February 9, 2010 in Business, City

Former KREM anchor sues, alleging discrimination

Tom Sowa toms@spokesman.com, (509) 459-5492

Tags: Belo Corp. KREM TV KXLY TV Nadine Woodward

Nadine Woodward, a veteran TV news anchor at KREM, said she was let go by station management over contract terms.
(Full-size photo)

Former TV anchor Nadine Woodward has sued KREM-TV, alleging age and sex discrimination when station management cut her salary and failed to give her a new contract last fall.

The lawsuit says KREM, where Woodward worked for 19 years, targeted the 48-year-old former anchor by proposing a 15 percent salary cut and eliminating other benefits, including a schedule that allowed her an evening meal with her family.

The suit was filed Tuesday in Spokane County Superior Court.

It alleges Woodward’s male counterparts earned more than she and were not treated the same way, though the lawsuit provides no salary figures.

The suit was filed by Lukins & Annis attorney Michael Hines.

After being asked to take a 15 percent pay cut, Woodward tried to negotiate a smaller salary cut. When that failed, KREM in September terminated her contract, effectively firing her, the suit said.

Calls to KREM general manager Jamie Aitken for comment were not returned.

After leaving KREM, Woodward negotiated a deal with Spokane’s KXLY to work as a radio anchor and TV special-assignments reporter. But KREM asserted Woodward’s contract had a six-month non-compete clause that prevented her from working at a competing station until March 2010.

Because of KREM’s legal challenge, Woodward did not take the KXLY jobs, although she said she’ll begin working there in mid-March.

The suit says that job interference by KREM is illegal, based on KREM’s alleged termination of Woodward “without cause.”

Woodward did not list the amount of damages she is seeking from KREM and its parent company, Texas-based Belo Corp. Typically, discrimination suits say the amount will be determined at trial.

In support of her age-discrimination claim, the suit said KREM replaced Woodward with a younger and less experienced anchor, Jane McCarthy, from Seattle.

In addition, McCarthy was also given the “family-friendly” work schedule that Woodward was denied, the suit said.

Woodward co-anchored the 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts at KREM.

38 comments on this story so far. Add yours!

Really on February 09 at 2:40 p.m.
Wow, nice job Krem. Shouldn't the Spokesman also preface these by saying that they are KHQ a competitor of Krem?

Guess we should all watch KXLY huh?

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Sugar Shane on February 09 at 2:49 p.m.
What a joke, I got fired because I wouldnt concede to negotiations, so Im suing you. Good luck fighting the Im a woman and made less
money than a man fight, its a national trend present for decades that is just kind of the norm, get used to it. Oh and KREM is bad for hiring a younger woman? So if they had hired an older woman, you wouldnt have sued? Hate to break it to ya so late in the game, but thats the nature of the biz honey. Old women dont garner ratings unless they are Barbara Walters or Oprah. Boo frickity Hoo, I dont get time to spend with my family because I work, I smell another reality check here. The judge has an easy trial to throw out on this one, better get in the unemployment line with Thoma.

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Zelda Krup on February 09 at 2:55 p.m.
I'm sure Belo has been through this drill many a time. I synpathize with Nadine Woodward, but people with that much length of service are walking around with layoff target on their back because of how much they are paid. While most of us like to think that years of experience are valuable, employers look at experience simply as an expense they can no longer afford. The new anchor is considerably younger and probably works for half as much. Age discrimination claims are notoriously hard to win because all a business has to prove is that they were under financial pressure to cut costs and preserve margin.

Plus, Ms. Woodward was in fact offered a job, just not the schedule she wanted. Believe me, “family friendly” is not even on the radar of most large companies nowadays. Maybe her secondary objective is to make KREM look like hypocrites, but most of us realize that all the family banter and bonhomie we see behind the anchor desk is rehearsed and phony.

I wish her luck. Maybe she can get a decent settlement out of court.

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codym on February 09 at 3:18 p.m.
Really Says: “Wow, nice job Krem. Shouldn't the Spokesman also preface these by saying that they are KHQ a competitor of Krem?

Guess we should all watch KXLY huh?”

Actually, while KHQ and The Spokesman are owned by Cowles Publishing, there is little interaction/news sharing between the two companies.

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pat forster on February 09 at 4:13 p.m.
If she was a state or city worker she would get millions.. the private sector always get screwed..warning to gov workers, you have the very best benefits, jobs for life etc, far better than any private worker has ever had.

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justhefacts on February 09 at 4:15 p.m.
Here's the problem KREM made as I see it. And it's considerable. Sure, they have to cut costs. Who doesn't these days?

