People‘s LA Bureau Working Too Hard On The Web Site

The Newspaper Guild of New York accused People of overworking its editorial staffers in its LA bureau, saying that owner Time Inc. is violating an agreement about how and when staffers will work on a publication’s accompanying web site.

Time Inc.’s 2007 agreement with guild-covered staffers at Time, Fortune, Sports Illustrated, Money, and People states that Guild employees may not be required to work for the companion web site.

Time Inc. admitted no wrongdoing.

Witnesses testified in arbitration last week and briefs are due in two weeks, MediaWeek reports.

“Nobody in L.A. doesn’t want to do the work,” guild rep Bob Townsend told MediaWeek. “But they’re working outrageous hours. They’re working their tails off, and they don’t get any compensation for it.”

Our take: Guys, you’re conflating the issues. Overworked staff deserve a break. Staffers complaining that they’re working on a Web site when they’re supposed to be working on print? In 2009? To coin a phrase, people may find it hard to feel sympathetic with the people of People.

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