Freelancers Walk Out at MTV Networks.

[MattSh]

Scores of workers from MTV Networks walked off the job yesterday afternoon, filling the sidewalk outside the headquarters of its corporate parent, Viacom, to protest recent changes in benefits.

The walkout highlighted the concerns of a category of workers who are sometimes called permalancers: permanent freelancers who work like full-time employees but do not receive the same benefits.

Waving signs that read “Shame on Viacom,” the workers, most of them in their 20s, demanded that MTV Networks reverse a plan to reduce health and dental benefits for freelancers beginning Jan. 1.

More --->> http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/11/business/media/11mtv.html?hp

[Occulus]

1. These are called "casuals" in the USPS. n/t

edit: anyone else want to chime in with their employer's name for this class of employee?

another edit: my fault, I read the article. Postal managers give our casuals less then what these people have.

USPS casual employees receive no benefits of any kind, but work more hours on the same jobs as full-time regular employees. This denies them health benefits, vacation time, sick leave, holidays (including Christmas Day and New Year's Day)... and they receive one day off instead of two, which can shift at no notice.

All of the above, all of it, is in the lap of postal management. they have the power to change this.

None of this is criticism on the USPS; all of it is directed at management. Just so nobody tries to accuse me of maligning the USPS.

Sad, that I have to go that far to protect myself.