name of ratings. Stations and networks will sell their soul to the devil if it means being #1 and can increase their advertising revenue. Glad this girl saved her emails. Go get em Nicole or should I say Captain Mitchell. I salute you.
Keep on serving, Captain Nicole Mitchell!
Start using weather.gov…
And the Weather Channel/NBC has the gall to run a special next Monday about…..(wait for it)……the Hurrican Hunter Squadron!
I can live without the weather Ch. Accuweather a better site and is on my favorites. Fox is much better than NBC etc. This gives me even a better reason not to watch these chs. Bring her over to Fox and give the Capt. an OOOORAH!
First I want to thank Capt. Mitchell for her service to our country. Then to say that this action has ended me utilizing the Weather Channel anymore, as well as NBC and Universal. Boycott them all and show them were America's value and support lies, behind the young men and women of this country who serve in all branches of the military active and reserve.
Next time you must know what the weather is, turn off the TV; walk outside, look around, take a deep breathe & appreciate your freedom. God given rights; re-enforced by the US Military…(And remember, no storm lasts forever).
flying in a hurricane hunter aircraft is not military service, when she fights over seas on the front line, then and only then will I support her so called military service………..
So our reservists that don't go over seas don't deserve respect? WOW. I think the point here is that NBC doesn't support our military and reservists
if that was the case , then ok, her case isnt…………
Exactly Todd, Flying in a hurricane hunter is inherently dangerous and it does help protect the public. She may not be getting shot at, but she is putting her life on the line.
One of the dumber comments anyone will ever see on here or any where. Fortunately, it doesn't matter what you support as only a .0000001 of the US population feels as you do. We don't need everyone on the front line in any military situation regardless… you trying to help us lose a war?
Paul your an idiot, my son pulled 3 18 month tours overseas and I work along with some of America's greatest Hero's, so I support our Military 100%, if she was defending the Us borderline, ok kudos to her, I forget they fly those planes in the eye of the storm and turn it away from American landfall, She is using her Military career to further her case, Why was she let go really……..
I replied to your idiotic and selfish comment with less disdain that you deserved. You're lucky, if the people on here had caught what you said, you would have 50 times the negative replies. Do you see how in the minority you are? You support our Military 100%, just not Captain Mitchell in her discrimination case against TWC. Why was she really let go??? Do you even know who she is and who she was on that show? She is suing because of the fact that she is an Air Force reservist and was let go from her civilian job like 1000's before her including myself, because our employers cared nothing about the U.S. Military, our duties and responsibilities as a reservist nor the laws protecting our part-time military members so that we can make a civilian living, but also serve part-time so that they are ready when needed for full-time is necessary. We need every job that the Military does from the support and supply roles from the rear up to the infantrymen. No position or place is less in importance than one or the other. We can't win without everyone's help.
So you honestly think TWC fired her for that reason, surely they're not that stupid.
Ferrell W Sellers Jr. No, I don't think that TWC will ever admit in a million years that they did exactly that. Hopefully, Ms. Mitchell has emails, documentation, statements from witnesses, etc, that show things to be as she has stated. But do companies in reality fire or layoff reservists because to the management, the soldier or airman's service obligation is an inconvenience for them as they must schedule changes, pay other employees overtime to cover shifts, etc. Yes, companies do dismiss reservists and guardsman's all day long. People are fired for all kinds of reasons everyday. Many in management don't value the military like you and I do. I have been told by a former boss that his supervisor would tell him in private that he would never want his kid to join any military branch as he views the the U.S. military as a big bully in the world that is always starting trouble somewhere.
NBC/MSNBC's version of a 'hero' is an Occu-tard who craps on police cars – not our men and women in uniform. No wonder they're dead last in ratings. Perhpas they will tap Al Sharpton to be her replacement.
This makes me sick…..I guess we now add the Weather Channel to the Liberal Media Roles.
Seems like NBC and its associated networks are anti-military or at least allow anti-military behavior. Too many recent incidents to not be part of their corporate culture. Too bad, I used to enjoy some of their programming.
Thank you Captain Mitchell for your service.
Fox and it's affiliates need to clean up their act. If this situation is not reconciled I will recommend to my friends that they discontinue listening to or viewing Fox news of any kind. Yours truly……….a Viet Nam Veteran.
Is anyone really surprised that a left-wing organization like NBC would do such a thing. God bless the Captain and hope takes them for all their worth. Their actually worthless from a moral point of view.
Is anyone really surprised that a left-wing organization like NBC would do such a thing. God bless the Captain and hope takes them for all their worth. Their actually worthless from a moral point of view.
I will not use the Weather Channels in the future.
Thanks Doug
If you listen to all the media services you will see that all of them are pro Obama and not pro Military.
And MSNBC and NBC are the worst of them.
I stopped the weather channel also because of their liberal beliefs..their global warming propaganda is so evident since NBC took them over..