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September 11, 2009 in City
Woodward let go after 19 years at KREM
Nadine Woodward, photographed at her home Friday, Sept. 11, 2009, said she was let go by KREM-TV station management after 19 years as an anchor.
(Full-size photo)
Veteran Spokane TV news anchor Nadine Woodward said she was targeted by station management for a 15 percent pay cut, then let go when she and the station couldn’t agree on terms.
Woodward, 47, worked for 19 years at KREM, owned by Texas-based Belo Corp. She was the station’s highly visible co-anchor during newscasts at 5, 6, 10 and 11 p.m.
Her last work day was Monday, said station General Manager Jamie Aitken.
“I think it was all about salary. Plus I think they could get somebody in there who would work for half my salary. And they could care less. It’s the nature of the business,” Woodward said.
She declined to discuss salary in detail. “I made a decent income,” she added.
Aitken said no replacement has been hired.
“It’s unfortunate we couldn’t come to terms with Nadine and we wish her the best. It’s our policy not to discuss employee issues,” Aitken said in an e-mail to the newspaper.
Woodward was due to renew her five-year contract by Sept. 7. She said Aitken, who came to KREM two years ago, insisted she accept a 15 percent pay cut along with changes to her work schedule.
Woodward said she believes management “thought they had me over a barrel” because her husband, Bruce Felt, was let go by KREM in April. He had worked at the station 18 years and was a promotion producer, Woodward said. Felt is still out of work, Woodward said.
Initially Woodward told the company she would take a 5 percent cut, the same as many KREM managers reportedly were being made to take, said Woodward. That offer was not accepted.
Woodward said she eventually offered to take the 15 percent cut but not with the requirement that she give up a flexible work schedule. Her previous contract allowed her to take Friday nights off, to come in an hour later and to have a two-hour lunch. “Those were items I negotiated so that I could pick up my kids from school” and allow the family to have dinner together, she said. Until this year, no company managers thought those conditions unacceptable, she said.
She rejected the latest offer. When her contract expired, KREM gave her a formal letter of termination, she said.
“This could have worked out. But they backed me into a corner and let the clock run out. They basically terminated me.
“I’ve never been treated with more disrespect and dishonor in 25 years in this business,” Woodward added.
Immediate plans are unclear, she said. She asked for but was refused severance, she said. She also asked Aitken to release her from a six-month non-compete clause that keeps her from working for another TV station here.
KREM did not give her that release, she said.
She’s contacted potential employers in the past week. “There are opportunities. But it’s going to take a while before I can exercise any of them if they hold me to my non-compete clause,” she said.
Woodward added she’s consulted a lawyer who told her she has solid grounds to challenge the non-compete portion of the contract.
Garco awarded $35.8 million Joint Base Lewis-McChord contract 
msredleg on September 11 at 6:34 p.m.
Are you serious? You let Nadine go? There are few things inviolable in this area of the country. One of them is big city and big money don’t mess with those we know and love. Take your your Texas based company and go away. You don’t deserve the trust and respect we grow in this state. I am leaving with Nadine.
jazzyvandal on September 11 at 6:45 p.m.
Boo to KREM! good luck Nadine. Hope to see you on the air again
reservedparking on September 11 at 6:47 p.m.
KREM’s & Spokane’s loss. She will land somewhere with a much better boss, and probably better pay than in this backwoods market. Shame on the GM.
Maximilien on September 11 at 7:05 p.m.
I have been watching the local news on channel 2 since i
move to Spokane in the early 90 and it was because of
Carles Row, Nadine Woodward and Tom Sherry but never
watch the national news on channel 2.I do not know who and run that Station but they sound stupid and money hungry.
From now on i will watch channel 4 & 6 and fox and i will remove
channel 2 with the use of the remote just like they removed
Nadine her husband and maybe they force Charles Row out
to with that remote manager that my come from Texas where he should return.Adios channel 2 and Nadine hope to see you soon at another station.
ljmay2010 on September 11 at 7:05 p.m.
BIG Mistake! Hope you land somewhere that appreciates you and your talent, Nadine. You go, I go!
famingo on September 11 at 7:24 p.m.
