WGA East, Entercom At Odds Over Union's Fears Of 'Cross-Utilization' Plans At WCBS-A And WINS-A/New York

Union Fears Staff Merger

The WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA, EAST is battling ENTERCOM over plans by the owner of News WCBS-A and News WINS-A/NEW YORK for "cross-utilization" of staffers at both stations, reports the NEW YORK DAILY NEWS.

The union, in negotiations with the company over a new contract for its members, is claiming that ENTERCOM is insisting on allowing staffers for each station to do work for either station, with WINS editor PHIL PILATO telling the NEWS that "ENTERCOM now wants something that would allow them to cut the staffs of both stations and water down the news New Yorkers get by having the same people work at both stations -- in essence making it one newsroom.” The issue is the same raised during negotiations with previous owner CBS in 2005, resolved by tabling the issue with a letter from the union agreeing that it could be brought up for discussion at a future date. Union spokesperson JASON GORDON said that while the union is not in favor of consolidating staffs, it would be open to discussing the issue if a written proposal is offered.

For its part, ENTERCOM says that it has no intention of merging WINS and WCBS staffs, telling the NEWS that "we have never proposed that and do not intend to operate these separate brands in that manner.” A letter to ENTERCOM signed by almost two dozen elected officials, including Rep. ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ (D-NY), says that the politicians "oppose any effort by ENTERCOM to use cross-utilization as a means to consolidate the newsrooms at 1010 WINS and WCBS NEWSRADIO 880. We stand with the men and women who bring us the news.”

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