Thread regarding ViacomCBS layoffs

How did this article get buried?
https://www.upliftingtoday.com/2019/01/cbs-and-jonbenet-ramseys-brother-settle-750-million-lawsuit-after-he-claimed-documentary-suggested-he-k–led-her/

Slamdunk post.

Well said, first two posters! BRAVO!

Interesting. Perhaps another classification can be added to the suit?

Full time temp workers employed by CBS Corporation [the broadcasting company, now Hackman]/under the IBEW Local 45 contract have a unique relationship and situation. The CBA between the IBEW and CBS provided that 'persons who are working full-time be considered temporary employees; until they had completed 52 weeks of continuous employment'- then they would be considered "Staff" and their benefit package would substantially increase in value. The Staff benefits are greater than the Temp benefits in the areas of vacation pay, stock packages [matching and options], retirement, sick days, and medicals.  This provision (which was wiped out in 2002, but not disclosed in writing to the affected until 2014) was central to the employment compensation.  

The contract 'addendum' provided in 2015 required that the full-time working employees work fifteen consecutive years before becoming Staff.

Employees have noticed the 52-week provision for years, often spoke about it to either CBS or the Union, and in every instance but one, nothing changed.  As a retiree, I was informed of an employee who in 2013 mentioned to CBS HR (and the union brass) that he should have received the staff described compensation. That employe was fired a mere two weeks after mentioning the violation (to both the union and CBS) and then contacted the NLRB.  

The NLRB issued a preliminary finding supporting the employee's claim and required CBS to reinstate him. CBS complied to the NLRB request and restored the employee to his prior position. The Union then requested CBS provide the employee with the requisite Staff compensation. CBS refused, in writing, advising the Union that providing Staff compensation would violate a side agreement the IBEW had with CBS. The employee, happy to be working, withdrew his complaint and the NLRB closed the file. 

Ironically, denying employees their contractual benefits (courtesy of the Labor Relations Dept. in Los Angeles) was not exercised at CBS' East Coast operations. Interesting.

Another example to corroborate the collusion theory: Another employee asked CBS to detail the benefits Staff employees receive. His inquiry was diverted by CBS HR and told to contact the union.  When he asked the Union, he was told, in no uncertain terms, to drop the subject. The employee was demoted after raising the issue with the union. CBS HR had little to add when the employee returned with the original inquiry regarding why the full time temp benefits were in the wrong fund, or why they were paying market rate for their health insurance.

Citing contract deficiencies to CBS were resolved by both CBS and IBEW working in tandem. Delivering veiled threats were not uncommon. CBS TV City's defense was 'If forced to comply, we will just terminate the employee before paying the Staff increase'. 

Collusion, failure to represent members and unpaid compensation has been an effective strategy in reducing labor costs. The value of full-time temp employees lost benefits are roughly $17,000 for each year those affected did not receive the larger package.  *Employees' claims may be slightly higher (or lower) each year, depending on stock prices and individual contributions. 

Over seventy employees have been affected with some going back close to seventeen years.

CBS cares.

The temp labor situation at CBS is similar to the Microsoft debacle in the late 1990s. https://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/13/business/technology-temp-workers-at-microsoft-win-lawsuit.html

What a post! This individual should replace Bakish.

This is only the beginning of what will prove to be a difficult time for the corporation as they continue to willfully act in gross negligence. These actions continue to prove that the current leadership is willfully taking risks without any concern for the negative implications that these abrupt decisions have on the current employees (both personally and professionally). Time is up for this uneducated and conflicted group of employees making poor decisions. While the plummeting stock speaks volumes to the lack of confidence in this current regime, we all need to remind ourselves how powerful we are when we come together with a common goal. For the employees who have tirelessly built these brands up, to somehow losing control and are graciously “leaving” - bless you. But let’s all start the checks and balances process to hold the “synergy” ‘team accountable. Now THAT is what we call “unlocking the power” of this combined company. And show the executives that we are sick and tired of allowing them to make basic business mistakes which the employees have to pay for. Time to call upper management out. And put a stop to this tumultuous, disorganized transition team. How about try being bold and declaring no more “cost efficiency” efforts through lay-offs and truly TRULY unlocking the power of this combined company through empowering us to showcase our diverse skill set that is sought out industry wide. Empowering your current employees is how you do this. Not random layoffs and hat trick, Hail Mary attempts with a singular KPI of making investors happy. News flash they are unhappy and know layoffs mean the top and best candidates are lost and the remaining candidates are the staff who can’t get the work done impactfully. Try trusting your current employees. We were hired for a reason and are the best of the industry. It doesn’t take a trust fund, MBA or corporate politics to make a company successful. It’s the work. I trust that the leadership has woken up to realize that the fake announcements and fluff filled text isn’t enough to prove increased profits and emerging tech/tactics. Time for a new strategy. Let’s do this.

Is the FBI still investigating the capital purchase manipulation at CBS or are they done? I know they looked at the books in NY, but don't know if they looked at TVC.