I cannot believe the disrespect the GM is giving Nadine and also her husband! We love to watch Randy, Tom,, Nadine and the others, but ch 2 does not deserve our dedication. Too bad, what a mistake for letting Nadine go! Wow! Unbelievable!
We hope she gets a way better postion and rate of pay somewhere that appreciates her… we will follow you Nadine. No one deserves to be treated like that.
Rifleman_Dodd on September 11 at 8:08 p.m.
Why does management believe they can treat employees like machines? I just dont get it. People are our most important product.
Ok she offered to take the 15 percent cut.. and you could have negotiated the working hours. A two hour lunch is probably not workable now since obviously her kids are older. and her husband isnt working so he could have taken up the slack.
I think both sides were foolish, albeit KREM was more foolish than Nadine. Now days any job is better than no job. I’d predict her pay was maybe close to $85,000? I wonder if she will sign up for unemployment bennies? She’s earned them.
Unfortunately they will just get a cheaper, prettier, younger, talking head bimbo to fill her spot.
The non-compete clause is perhaps invalid since they terminated her w/no severance vs. her quitting. I’d take their pattooties to court most ricky tick and make them bleed till they are dry.
BTW Jamie Aitkens (guy) is pretty much a loser who never answers his emails/voice mails anyway. any complaints can be sent to John Diaz at Belo in TX.
sigh on September 11 at 8:57 p.m.
I can’t believe someone could be so insensitve, and foolish enough to let Nadine Woodward go! I too switched to KREM for Randy Shaw, completing the best team ever for news. Nadine is a very important link in a valuable, talented team. She is heartwarming, talented, intelligent, and an ICON for Spokane. She will be missed. I wish her all the best, and hope she finds more that she seeks. I too am ticked that KREM diabled the comment section for this story. They probably knew the site would not handle the backlash…. I will be looking for you Nadine…..
BTW Jamie Aitkens should be fired, he never answers his emails/voice mails anyway. any complaints can be sent to John Diaz at Belo in TX.
joetheinformed on September 11 at 9:29 p.m.
I have watched Krem2 news for years but lately am tired of their right wing agenda. Now that I see how they treat their long term employees I am more convinced they are right wing zealots running the company. I hope they lose viewers. Nadine seemed to be a real family values person, so I thought that would be something they would like. But people like that only think about money, nothing else. Anyway, good luck to you Nadine, I wish you the best.
schleufer on September 11 at 9:37 p.m.
having been victemized by the bean counters myself…its not just the taking it in the shorts, its the reading about the ceo’s pay and the bonuses they get after screwing the people. if you want to see what the ceo of your company makes check this AFL web site. http://www.aflcio.org/corporatewatch/paywatch/index.cfm
it seems to me that they didnt think about all the bad local press that would come from this. this just made krem look really bad.
gotgeek on September 11 at 9:41 p.m.
Whenever I turned to TV for news it was channel 2 that I tuned into. Nadine was an important part of why I chose KREM. I think I’ll go to Spokane Public Radio (91.9, 91.1) for my local and national news from now on.
Rifleman_Dodd on September 11 at 9:45 p.m.
Nadine should run for Mayor or County commissioner.
Tort2 on September 11 at 11:04 p.m.
I can’t believe KREM let her go?!?!?!
She IS the most respected and trusted news anchor on the news today!!! What a HUGE MISTAKE!!! I admit, I used to watch KHQ because of the comradery with Randy Shaw and Debra Wilde, but once Debra was gone - it wasn’t the same! I was thrilled when I heard Randy was going to KREM. I’m not saying that Nadine couldn’t hold her own (she obviously did for 19 years!!), but adding Randy to the mix with Nadine and Tom Sherry made this my favorite news channel to watch!!!
KREM you have screwed up BIG TIME! Spokane will not tolorate this. Nadine is a local treasure and she will not go down peacefullly and neither will the Spokane demographic!!!!
BELO - SHAME ON YOU!
(I’d like to say something else, but it’s not printable)
Tort_2
dmmay on September 11 at 11:13 p.m.
