DECISION AND DIRECTION OF ELECTION
I.
Petitioner, National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians, Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO (“Petitioner” or “NABET”) has duly filed with the Board of Directors of the Office of Compliance (“the Board”) a petition to represent employees of the U.S. Senate Recording Studio, which is under the jurisdiction of the Central Operations Department of the Office of the U.S. Senate Sergeant at Arms ( “Employing Office” or “SAA”). In response to the petition, the Board, acting pursuant to its authorities under Chapter 71 of title 5, United States Code, as applied by section 220 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (the “CAA”), 2 U.S.C. § 1351, and the regulations of the Office of Compliance, has investigated the petition. Finding that there is a question concerning representation, the Board held a pre-election investigatory hearing to develop a record upon which to make a decision.
II.
Recording Studio provides the Senate with television, radio, and videotape services, including live and videotaped gavel-to-gavel coverage of Senate floor and committee proceedings, as well as field coverage of press conferences and other events which occur at sites other than the Senate floor or the Recording Studio. Record at I:115-16. (All Record references are to the Official Transcript of the Pre-Election Investigatory Hearing, Volumes I-VI, referring to the transcript of the hearing conducted on October 23, 1997 and November 4, 10, 12, 17, and 18, 1997, respectively.) The Recording Studio operates two television studios and two radio stations and also offers post-production editing services. Id. The Director of the Recording Studio, now 2 termed the Branch Manager, is responsible for the overall management of the Studio. Id. at I:112-13, 125-26. A number of employees including the Production Manager, Administrative Manager, and the LAN Administrator report directly to him. Id. at I:119.
