Workload Policies and Standards.
A. Monthly goals for editorial production.
1. Effective upon ratification of this Agreement, PNS will transition from individual story production goals measured in a unit system to a system based on goals set monthly for the entire editorial department. The managing editor will set the month’s total newsroom story and newscasts targets prior to the first business day of that month. Reporters will be able to track production on an individual and group basis throughout the month.
2. Based on the overall targets for any month, individual reporters will be equitably assigned stories and newscasts based on full time equivalent (FTE) status, provided:
a. No full time reporter will be required to work more than a forty (40) hour average work week each calendar month. This average work week is pro- rated based on a reporter’s FTE status (e.g., .75 FTE = average 30 hours per week, .5 FTE = average 20 hours per week, and .25 FTE = average 10 hours per week).
b. Newly hired reporters in the employee’s ramp up period will be assigned a reduced workload by the managing editor.
c. A reporter assigned to assist in hiring and training of new employees will have their workload reduced proportionately in any month the employee is involved in these activities.
d. A reporter assigned to a specific state or states will be assigned stories in the state(s) the reporter covers before receiving assignments for other states or regions.
e. The managing editor will determine special projects assignments. A reporter’s workload will be reduced if the reporter is assigned special projects in a month, including if a reporter is required to assist in media outlet outreach to increase pick up in an assigned state. A reporter will not be required to be primarily responsible for managing media outlet data.
3. Management may determine the priority of story assignments for each reporter by deadline, funding source, state, or any other factor as needed.
4. If in an individual month, the editorial department exceeds the overall newsroom targets, all reporters will receive a five percent (5%) bonus to their monthly salary paid in the following month.
5. Reporters who do not meet assignment goals may be subject to a time-limited performance improvement plan or other forms of progressive discipline as outlined in Article 11: Employment Security.
6. If PNS creates any new products/services during the life of this Agreement, such products/services will be discussed with the Labor Management Committ...
