MSNBC's Olbermann credits the Guild with saving his career

In an interview prior to moderating last night's AFL-CIO's Presidential Candidates Forum, MSNBC's "Countdown" host, Keith Olbermann said the News Media Guild * saved his career years ago after a boss who'd returned from a liquid lunch "fired me on the spot and said 'you don’t give the managers no lip. You get your stuff and get out of here.'”

"If that firing had held I might not have been able to continue in broadcasting."

How was the Guild able to get Olbermann reinstated? He was covered by a union contract that provided protections against discharge without just cause. The union contested his dismissal and prevailed, which allowed Olbermann to continue on in his chosen career.

*The Media Guild was formerly called Wire Service Guild and is a local of The Newspaper Guild-CWA.