But you only require a pay cut of your veteran FEMALE anchor… and not her male counterparts? And… you ask her to take a cut far more than any management at the station? You take away all flexibility from her schedule and give it to her younger, less experienced replacement?

Come on people… that's WRONG! If you need to cut costs, you'd better be a lot more fair about it than that.

And, yes, I'm sure KREM has been through this drill, too. That's why this will get settled out of court.

Hope you get what you want Nadine!!!

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citizen on February 09 at 4:35 p.m.
I don't tune into a station because they may have the best looking broadcaster. I watch and listen to a pleasant person whom I feel I can trust Nadine Woodward was one of those. I have never watched KREM since she was fired, in fact I never watch any of the local news anymore as they are so slanted in the coverage. FOX national news is my major and once in a while CNN as they are starting to get the message listeners want fair and balanced news , not a pro Obama progressive democratic campaign programing. Citizen

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womenunite on February 09 at 4:43 p.m.
Wow Sugar Shane… you are a complete an utter moron! Women are supposed to accept being treatly differently and unfairly compared to men because “that's the way it's been for decades”? Welcome to the new millinium… bucko!

I applaude Ms. Woodward for going after KREM for the terrible hand management dealt her. By sending a message to corporate America that you don't force women of her age out by demanding more of her than the men in the office… she's actually helping other women down the road… including her younger replacement, Imagine that!

Oh… and older women don't attract ratings? I was under the impression KREM garnered high ratings the enitre time Ms. Woodward was there. She was the Oprah of Spokane!

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bumblebeetuna on February 09 at 4:44 p.m.
Shane -
The story doesn't give enough facts to know whether the judge “will have an easy time throwing this case out.” If Nadine can show that Krem's contract negotiations were carried out in bad faith, then she has a chance.
Also, I doubt Krem will use your strategy of walking into the courtroom and telling the judge that they get rid of older women, and hire younger women because “that's how the biz is.”

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Zelda Krup on February 09 at 4:59 p.m.
There may be some key facts we don't know, such as Nadine's total compensation. Salary is but one aspect of compensation so maybe she had stock options, 401K contributions, profit-sharing, annual bonus and other benefits that brought her in line with her colleagues. Her overall pay package is the issue.

Also, she worked on contract which is different from being a salaried or hourly worker. On-air personalities are paid more like movie stars, not run-of-the-mill employees.

That said, all Belo needs to do is prove there was business necessity to cut costs and maintain profits. This sounds more like a breach of contract case than a discrimination suit.

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womenunite on February 09 at 5:09 p.m.
Actually, if she can prove she was the only woman in her position to be required to take the 15 percent pay cut, and her male counterparts were not, that's discrimination. I suspect they are all contracted employees.

Cutting costs is one thing. But, singling out the older female news anchor on the set gets you into dangerous territory.

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PlanB on February 09 at 5:24 p.m.
Not all of Nadine's counterparts contracts were up for renewing when hers was. We will see what happens when it's Randy and Tom's turn.

Personally I can't understand why KREM let Nadine go. I no longer watch KREM news or visit their website. Seems like a bad business move in order to save a few bucks.

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jazzyvandal on February 09 at 5:48 p.m.
I have not watched much of KREM since Nadine left. Wasn't KREM doing well in the ratings when Nadine was on air? I miss Nadine, she's a great anchor and I hope she ends up on another channel!

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Lewis on February 09 at 6:24 p.m.
That is the way it is in Spokane, experience, loyalty, dedication mean nothing you are only a number in a ledger once that number gets to high your gone.

Good luck Nadine

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Albert on February 09 at 6:24 p.m.
Sugar Shane you need to return to whatever planet you're from. Try some civil behavior - you might find that people may come to respect you.

Nadine is right on and Belo is on the decline. She better hurry before they exit Chapter 7. Like the rest of you good folks, I too have refused to watch ANY of KREM since she was “let go”. Talk about discrimination. Oh by the way, please don't forget that KREM terminated her husband as well, thus we have another unemployed family in Spokane. I do recall reading about this in the SR as well. Therefore we have the Great American Dream of Corporate Belo “Work hard and we will can you when convenient”. Good luck on this one Nadine - you deserve to win.

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Zelda Krup on February 09 at 6:49 p.m.
The lesson here is that if you're a professional, non-union and in your 40s or 50s, when the boss comes to you for a discussion about your “future” with the company, lay your body down and give it up. It's over. Once your realize that, you can start on negotiating a beneficial severance agreement. Rage against the machine isn't going to get you anywhere.

