WGBH asking for cuts as contract talks with largest union begin

http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2010/08/19/wgbh_asking_for_cuts_as_contract_talks_with_largest_union_begin/?p1=Well_Business_links

Cost savings part of broader overhaul sought by broadcaster
By Johnny Diaz
Globe Staff / August 19, 2010

Officials at WGBH said yesterday that they began negotiations with the public broadcaster’s largest union seeking concessions that include cutting the company’s match for employee retirement plans in half, redefining job descriptions, and moving to a performance-based pay raise system.

WGBH has been in talks with the Association of Employees of the Educational Foundation, Local 1300 of the Communications Workers of America, a 300-member union of writers, editors, production workers, and marketing employees, to reach a new three-year agreement on the current contract that ends on Oct. 31.

The changes WGBH is seeking include redefining job descriptions to allow employees to work across media platforms more easily — for instance, editing for radio, TV and the Web. The station also wants the union to agree to the same 4 percent retirement match that employees in the station’s four other unions have, instead of the current 8 percent. Additionally, officials want to base raises on an employee’s performance instead of automatic yearly raises.

Station officials say the moves are aimed at reducing costs and operating more efficiently in an environment where multimedia is becoming more prevalent in day-to-day operations.

“The way the media is changing around us, people are able to do production in a kind of new way that is in some ways, streamlined or simpler,’’ said Jeanne Hopkins, vice president of communication and government relations at WGBH. “Given the way we are set up, we can’t work in those same ways.’’

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