NBC News has confirmed that it will lay off a number of its employees, a decision that has sparked backlash from union representatives.
The layoffs, which were described as affecting a double-digit number of employees within its roughly 3,500-person workforce, are expected to affect between 50 and 100 people. The news comes amid a broader trend of workforce reductions at major media outlets, including CNN, NPR and The Washington Post.
Sources familiar with the matter indicate that those affected will receive a 60-day notice, along with severance packages and outplacement services.
scoop @BookNews: NBC News will implement layoffs across the network starting today, according to sources familiar with the matter….The total number of employees affected will be less than 100 (out of thousands of employees).
– Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) January 11, 2024
This news comes on the heels of a similar round of layoffs at NBC News and MSNBC a year ago, which also affected a double-digit number of employees, according to Deadline.
The NBC Digital NewsGuild and The NewsGuild of New York strongly condemned the layoffs, particularly those affecting unionized employees. They assert that any changes to working conditions, including layoffs, must be negotiated, accusing NBC management of violating workers' rights and engaging in union-busting tactics.
The letter states:
NBC management announced Thursday plans to lay off 14 union-represented workers as part of broader layoffs at the company.
The NBC Digital NewsGuild — which represents reporters, editors, designers, video journalists, animators, social media strategists and editorial staff at NBC News Digital — is negotiating its first contract since the union certified in 2019. Any changes in working conditions, including layoffs, must Bargaining.
NYGuild is evaluating all options and expects NBC management to negotiate these proposed layoffs in good faith as required by law. “Instead of terminating more of our colleagues and stalling at the negotiating table, NBC should actually agree to a contract that respects industry standards, including just cause, with its workers,” said Carlene McCarthy, senior vice president of the NBC Guild.
Last January, NBC illegally laid off seven union workers without bargaining, and told several others that — though still employed — they were no longer protected by the union. The NewsGuild of New York filed unfair labor practices charges against NBC, which remain pending in District 2 of the National Labor Relations Board, and the represented workers staged a one-day strike in February.
“NBC management has engaged in a relentless pattern of union busting since the NBC Digital NewsGuild, including threatening and monitoring employees who exercise their rights as union members,” said Susan DeCarava, president of The NewsGuild of New York. “We will fight to protect our members and expect management to abide by the labor law and negotiate with us.”
NEW: News Guild condemns layoffs at NBC News pic.twitter.com/SnLftuBz96
– Ben Mullin (@BenMullin) January 11, 2024