Seems KREM has a tough time making the transition from summer to fall. It let me go in August of 1985. Trashy office politics were the cause. It wasn’t BELO then… but no matter.
Some stations will never understand or learn that the viewing public grows familiar and comfortable with anchors. The guys and gals are invited into their homes day after day. Then somebody in management gets a wild hair that “money could be saved” if we don’t renew a contract of an “old timer” at the station. Sad.
Hang in there Nadine. By the way, I believe a competent attorney would tell you that because the company let you go… the “no-compete” is null and void. Good luck
Dennis May
Icanflynow on September 11 at 11:30 p.m.
Wow - I think she’s the best anchor in Spokane bar none and I’m picky. Best of luck Nadine, I’m going to miss you very much.
pj on September 11 at 11:32 p.m.
Nadine, let us know where you wind up… We’ll follow !!! Krem is now off my t.v. on every thing as far as I am concerned…
spokanecougar on September 12 at 12:45 a.m.
That is a shame, she was probably the best news person in Spokane. Although I kind of stopped watching KREM when KHQ and KXLY started broadcasting in HD, I always liked Nadine. Hopefully she goes to KXLY and replaces the annoying Robin Nance or Dave Erickson, or goes to KHQ and does something like they did on KREM when Charles Rowe was there and Randy Shaw started. She needs to stay in Spokane, but probably KXLY cant afford her (they barely can afford to show a newscast on the weekends) and she can get better money and a better job in another market.
Also, does anyone know when KREM ever will get with the rest of the country and start broadcasting in HD? I asked but never got a e-mail reply back…..great community relations.
spokanebob on September 12 at 5:30 a.m.
I’m glad the ‘comments’ forum, along with the full story regarding Ms Woodward’s termination, is available here at Spokesman.com.
I noted that the ‘comments’ area under Ms Woodward’s story on the KREM website seems to be ‘disabled’.
We have only lived in Spokane for several years, but have grown to enjoy and trust the news team at KREM. It is a shame and disappointment that a news anchor of Ms Woodward’s ability was let go in such a manner. Her presence at the news desk will be sorely missed by our household.
Live on September 12 at 8:22 a.m.
This is just another example of Big Companies or Corporations who bring an outsider in to run a local company. Someone who has no ties to our community. They’re AXMan….they have no allegiance or loyalty to dedicated, residents of our area who are employed here for years. These people have no regard for the person, in this case Nadine. Good for you, Nadine, for holding your ground! Good for you for standing strong! On the flip side, I am so sorry you lost your job because you stood up for yourself and your family. Disrespect for “the individual” is a disease running rampant in many Corporations. KREM , in particular,Jamie Aitkens, is the “biggest loser”. You have many friends that will stand behind you here in Spokane. Best of Luck to you….
BT on September 12 at 8:54 a.m.
I’ve lived in Spokane for over 45 years, and I remember Nadine when she first started working for them…Shame on them!! Being a newscaster really isn’t what its all cracked up to be in the first place!! You live behind closed windows just to have a private life and have your kids grow up normal..yeah the money isn’t bad, but really making her take such a huge cut when the ratings are high..come on!!
This is one station that I won’t watch…BOYCOTT!!!!! Sorry Tom about your turkey drive, but unless you move to another station I can’t support you….I’ll have to support KHQ
karaokegal on September 12 at 11:02 a.m.
I am appalled that Mr. Big in texas fired someone as well liked as Nadine. I will be watching the other local news channels from now on. I will miss Tom and Randy but this is unforgivable. Good bye idiot from texas.
myfadedrainbow on September 12 at 12:06 p.m.
I cannot believe that that is how a company would treat such a dedicated employee and a legend in our community. She has been a trusted face and a trusted voice for years past and they let her go as if it was no big deal. Well guess what mr. idiot texas “man” you made a big mistake letting her go. When you got rid of her you got rid of thousands of viewers. Nadine, my heart goes out to you! I will no longer watch krem2, nor will I ever visit the website again. I will make sure to tell every about this unforgivable act.
