Re: Entercom imposes contract on AFTRA

[Dave Faneuf <tklaundry@juno.com>]

On Thu, 23 Jan 2003 19:04:04 -0500 "tony schinella" <radiotony@attbi.com>
writes:
> First off, I didn't say they were only working six minutes, I said 
> they were
> only on the air for six minutes.

Dave:
So you only have to pay people for the actual time on air?

Tony:
> I know what goes on in WRKO's news department since I have been over 
> there
> to cut ads before. But most of the work is behind the scene, 
> preparing text
> or working on stories, not broadcasting for an hour, that was my 
> point. 

Dave:
Most of a reporter/anchor's job is done off-air yep, and you are paying
for their expertise both on the air and off air.  I have also observed
the anchors/reporters at WRKO and they are among the best still working
in the business.

Tony:
> well, some of the "talent" aren't even making $100,000 at WRKO so 
> why would
> the news reporter make over $50,000 and why would they cry about 
> making
> between $43-50k when most in the industry either AREN'T working or 
> CAN'T
> find work - in addition, even more people in other industries aren't
> working?

Dave:
So you want to penalize an experienced professional because people in
other industries are unemployed?  I fail to see the logic in this one,
should everyone take a pay cut when the unemployment figures go up?  Does
everyone get a pay raise when unemployment is down?   As for some of the
"talent" not making 100K a year, what has that got to do with hiring the
best talent available for news?    WRKO afterall bills itself as a News
and Talk station.

Tony:
> From the Citizen's Housing and Planning Association: "In the Boston
> metropolitan area, a family needs to earn $42,040 annually to afford 
> an
> average 2 bedroom apartment and $52,560 to afford an average 3 
> bedroom
> apartment."
> But what this doesn't take into account is that the majority of 
> people in
> Boston don't live alone or on one salary - they have roommates or 
> sign-oths
> who also work, lowering the amount of money ONE person needs to live 
> in the
> metro area to earn. 

Dave:
That means if you are married with children, just to afford an apartment
you have to give up hope of sending you kid(s) to college, or buying a
home, or taking vacations...because you can forget about saving money and
getting ahead.  

Tony:
The average wage in Massachusetts in 2000 was 
> $44,326,
> according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. So, the average wage 
> earner
> could easily afford a two-bedroom in the metro area, by themselves.

Dave:
I don't have the document in front of me, but you might be looking at the
average Household income.  That is a far cry from the per capita income
which I believe in Massachusetts is slightly over 20K

Tony:
> However, rents are thankfully coming down. I saw a two bedroom 
> apartment in
> Winchester last week for $1,400. I knew about a three bedroom in 
> Arlington
> for $1,500 that was recently rented by an acquaintance. We pay 
> $1,000 for a
> two bedroom in Somerville and had a big one bedroom in Mission Hill 
> for
> $1,000 two years ago. So, if you look, you can find a bargain.
> Housing costs aren't really the point to all this. The point is, 
> what will
> you do to work in an industry you want to work in? Some people have 
> to take
> pay cuts or freezes to fend layoffs. Isn't it worth it if you love 
> your job?

Dave:
Gosh, now I feel guilty, I guess I'll be giving my paycheck back
df