By NADIA PFLAUM
KMBC Channel 9 anchors Maria Antonia and Kelly Eckerman and reporter Peggy Breit filed a lawsuit yesterday afternoon against the local ABC affiliate and its parent company, Hearst-Argyle Stations, alleging that they were discriminated against because of their age and gender.
"The environment at KMBC-TV has transformed over time, from one of cooperation into a hostile environment, permeated with threats, intimidation and disrespect," the lawsuit reads.
Eckerman's complains include being transferred by KMBC General Manager Wayne Godsey to a Tuesday-through-Saturday shift in October 2007, without regard to her weekend schedule of attending "charity events" and her status as a single mom. When it came time for contract renewals, the lawsuit reads, Eckerman, who is 47, was informed that the station was looking "for the future" and told, "They don't see you as the future." After arguing that she brought up the No. 1 ratings on the weekday newscast she had anchored, the station responded, "We can hire two much younger women for what we pay Kelly."
The suit also lays out a description of a lunch date in Brookside at Carmen's Cafe between Godsey and Eckerman in which Eckerman was told, "You know, men can have a nice, long run in this business, and women, if they take care of themselves, can have a decent run, too. You've had a decent run." As for anchor Larry Moore, Godsey allegedly said, "As long as Larry continues to have the energy, Larry can anchor as long as he wants."
Fifty-four-year-old Peggy Breit's complaints center on Channel 9 bypassing her for promotions in favor of women in their 20s after Sherrie Brown became the station's news director. Brown changed Breit's schedule from Monday through Friday to Tuesday through Saturday (a demotion, according to the suit) and replaced her old slots with "much younger" Jana Corrie and 30-year-old Chris Nagus.
Maria Antonia, whose real name is Maria Albisu-Twyman, is 49 years old. The suit states that she was called into a meeting with Godsey "out of the blue" on October 19, 2007, and demoted from anchor to reporter. "You will never anchor at Channel 9 again," Godsey allegedly told Antonia. The suit states that Antonia is also regularly yelled at over her headset on-air and her schedule is changed without warning. Antonia was also passed over for an anchor position when Corrie was promoted on April 11, 2008.
According to the suit, female anchors are "oppressively criticized, targeted and harassed after they reach their 40s." The suit calls out Larry Moore, Len Dawson, Kris Ketz and Jim Flink as examples of older anchors who haven't received the same treatment as they have aged.
The Pitch left messages for Godsey at KMBC and Dennis Egan, lawyer for Eckerman, Antonia and Breit. Updates as they happen.
UPDATE: Trina LeRiche, the attorney for Hearst-Argyle Television Inc., gave The Pitch this statement:
Hearst Argyle Television Inc. denies the allegations made in this lawsuit. The company is and always has been an equal opportunity employer and neither tolerates nor practices discrimination or harassment of any kind. We have no further comments at this time.
LeRiche works for Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP.
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You must be Young you have the attitude Hey thats what you get for being experienced, working hard, sacrificing time with Family How would feel is this happan to you? I bet your employer has a Life Insurance you Policy on you that you don't know about!!!
This station has discriminated against women for years. After they reach a certain point the station puts them on the outside to report wrecks, bad weather etc. (grunt work) This ha been happening since the late 50's I have watched so many ladies come and go it is almost a sin. The youngsters they have hired this this time have NO idea on professional dress and I guess since Jones store closed on Metcalf the station does not send them to purchase professional wear as they did in the 90's when I worked there. This station is so corrupt the Feds need to come in and straighten them out.
I also, have switched the channel due to the disgraceful treatment aimed at the women from Channel 9. Speaking as a 40 plus woman, I do not need a 20 year old to deliver the news. Who has given Godsey the right to decide when women are too old to talk on TV. Please quit boring us with your commentary! As a female viewer why dont you concern yourself with the aging men on your station! Channel 4 thanks you for your poor judgement!
I don't watch the news Channel 9 news much -- I have a hearing problem and wear aids so I read the closed caption. I much prefer the men as their voices are lower and usually slower.
I was glad to see the channel with the weather 24 hrs per day but it really makes me mad. Those girls on there are terrible -they talk entirely too fast. They need a pointer as I not only can't understand them but can't see the map as they are running around in front of it. CRAZY! No closed caption for weather but you could have instead of that news that runs across the screen. When the weather is bad, it is really terrible. I get Katie Horner (some women can talk so they can be understood) on Channel 5; however, channel 5 isn't always on with the weather. I know many Senior Citizens that agree with me on this. Somebody wants to hire sexy girls instead of someone that give the weather so it can be understood. I am fine with the men and can understand them when they are on.
