CBS Broadcasting Layoffs, Part Of Broader Paramount Cuts, Slammed By IBEW As “A Hard Pill To Swallow”
deadline.comThe largest union representing CBS employees is slamming the latest round of Paramount layoffs. Among the divisions of the media company affected by the cutbacks is CBS Broadcasting, which has let go of staffers in New York, Washington and Los Angeles, according to the IBEW.
Paramount Global made an internal announcement about Phase 2 of its ongoing layoffs Tuesday morning, saying 90% of the planned cutbacks will be completed after the new phase.
In all, about 15% of the company’s U.S. jobs are being eliminated. In addition to objecting to Tuesday’s move, the union vowed to closely monitor the review of Paramount’s pending merger with Skydance Media by the FCC and other regulatory agencies. “We’re disappointed that CBS was unable to find a way to retain these highly skilled professionals in their operation,” said IBEW Director of Broadcasting and Telecommunications Robert Prunn. “IBEW members have been producing CBS broadcasts since before the invention of television, and these layoffs are a hard pill to swallow.” In all, about 2,000 employees will be departing the company in the layoffs, which are hitting 15% of the U.S.
workforce. Paramount Co-CEOs George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy and Brian Robbins have said the cuts will help the company achieve $500 million in annual cost savings.
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