PBS Announces Cutbacks, Pay Cuts For Employees

PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) announced Thursday that it has instituted a series of staff cutbacks and budgetary  reductions to offset a projected $3.4 million budget shortfall in the next fiscal year. Staff members were made aware of the decision at a staff meeting on Wednesday.

According to Broadcasting & Cable, PBS, who has reduced their staff by 10% during the past 6 months, is now at 453 positions, which means about 45 positions have been cut.

Beginning July 1st, PBS will impose a 3.85 percent pay cut on employees, and all pay raises have been cancelled. The pay cut is scheduled to last for 6 months. January, 2010 will bring reductions of PBS' contribution to employee retirement benefits, from 8% to 6% of salary, whihch will also last for 6 months.

According to Michael D. Jones, PBS's chief operating officer, no programming will be affected by the cuts, which will help the broadcaster reach a halfway point of the $3.4 million shortage.

Jones added that the actions would reduce the anticipated budget deficit by half, adding that PBS will find a way to make up the remaining deficit, should it materialize, as the fiscal year unfolds.

The expected revenue shortfall comes after PBS froze the dues it charges its member stations, canceling a planned increase. Some stations, suffering from reduced donations and drops in corporate underwriting of programming, have also had trouble paying their dues outright or on time, leaving PBS to assume the risk, the NY Times reported.

PBS, with its 357 member stations, offers all Americans - from every walk of life - the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches more than 115 million people on-air and online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; hear diverse viewpoints; and take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS' broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry's most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS' premier children's TV programming and Web site, pbskids.org, are parents' and teachers' most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org Web sites on the Internet.

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