WKBN-TV seeks contract changes

YOUNGSTOWN -- Union workers at WKBN-TV are being asked to alter their contract to save the station money.
The station's contract with Local 47 of the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians expires Feb. 1, 2004, but management recently asked that talks on the contract be reopened, said Joe Bell, a reporter and union shop steward.
He said the union was told that the station's owner, Gocom of Charlotte, N.C., is looking for cost savings.
"This is something that came up as an emergency," Bell said.
He said he couldn't talk about specifics because the union and management will be meeting over the bargaining table over the next couple weeks.
Bell said he wasn't surprised that the local union was asked to make contract changes because Gocom has taken cost-cutting measures at other stations it owns.
Roland Adeszko, station general manager, declined comment.
Local 47 covers about 40 photographers, reporters, directors and production assistants.