First on TVNewser: As a continuation of the restructuring of ABC News, TVNewser has learned that throughout the day today union employees representing technical jobs at both ABC News and ABC daytime are being told that they are going to be offered buyouts from their jobs.
The jobs represent studio and control room positions of news programs, as well as “The View” and the soap opera “One Life to Live” for employees who are in the NABET union.
The news division is installing an automated control room for its main studio on 66th street which will eliminate the need for some technical jobs. As we reported over the weekend, “Good Morning America” Weekend moved from Times Square to ABC’s main studio on the Upper West Side, also resulting in the elimination of some positions. Insiders could not put an exact figure on how many volunteers they will be looking for, but that these cuts fit in to the 350-400 jobs which were cut earlier this year. If too few technical employees take a buyout, layoffs are possible.
During the first round of buyouts announced in February, NABET members had to talk to their union reps if they were interested in taking a buyout. Today’s news takes the buyout process, and the restructuring of ABC News, one step further.