Something no one here wants to admit is a basic curse of growing older. I have heard women admit it in conversation and even in a couple of movies. Men get better looking as they grow older, up to a point. Women for the most part, do not. That's a hard truth to deal with. But it is the truth. What is happening to these women sucks. But it is what it is.
I was shocked that KMBC is so worried about age yet have a bunch of old fat men on the air every night. Larry moore and that fake laugh of his, Brian Busby never gets the weather right and old and fat,and Len dawson still thinking he's hot cause he won a Superbowl back in the dark ages before most of us were born.And the general manager needs to get a mirror!
I don't know who the person is that says this company is on the up & up and don't play the games they are being accused of with these ladies.It is so plain to see these ladies are being railroaded.It goes on all the time.I HOPE the girls win BIG.I'm totally behind them for standing up for their rights.The people that don't see this are probably in their 20's and not to educated on the ways of the world yet.They will age...lol
Linda
I don't know if these women were targeted, but this is what I observe. Channel 5 and 4 have a lot of "plain (even possibly 'ugly')" and "older" female reporters and anchors - A LOT. Channel 9 only has a couple "token" ones, whom I won't name.
Channels 5 and 4 have A LOT of females who look older, even if they aren't. Channel 9, only one that looks older, and is also one of the couple of plain "tokens." Maybe it is show business, but only for as long as we allow it to be!
Channels 4 and 5 are doing just fine without the entourage of young hotties. Maybe it is time to replace Larry Moore.. he looks too old to me. Bryan Busby.. yep, definitely not pretty to look at anymore.
I would enjoy watching Channel 9 more frequently if a HOT YOUNG man was sitting in Larry Moore's seat. Why don't they do that? Because they know most women (apparently unlike men) don't use this as the reason for their chosen news sources.
However, there was one female poster here who indicated she prefers looking at prettier women than Katie Horner and with sexier voices than Maria Antonia's, but did not mention any old, plain or coarse-voiced men she didn't like. Obviously, even women will scorn their aging/plain sisters, while (at least) tolerating their male counterparts.
It's just buisness, nothing personal, just because the station can get cheaper help doesn't mean they did it for any other reason than competition.
I think it is abomnible that in this day and age women can be discriminated against because of their age. Wasn't it channel 9 that fired the lady, I believe her name was Christine, years ago. It was just after I had commented to my daughter how nice she looked. As long as they keep their self presentable for television and can still speak they should be left alone. I believe Wayne Godsey should be fired or sent to classes to learn how to deal with and treat women.
Who wants to watch these ladies when someome like a Jana Corrie is present? What a pathetic money-grab...Pleasssse-lol
I have viewed KMBC Channel 9 for years now because of the professionalism which is derived by the reporters as a whole. The three ladies mentioned exact what is expected of them as reporters. I don't know anyone who cannot recall when they started and the various stories which they made real because they all have what it takes to be excellent reporters. It is unfortunate when management personnel take positions to which they feel justifies their own value and value themselves moreso than what got them there in the first place. It is unfortunate when they take themselves so egregiously serious that they make themselves the butt of their own demise...it is what I predict in the long run. I maintain that allowing these three ladies to report to their own ability will keep serious viewers like myself to change their respective channels to serious reporting which is what I pass for. KMBC, get serious to what you helped establish long ago in the Kansas City Market. An avid viewer.
Oh My Gosh I thought we have gotten past all of this. These Ladies are so Awesome and have integrity! You could not of Ask for any finer people in this Business. I love Channel 9 I have been a loyal Viewer to them for many years!!! Why you would do this to these fine Ladies is just beyond me. That is what makes them #1 in the news Business. Drama is for teenagers and for the Soaps and for you to create the drama for these fine ladies is just so WRONG!!!! Mgnment Grow up and Let these Fine Ladies do there Job. Which is maken Channel 9 the #1 news for Kansas City not just the guys the whole team and lets get back to coving the news instead of your anchors and reports be the news!!!Not COOL CHANNEL 9 !!!!!!
to the moron that said "Missouri is an at will employment state"
it's true, it is. but not applicable
in this case. these 3 women have contracts.
it's not the paper hat and name tag job
you're showing up to each day.
before you contribute (nothing)
ask someone first if you're being stupid, again.
i stopped watching 15 to 20 yrs. ago when Maria left the morning and started working on weekend. i could tell the weather reporter she worked with was mean spirited toward her. that is still the reason why i don't watch channel 9 in mornings because he is still reporting the weather. i watch channel 9 at 10pm and sometime at 6pm.
