Viacom Says Uncle in Permalancer Dispute

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Mixed Media

by Jeff Bercovici

Main

Regretting the Error, Spectacularly Fox Biz Seeks Answers in the Occult

Dec 12 2007 3:40PM EST

Verily, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Viacom has made major concessions to its long-tem freelancers, who have been protesting the company's effort to dilute or eliminate many of their benefits.

In a memo obtained by both Gawker and Silicon Alley Insider, the executive vice president of human resources for MTV Networks says the freelancers' "input" -- a nice euphemism for "feral howls of rage" -- has caused Viacom to rethink its plans. Among the changes: Employees will have the option of keeping their existing health and dental plans, the deadline for switching has been pushed back, and some permalancers will be moved into staff jobs.

UPDATE, 4:46 p.m.: From a freelancer: "Things are going pretty well. We got our 401K (though still unmatched), we got our old health care and benefits for the most part...still holding out for paid holidays."

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