Stephens Media Group, which owns several Waterntown NY radio stations including Talk WTNY 790 AM, Rock WCIZ Z-93, amd Country WFRY Froggy 97, announced it laid off three full-time employees.
According to WWNY-TV, the three are all on-air personalities - Dianne Chase (her real name) and Froggy themed disc jockeys Webb Foote and Annie Croakley.
Chase, who is the president of Local 51024 of the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians–Communications Workers of America, said about a dozen other part-time employees were also laid off.
However, owner David Stephens denies part-timers were laid off and were instead made aware that the media group is reorganizing jobs, which constitutes some possible change in duties and hours.
He stated the following in an email:
"Some of the part-timers have no change in their current hourly structure at all…a few had some hours reduced, with the potential to add back as other opportunities become available. Of course, adding back these hours is predicated on whether or not the hours we need filled work within their personal schedules. As well, some of the part timers "fill in" during times when full time employees are on vacation, and we expect these opportunities to continue. There were no lay offs for part time employees, however, they were given the option to inform us if they no longer wanted to be considered for part time work. As of this moment, none of the part time employees have informed us of a desire to no longer be considered for part time work."According to Chase, management and the union had been negotiating a contract as recently as last week; employees were informed of the layoffs Thursday.
"They plan on voice tracking and we have been told they are going to voice track mid-day and afternoons, a drive-time position with voice tracking," she said.
Chase said the union is filing charges with the National Labor Relations Board.
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