BELO- You should wait for a letter from KHQ thanking you for all the business. As much as I love Tom and all the wonderful things he accomplishes here, I will no longer be a part of it. I will support KHQ from here on out and anywhere that Nadine decides to go. And for the fact of not wanting her to work for a competitor for 6 months is because you know she is amazing and talented and that when she goes somewhere else her fans will follow. Get a clue.
tcionwy on September 12 at 12:35 p.m.
I moved to Spokane about 25 years ago and watched Krem at 5 for Nadine and Tom, and KHQ at 6 for Randy. Well finally all my needs were met by the greatest team ever put together and only watched KREM for all my news needs. Letting Nadine go is the worst mistake Aitken could make, well at least the last one in a long line of mistakes. He has broken a well oiled machine that was heartwarming, talented and has lost this viewer. Nadine was an ICON for Spokane. I wish her all the best, and know such a genuine person will find all she seeks for herself and her family. AITKEN needs to be fired to save the station.
kdmas58 on September 12 at 1:22 p.m.
That’s what negotiations are for KREM! You give a little and you take a little. Money is more important to you than family values. Who thinks watches your news? Yep families. So basically you are screwing all of us. And people are tired of being screwed. But in the end you’re also screwing yourself because we are moving on. I hope Nadine and her husband move onward and upward and never look back at a crappy station that screwed them!
misjustice on September 12 at 7:25 p.m.
I was Christmas shopping a few years ago at Northtown Mall & saw Nadine Christmas shopping with several people. She is NOTHING like she seems when giving the news or “on air”. Some shoppers wanted her autograph & she said no. She said she was busy shopping & this was her “private” time. She turned and walked away!
She was very arrogant to the fans and I haven’t watched KREM 2 since then (& I wasn’t the one wanting the autograph).
So, before jumping to conclusions, maybe the management knows something we don’t.
myfadedrainbow on September 12 at 8:46 p.m.
Gramma: Step in her shoes, all she wanted to do was xmas shop for her family. how often do you think she gets bombarded with autograph askings? Probably a lot, so let her just have her peace, I doubt she was arrogant you probably just saw a normal woman stressed in a situation. Don’t judge a person off of 5 minutes of what you saw. Are you perfect 24/7? Do you never have a bad day or are you always perky and would love for people to walk up to you all the time and invade your personal space.
Think before you speak!
mikewsu on September 13 at 3:27 p.m.
Looking forward to seeing Nadine on another Spokane station. Been watching KREM for years, even though they never went HD. Just gives me a final reason to stop watching KREM’s news.
Gramma: It’s pretty tacky to ask for autographs from local newscasters while they are shopping on their own time, at a mall. Who does that anyways? Creepy people?
mhoward on September 14 at 8:18 a.m.
Ahh…the joy of being a patsy to the corporate media giants.
Remember when Randy Shaw was ousted at KHQ and was hired by Belo? That was when I switched from KHQ to KREM. KXLY are you behaving yourself?
Perhaps they can outsource all the local news and
eliminate the anchors completely. That would make a few yacht or country club membership payments.
Nadine, your loyalty, knowledge and work ethic will take you further than 19 years with Belo (the belt). My advise, stay home, enjoy your family. Start a blog or something you own the rights to. I’m sure whatever you choose your termination will be a blessing in the long run.
Watch yourself Tom…Thanksgiving is coming up!
abschott on September 14 at 9:11 a.m.
As a newcomer to Spokane having moved from San Diego I found the most professional news anchor in this city to be Nadine Woodward. Her delivery of news, personal appearance and concern for the community were top notch every day. You have to pay for that professional person in any city and she was the best in all of Spokane.
Annette Schott
toms on September 14 at 10:16 a.m.
i’d be curious to know if other TV stations in town offer the same perks to anchors that Nadine got. It might be worth asking that question. Anyone have inside stuff?
philipgregory on September 14 at 12:22 p.m.
General Manager Jamie Aitken is a corpoarate hatchet-man!
What can viewers do when a company acts dishonorably?
Change channels!
PlanB on September 14 at 3:45 p.m.