Didn't we go through this same lawsuit in the 1980's with Christina Craft? Wasn't the almost exact same argument used to demote an excellent experienced reporter? KMBC likes to give men long contracts and cycles young women through with the seasons. I've been a 9 watcher for year, until now. I know my viewing habits will not effect the choices of management, but if many make the choice to change channels we have an opportunity to impact the discussion.
All of the women are professional journalists, if they go I'll leave. Over the years I've enjoyed their reports and professionalism.
If anyone feels like it go to the KMBC comment page (below) and make a statement to the general manager. I do not think any type of damage control will work with 3 of the best, and very well known faces from channel 9 suing them. Antonia has been there since I was 16, the only thing that has changed is her age, and I think most of us know how MOST businesses work.
http://www.kmbc.com/contactus/...
New reporters - old reporters. The ones who can pronouce the names of local towns and people rank highly in my choice of channels. Channel 9 has slipped considerably in the last 2-3 years - and it is not because of the 3 ladies mentioned. Larry Moore has worn out his welcome in my house - talk about age! And don't even discuss his fake smiles and laughs when just a pleasant look would be fine.
Finding a station in the kansas city area that can report both the city and surrounding area news accurately is getting harder and harder. Guess what people! The Sprint Center and downtown Kansas City are not news to someone like me who lives 50 miles from the center of the city. But if you do report news about my neighbors, at least do it accurately and get names of people and places right! Like Kelly did with Cameron.
In response to:
AnonyMouse says:
Remember, folks. Missouri's an At Will
employment state.
At Will Employment does not justify discrimination.
This is horrible. Inspite of the lawsuit, the Department of Labor should get involved and audit their hiring/firing and promoting practices/procedures. This is just horrible. The station and owners should $pay$$ for their mistakes.
I am ashamed of channel 9 attitude towards women over 40. To allow men over 50 to continue to have lead positions when their appearance at minimum is mediocre while demoting women 40 and older is outrageous. I look at channel 9 every night and if these women leave or are not re-instated when channel 9 is found guilty of discrimination, I leave.
Len D. coughs too much and the anchors help him out numerous times, while a woman gets yelled at. Go figure.
Larry M. is professional but shows obvious signs of aging and doesn't attract the younger to middle age adult audience.
I agree witht the comments from another person on here. Contact the general manager and complain to him about this treatment. I also would hope that he would be dismissed from his easy job for allowing this type of work environment.Actually he is probably the one behind it. If anyone should go from KMBC-9, it is time for Larry Moore to retire.
I did some research, and just so everyone knows, other reporters, including Brian Busby, Kris Ketz and Lara Moritz all had shift changes as well. This is the television business, and I'm sure these ladies filing the lawsuit were once the young reporters replacing older ones themselves. Choices are made based on focus groups and ratings. Basically, the PUBLIC has a huge part in these decisions. Kelly Eckerman was the only one who had consistently good ratings. Maria Antonia's weren't wonderful, and Peggy Breit is lucky she kept a job at all.
A lot of people sound like they can't think critically (Nancy and TarinB) in realizing there is probably a lot more behind the scenes than one person calling the shots.
If people really believe in woman's rights I think they should really take a look at the lawsuit and some of the complaints. It makes the rest of us look bad! In the same breath Kelly complains that she was told that her family was a "distraction," she complains that her role of a single mom was not taken in account when her shift was changed. She's claiming discrimination at the same time she is wanting special treatment. These woman are an embarrassment!
I can hardly believe this is still going on?? What year is this??
This is just sad! I watched channel 9 because they did not do this like the local cbs affliate did a couple of years ago.. at least they let-go/demoted men and women..
I will not love Channel 9 news (except for weekend mornings). I agree Kelly has done an excellent job in covering the Cameron stories. They have been objective.
Peggy - Is a great reporter she is not the most attractive person in the world, but one thing she seems to have is integrity in her reporting.
Maria- I know she went through a personal tragedy and a huge loss. She is also a good reporter, I do honestly have a little annoyance with her voice, but it is something that I have to deal with.
Good Luck Ladies!
Here ye, Here ye, Reports on Channel 9 KMBC... "PIG" NEWS STORY JUST IN!!!!
