Cumulus just keeps on giving

[atwater kent]

ATLANTA -- April 29, 2009: Cumulus and Cumulus Media Partners are requiring all employees, including management, to take five days of unpaid furlough between May 1 and June 30. The news was given to employees in a company-wide conference call this morning.

 

[Lemmiwinks]

All things considered, there are worse ways to cut costs. A forced week of unpaid leave across the board is better than mass firings like Clear Channel's been doing.

 

[evening times]

Ugh! the Ticket too?

 

[DFW_Radio_2000]

ATLANTA -- April 29, 2009: Cumulus and Cumulus Media Partners are requiring all employees, including management, to take five days of unpaid furlough between May 1 and June 30. The news was given to employees in a company-wide conference call this morning.

I know this say "all"...But do you know if Part-time employees are required to take part in this?

I would assume not since we, - I mean - they have no benefits and barely receive minimum wage.

 

[Disco Jonn]

Yes, Part-time Employees are also effected. You know, every $29 counts for that 4 hr weekend shift at MINIMUM WAGE!!!!

Hey Lew & John... have you spent all that bonus money you got a couple month's back???

 

[scrtr84]

So a part-timer who works say only one day each week, ends up being out of work at Cumulus for just over a month. I think I could afford one week of unpaid leave, if I was a full timer. But as a part timer, man I'd quit.

 

[blackdog71]

Forget the part time people being angry. The fulltimers are the ones who are going to have to tow the line. Think about it. You cannot have a part time person fill in for another part time person because you would save no money whatsoever. Many of the people who run the board on The Ticket and KLIF are part time. How will those positions be covered without paying another part time person to do it? ??? Cumulus Dallas is already running with a skeleton crew (like the other companies in Dallas). I can see this mandate making some sense if applied to those who are fulltime ( and making tons of money like some of the Ticket guys) but part timers?

 

[salemjedi54]

From the Radio-Info news desk......


" That request apparently does not apply to Cumulus Media’s privately-held sister, Cumulus Media Partners. CMP owns the 33 former Susquehanna Radio stations in mostly larger markets."

Yall should read the news desk, you could learn something!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[blackdog71]

You need to be inside the industry. It does apply to Dallas.

 

[scrtr84]

Forget the part time people being angry. The fulltimers are the ones who are going to have to tow the line. Think about it. You cannot have a part time person fill in for another part time person because you would save no money whatsoever. Many of the people who run the board on The Ticket and KLIF are part time. How will those positions be covered without paying another part time person to do it? ??? Cumulus Dallas is already running with a skeleton crew (like the other companies in Dallas). I can see this mandate making some sense if applied to those who are fulltime ( and making tons of money like some of the Ticket guys) but part timers?

Please reread the original post... The full-timers have to take a week off, between May and June. It doesn't say they all have to do it at the exact same time. So when one full timer takes a week off, the other full timers take on the extra workload, for no additional pay.

Meanwhile it hurts the part timers more, as I previously described.

 

[Gopher]

If the on air talent has a contract how is this legal?

 

[scrtr84]

If the on air talent has a contract how is this legal?

Perhaps a condition on the contract?

 

[salemjedi54]

You need to be inside the industry. It does apply to Dallas.

I am inside the industry....my handle gives you a clue of who I work for. Been working in DFW radio since Dec. 21, 1993

 

[blackdog71]

Then you should know by now that often times, the information on message boards is not correct. You were awfully quick to assume that the other posters were stupid because they did not automatically believe what was written in the news section, when in fact, they were correct.

Concerning those contracts. Employees under contract have the option of not taking the mandatory time off. They were given a form to sign as to whether they will continue to work or opt (for the good of the company) to take the time off as well. If I were in that position, knowing how fragile the job market is and how many people are out of work looking for radio gigs, I would definitely take the time off (just call me a TEAM PLAYER!!!!) ;D

In response to scrtr84's post, I was not trying to negate what you said. You are right about this being a raw deal for part timers. They may not be out a month, though. For example, if they work only 1, 5 hour airshift a week, then they must take off 5 hours. That basically means they must take off one airshift.

Full time employees will end up covering for the part time employees because they are salaried. If they are not under contract and are required to take off an entire week, they will also end up working for the part timers who are off work, yet they will not be paid extra to do so. Part time employees will not be allowed to fill in for anyone.

 

[scrtr84]

Ahh so there is an opt out. In that case, I personally would NOT take the time off, in fear that if I did, I'd get replaced by someone willing to do the same gig for a lower salary. ;D

Damn potential catch 22's

 

[Bob LaBlah]

I would guess the "opt out" is just for the 5 days - I don't think a person would be opting out and forgoing the remainder of the contract. So its not like you relinquish your contract, leave for 5 days and they replace you. No Catch 22.

 

[scrtr84]

I would guess the "opt out" is just for the 5 days - I don't think a person would be opting out and forgoing the remainder of the contract. So its not like you relinquish your contract, leave for 5 days and they replace you. No Catch 22.

Bob,

I was being sarcastic. Sorry you missed it.