What a stupid, stupid, stupid move by Jamie Aitken and KREM. Break up the number one news team when things are so rough for news outlets? It makes no business sense, especially when she was willing to negotiate. It’s not as if she were demanding a raise, or more time off, or additional benefits. Quite the opposite.
KREM made an unreasonable offer which she refused and then they (KREM) did not continue to negotiate in good faith. She had to take it or leave it.
I am biased, however. Bruce and Nadine are great people. Nadine is not arrogant or stuck up in the least.
TracyG on September 14 at 6:33 p.m.
Where is the picket/protest line? The GM Aitken needs to be fired for such a stupid decision and the new GM should rehire Nadine back.
spokanecougfan on September 14 at 6:53 p.m.
Holy Cow! Nadine for mayor!!! I like it!!! KREM really screwed up on this one. To the ill named ‘joetheinformed’ Nadine is an incredible person of faith, so she must be part of the big KREM right wing plan to fire herself right? And to Gramma at the mall,___ Wow. Merry Christmas man! I’ll bet it’s fun at your place on Dec. 25th!
Go Nadine! Let us all know where you land and we’ll follow! Are you listening KHQ and Fox 28!!!! (Oh sorry that’s more right wing conspiracy stuff!)
eagleproducer on September 14 at 8:46 p.m.
Why such a fuss about the non-renewal of a contract for a newscaster? I don’t remember even a half dozen comments left on a story when 400 District 81 teachers received pink slips last April.
Did I miss something, or did the requirements for a news anchor somehow radically change from the ability to read a tele-prompter and look reasonably nice on television into something more connected to a local culture? Nadine was the pretty young face when she arrived, and as is the nature of the beast, will be replaced by the next pretty young face.
What kind of loser asks for an autograph from a new anchor working in a small market? Probably the same losers lined up to get autographs at Spokane Indians games.
Maybe I should go on e-bay to see if the program bill from “Starlit Stairway” signed by Ira Joe Fisher in the early 70’s is worth anything these days. Or maybe Gramma wants to buy it?
myOPINIONonly on September 16 at 5:29 a.m.
I worked with Nadine when she first came to Spokane 19 years ago. I was her producer for the 6:30 and 11pm news (Hi Nadine if you are reading this!) She was ALWAYS pleasant to work with, kind, knowledgeable, and I knew she would be a big success. I hope viewers and advertisers send a strong message to KREM that this is NOT acceptable and that viewers are not as gullible as management thinks you are. Write, call and voice your displeasure…
It’s about time an anchor had the nerve to tell a station in no uncertain terms how they were treated.
SHAME ON YOU KREM and Mr. Aitken .. remember what goes around comes around.
Nadine, I expect to see you on another station in Spokane and I hope you take all your viewers with you!!!
misjustice on September 16 at 10:09 a.m.
Awe, myfadedrainbow. I am not in the public eye & therefore do not have to worry about signing autographs or being rude to the public.
It doesn’t matter if she was shopping on her free time or not. She represented that station and she did so 24/7. What matters is that a person wanted her autograph (& thought enough of her to ask for it) and she was rude to them.
Does that mean she only has to be nice when she’s on a camera? Yes, she was arrogant. I know arrogance when I see it and she was arrogant & rude.
garfnagn on September 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Nadine = MILF icon for zit faced Spokane teenager boys. Now she’s gone.
heyricky on September 18 at 4:10 p.m.
I don’t like the way KREM treated Nadine so I’m looking at the other two local stations to see which I prefer. I was a religious KREM viewer since moving here in 2003 but I’m switching.
Sponsors of KREM take note of these comments.
Richard
jewels08 on September 18 at 5:48 p.m.
Good for Nadine for standing behind what she believes and not letting the network bully her into a contract that she doesn’t agree with for herself and her family. I look forward to seeing her on another news broadcast. Shame on KREM for being so disrespectful!
sassyblondeinwa on September 19 at 9:09 a.m.
I will never watch KREM News again. They treat thier employees like walmart does! 19 years in our no rights state is a long job…. she deserves retirement pay! Good luck Nadine I hope you find something Great With a company that cares!