Recent SCOTUS and federal court decisions have made it virtually impossible for people to win age discrimination suits because employers' “business necessity” to make profits and pay bonuses to their top executives trumps everything. The station manager had a proverbial gun to his head. If he didn't do it, Belo executives would have canned him.

Yeah, it's a crappy situation but I don't see any remedy on the horizon that is going to transform CEOs into caring, feeling adults.

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fisher2469 on February 09 at 7:45 p.m.
I have no opinion on this. Thank you….now move alone.

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womenunite on February 09 at 7:56 p.m.
It doesn't matter if the male anchors' contracts were “up”. Those contracts are always in favor of management. So, management can ask for any concessions they want, whether it's a pay freeze or pay cut. Were the male anchors asked to take a pay freeze? Did they agree to it or not? Were they asked to take a pay cut? Was it the same as Ms. Woodward's or less? Those are the questions that will determine if Ms. Woodward has a case. My guess is… they were not asked to take a pay cut… only she was, and and at a much higher rate than anyone else at KREM.

This will not go to trial. It will be settled out of court.

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Sugar Shane on February 09 at 8:17 p.m.
Wow, I only reiterated the rules of society, I didnt write them or say I supported them, Im all for equality. Racial profiling is also wrong but just saying so doesnt make it go away.

And no bumblebeetuna they would not admit that they hired a younger women because thats the way the business works, but unless you live under a rock, you know what I say is true. Try looking up the career life of a male model and a female model.

Albert I dont comment on the SR site for respect, I comment to vent and voice my opinion. Its my opinion and nothing more. People seem to forget that typed text conveys little of the writers tone or inflection, and sets up all kind of room for misunderstanding.

Its my personal opinion that she should have been thankful to have such a high paying job when others have nothing and should have agreed to the new contract, not pulled a Thoma and said I was wrong but Im suing you. Only now is the case that shes a woman, not a drunk. Both of these people were offered concessions, both turned them down, move on and get over it, dont turn it into a legal battle that taxpayers have to pay for.

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Zelda Krup on February 09 at 8:36 p.m.
I wonder if Belo will make the case that long-time, popular male anchors in their 50s have been laid off in Denver, St. Louis, San Francisco and other majors markets as stations try to rein in expenses.

Or will the case be based solely on the situation in Spokane?

Sugar Shane is pointing out the uncomfortable truth — female anchors still are hired mostly for their looks.

KREM wanted to appeal to a younger, female demo while cutting costs. This is the result. Cruel world.

The most the lawsuit will accomplish in changing things is that KREM will write tighter contracts in the future. Besides, chances are Nadine signed an “employee agreement” way back when and that little piece of paper allows management to fire employees at will.

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Gramma on February 09 at 9:23 p.m.
Didn't like their format when she was on there & didn't watch it. Still don't watch it even tho she's gone. Will have to wait to see what the courts say about why she was let go.

But, maybe it has something to do with her actions with a fan a few years ago. While Nadine was Christmas shopping a young girl stopped her at Northtown & asked for her autograph. Nadine told the girl to leave her alone because she wasn't working & just trying to spend time with her family shopping. Quite the attitude to have during the season? Well, those around the young girl that heard her say that was shocked. (I did not know the girl that asked for her autograph.)

I've had no respect for her since. If she's not “on camera” then she didn't have to be friendly? Sorry, but what goes around, comes back 10 fold!

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Shadow on February 09 at 9:54 p.m.
I was with some friends a couple years ago in Applebee's on 29th and waiting in line ahead of us was Nadine and her family. She and I made eye contact and we both smiled. I recognized her but didn't speak with her or ask for her autograph. She seemed nice, but maybe she would've snapped at me if I had spoken to her. But maybe not. I'll never know.

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0U812 on February 09 at 11:20 p.m.
“Gramma's” still moaning and ****** about that supposed time that Nadine Woodward copped an “attitude.” You brought this same story up when she was fired. I say quite moaning about it like that “fan” missed an opportunity to get an autograph from the Pope! She's just a local news anchor. The issue here is her being fired and whether she has a valid suit. Time will tell.

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womenunite on February 09 at 11:39 p.m.
Zelda… BELO can only make a case for what it does “in company”. It doesn't matter what other stations are doing. Her suit is against her employer, not the industry at large. If she can prove she was treated differently from the other males at KREM or within BELO… she has a case.

