KING-FM & NPR implementing cuts

From Gord Lansdell’s  Northwest Broadcasters we’ve learned today that classical 98.1  KING-FM has cut three full-time positions and several part-time positions which equal the equivalent of 4-1/2 full-time positions, due to a loss of underwriting income from local arts organizations. Among the cuts were two programming positions and a development position.

 Radio Online is today reporting that NPR will temporarily reduce employee compensation as its management moves to cut spending in response to a projected budget deficit during the COVID-19 pandemic.  An agreement has been ratified between the public broadcasting network & it’s members of SAG-AFTRA union regarding the cuts.  Employee salaries will be reduced on a sliding scale beginning next week, with a maximum cut of 9%. The move does not affect staffers making less than $80,000. NPR is also ending contributions to its employee retirement plan. The reductions will continue September, the end NPR’s fiscal year.  Last month, NPR CEO John Lansing took a 25% pay reduction for the remainder of the fiscal year. Members of NPR’s executive committee also agreed to a 15% pay reduction, and other VPs received a 10% cut. NPR also eliminated executive bonuses for the fiscal year.  NPR agreed not to lay off employees for financial reasons through this fiscal year. The agreement includes optional furloughs for those employees who choose to take a week off without pay.