WOWK Layoffs

[NewsShoot]

Next Tuesday, they'll be dropping the axe on some union part-timers. Will be interesting to see how the union reacts.

[JustWinBaby]

If they're anything like the union at WTRF, they'll say, "Thank you sir. May I have another?"

[genlock]

Do part timers have union protection?

[Lester]

If they're anything like the union at WTRF, they'll say, "Thank you sir. May I have another?"

Just like they did for voicetracking in radio.

[NewsShoot]

Do part timers have union protection?

My understanding is yes they do. I really don't believe Bray Cary knows what he's up against. I hear that they're bringing in people from all across the state and Ky. and Ohio.

[genlock]

Do part timers have union protection?

My understanding is yes they do. I really don't believe Bray Cary knows what he's up against. I hear that they're bringing in people from all across the state and Ky. and Ohio.

So scab jobs may be available?

[NewsShoot]

Do part timers have union protection?

My understanding is yes they do. I really don't believe Bray Cary knows what he's up against. I hear that they're bringing in people from all across the state and Ky. and Ohio.

So scab jobs may be available?

Yep. I really hope that they get something resolved. I think at least 2 people will be laid off and another has had their benefits cut. There are some really good people working there (that are in the union), then there are some deadbeats as well. But for the most part, I'll support them all. If it comes down to a strike, I WILL NOT cross the picket line. As for the talent, or lack off, they're keeping tight lipped, but one on one, my gut tells me that they'll support the union folks as well.

[Lester]

Wouldn't that be the ultimate union scam. You *MUST* join to work there, but as a part-timer you get ZERO benefit for doing so.

Hopefully they're covered.

[genlock]

It has been a long time since WOWK had union problems.
Didn't the union fail on it's last test of WOWK management?
On a lighter side, we may get to see Bray anchor the 6 pm news.
Are they going to lay off the "good" people and let the deadbeats stay?
If you are going to challenge the union, why not get rid of the deadbeats as well?
On a practical side, with the ratings as they are, a couple of newscasts could be
dumped and nobody would notice.

[NewsShoot]

Wouldn't that be the ultimate union scam. You *MUST* join to work there, but as a part-timer you get ZERO benefit for doing so.

Hopefully they're covered.

I think they are. We'll see what the union has planned for Tuesday when the lay offs happen. They'll either sit and not do anything or they'll have to have some kind of rally to get the word out that Bray doesn't practice what he preaches. I just don't see them laying down and doing nothing. Bray loves to bash the government, state government and state business when they lay off people. He's always preaching about "bringing jobs to the state", "keeping jobs here", blah, blah, blah...let's see if he puts his money where his mouth is. My guess is that he won't until it starts to hit main stream media. I hope that I'm wrong.

[genlock]

Maybe Bray doe not have enough money left to put where his mouth is.
Tough economic times, poor ratings, bad sales equals no money.
Several of the smaller broadcast groups are struggling and
cutting back on newscasts is one way to save money fast.
WSAZ did not face media problems when they cut back the
Charleston newsroom because they came up with a good cover story.
For all WSAZ cuts in Charleston, how many managers were cut?

[NewsShoot]

Maybe Bray doe not have enough money left to put where his mouth is.
Tough economic times, poor ratings, bad sales equals no money.
Several of the smaller broadcast groups are struggling and
cutting back on newscasts is one way to save money fast.
WSAZ did not face media problems when they cut back the
Charleston newsroom because they came up with a good cover story.
For all WSAZ cuts in Charleston, how many managers were cut?

Well, if money is the factor, it's not because it isn't pouring in. Bray and John F. shot themselves in the foot by changing the coverage in the Huntington/Ashland/Ironton metro area, which hurt ratings BAD. That's a no brainer. Whether he's pimping the station to prepare it for sale, I really don't know, but I guess anything is possible, fact of the matter is, WOWK Huntington is already short staffed (except for sales, go figure), so cutting more people is just going to have an ill affect on everybody.

[Big Media]

On a practical side, with the ratings as they are, a couple of newscasts could be
dumped and nobody would notice.

My thoughts exactly.

[NewsShoot]

I agree. Oh well, we'll see what happens. Lunch hour is up and we're in news now. Let's keep our fingers crossed for these folks.

[genlock]

"Changing the coverage in the H-A- metro area"?
I am assuming you don't mean technical coverage area.

[fearpeddler]

i predict the union bendion over to take it up the butt like they have in the past..... sad none of these "strong" unions have any spine anymore...

[genlock]

I didn't think there were many union types left after the parkervision fiasco.
You guys need to drop the cwa and get with the teamsters.
They will bust some management heads.

[fearpeddler]

I can remember as a child when 1 union went on strike or had trouble ALL the unions retaliated. literally....

[Donkey]

Maybe Bray doe not have enough money left to put where his mouth is.
Tough economic times, poor ratings, bad sales equals no money.

...or when you buy a station, bring in a bunch of highly paid "corporate" employees that appear to have no purpose or function other than to fill a seat with multiple year contracts. Are there any of those hires still there?

"Changing the coverage in the H-A- metro area"?
I am assuming you don't mean technical coverage area.

Nope, just news coverage. There have been plenty of times during a news meeting that there has been a phone call with "someone" saying, "don't cover that story it's in Ohio (or Kentucky)" or we won't cover that because it could shed a bad light on an investor or FOB (Friend of Bray).

[JustWinBaby]

As someone who left WVMH of his own free will, the good news for these people is that once they take care of the immediate problems of being laid off, they'll realize how much better off they are not working for that company.