She was a contracted employee. And, probably could be terminated “at will”. But, if she was terminated “without cause” then KREM had no right to hold her to that 6 month non-compete. Isn't that also what her case is about?

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nwnewswatcher on February 10 at 12:30 a.m.
I agree totally with justthefacts..
That said…I also have to add that Jane's husband was still over here while she was over there she probably had their kids (if they have any) with her so they could start school and get adjusted.While her husband finished up over here..
I am glad to see that Nadine is suing them because I think there is no reason that if she wanted to go home to spend time with her fam for dinner that she wasnt allowed that opprotunity..Especially if she lived close by.Its not like she was leaving them without someone to anchor in case of “Breaking News” I also have to say that..I dont see why KREM couldn't have decided to let her go home after the early newscasts and have Randy solo anchor at 10 and 11..Like he's doing now.
I mean COME ON..

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two bit on February 10 at 7:50 a.m.
her contract came up they dont have to renew or negotiate a new contract and yes they had the 6 month non compete clause they do that in most companys even at secertary level most are even longer she wont get a dime it will cost her to fight this

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Kent Henderson on February 10 at 10:00 a.m.
I hope she wins. No more KREM news on my TV!
Teresa Henderson

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Jpublic on February 10 at 10:39 a.m.
All KREM has to do is point to ratings. If her ratings were low, she doesn't have a case. If the ratings improved with the new anchor there won't be a case.
She is in a ratings driven business, I hope the ratings will be in her favor, but if not she doesn't have a case.

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John Dodgion on February 10 at 12:27 p.m.
I'd say Nadine got a raw deal, likely was discrimination.

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Edwin Johnson on February 10 at 1:42 p.m.
yes, it is a rating driven media, however if krem did in fact cut her salary/benefits, and didn't cut her male peers , unless they presented performance issues to justify, the cut it is discrimination..I find it interesting they cut nadine, who is attractive, and kept randy who is a bit of a dinosaur..

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womenunite on February 10 at 3:23 p.m.
KREM had very high ratings the entire time she was there. I heard Charles Rowe say (when he retired a couple of years ago) that their 5pm newscast was number 1 for 17 years And, she was always #1 or #2 in the Inlander and other magazine polls.

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Tom Sowa on February 10 at 4:43 p.m.
For the record, so that in case you need to know: attorney Mike HInes at Lukins & Annis of Spokane is representing Nadine Woodward.

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misjustice on February 11 at 11:11 a.m.
Oh, Lukins & Annis rocks! Nadine's case is in great hands. I do hope it settles out of court for a large, large amount. And if not, that she prevails at trial. I'd love to sit on that jury! ; )

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tinberry on February 12 at 11:32 a.m.
Good for you Nadine! This is happening all over the country. It is discrimination and unless or until it happens to you personally you just don't get it!

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Judy Champion on February 12 at 2:09 p.m.
We had always watched KREM, and after hearing of Nadine's firing have switched channels. This is the thanks she gets after 19 years of service?? Nothing against the new woman, good luck to ya. Nadine….I hope you get everything you ask for!

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lagrimas on February 12 at 2:34 p.m.
We have watched KREM over the years for the good natured co-hosts. Now they have taken that away. Wonder when Randy and Tom's contracts come up? The new woman is nice but not the same, she should work the morning show.

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Reenie5 on February 13 at 7:15 p.m.
I don't want to get into voicing whether Nadine should or shouldn't sue KREM. I just want to say that I miss watching her on the news. I thought she was first class, and a couple of the other long-time female anchors on the other channels could take a lesson or two from her. Nadine's co-anchor was wonderful in stating how he would miss her and how much respect he had for her. There are not a lot of co-workers that would stick their neck out for someone like he did the night after she left. He too is first class. Best of luck to you Nadine.

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Tom_Paine on February 17 at 4:51 p.m.
Stay on the topic people. This doesn't require our speculation as to whether the court will find in Ms. Woodward's favor; nor do we need to talk about who watches KREM—who doesn't, or who likes/dislikes KREM since the firing. I won't insult your intelligence by repeating the facts of the story.

That said, lets look at the issue at hand (assuming facts in the paper are accurate): Was Ms. Woodward's treatment and eventual firing done with regard for her as a person? Absolutely not. There is no excuse for KREM's treatment of Ms. Woodward.

As stated earlier this is an unfortunate reality today. However, it is a reality that needs to be reversed. I hope that this reversal can begin in a big way with Ms. Woodward vs. KREM/Belo.

And, for “sugar shane”, a Jewish proverb loosely paraphrased: it's better to keep one's mouth shut and to be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt.

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