Godsey Is a "Pig", looks like a "Pig", and yes, he smells like a "PIG". I can't stand when his fat mouth starts spouting off in his edititorials, I turn the channel anytime I see him. As for the BEAUTIFUL anchor women and reporters, I have been a loyal watcher of channel 9 and I really was shocked to find out about these ladies being "fired" for their age. I am now done with this channel.
Most recently, the Cameron story Kelly did was the best reporting I have ever seen. And guess how she got that story, hummm, a loyal watcher personally requested her, and it is now getting National coverage. Godsey you really are a pethetic "PIG" and thanks to you, I am positive your station will have many adds and supporters pull away from you. Then you can waller in your misery and wonder how you are going to keep up the new building the station has built, oh, and buy the way, because of Kelly, Peggy, and Maria and many others, they are the reason this station WAS successful, we loved watching them do a wonderful job. Goodbye forever "PIG" News.
This is a joke... I like these people but its not about sex or age its about - MONEY -
Channel 9 isn't going to close up shop for stepping on a few toes. The owner might not have handle these women who filed in the right mannor but if my company wasn't making a profit i'd try to figure out why and how to fix or correct the problem and if he believes that what he's doing is in the best interest of the station then no laws have been broken and this lawsuit is nothing but a waist of time and money. Besides there no such thing as bad PR in the media this will just make the channel 9 more of a house hold name.
Kristine sounds like a man and Jen must be making it big in her career by taking care of the men.
These three women on Channel 9 are great women who have worked for Channel 9 for a great number of years. They are professional and know exactly what they are doing. I really hope that Larry Moore, Kris Ketz, Len Dawson are not one of the men that treating them badly. I would be very disappointed in them, because they don't seem the type. I hope they are sticking up for their fellow employee's. I was upset with Channel 9 back with the Chris Craft law suit. That was terrible. I will not watch Channel 9 if this is the way they treat people. Godsey is very unattractive and annoying to listen to so he better watch it, he can be replaced. We should all write letters to Hearst-Argyle asking to have him removed or demoted. If he is married, I am sure his wife if very embarrassed of him.
Kelly Eckerman is a beautiful women and very easy to listen to. Peggy Breit has been an excellent reporter and people want to listen to her. Maria has been OK to, she had a horrible tragedy in her family not too long ago and most people are proud of her for being able to continue her career. Channel 9 will ruin their reputation with KC if this kind to treatment continues.
I agree with Kristine above! Good for Godsey and KMBC for doing their job!
These women and men who report the news are also in a "showbiz" like environment where age, appearance, and yes, sex do play a factor. Executives must look to ratings and focus groups to choose people who deliver news the best and also who the viewers will relate to. Does anyone stop to think that these "younger" reporters are BETTER anchors (and not just because of their age)? I watch Jana Corrie and she is sharp and a BREATH OF FRESH AIR!
It is also disgusting how Eckerman claims sexism in the same breath that she complains her personal life as a single mom was not considered when her shift was changed. It seems she wants people to treat her differently because she's a woman when it suits her interest.
As for all the people crying out with in disgust, lets take it for what it is- three bitter women wanting to make some money on their way out the door.
This is a business and like every business, people (men and women) will have to eventually be replaced by younger and BETTER versions.
i watch channel 9 because i can't stand the other stations. who wants to watch katie horner? same thing here. i LIKE channel 9 and most of its newscasters. the only time i change the channel is when Maria Antonia comes on because i can't stand her voice.
She's a terrible reporter and her voice is distracting. if these feminists want to be treated fairly then Kelly Eckerman shouldn't be whining about not getting special treatment since she's a single mom. this is a demanding job. if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. or someone will kick you out! Good for Godsey for trying to make his channel more pleasurable to watch.
The station knows better...Do they have any sory of human resource training...
Second..The ladies are fantastic! They do a great job and it is a shame that employee such a "pig" in management!
I have a attarctive 48 year old wife and six daugthers...I do not feel that there is no room in this country for a sexiest compnay!
I manage a very large company and I will assure you we will pull our advertsising dollars off this station!
C2k
I have watch the news on KMBC since coming to America 20 yrs ago and now am changing News station because of this.Sham on KMBC.
I just sent an e-mail to Mr. Godsey via the Contact Us link on the KMBC website - I suggest others do the same. Personally I would much rather hear the news from a mature, experienced female reporter than from some 'young thing' with little or no experience. I have enjoyed watching all three of these women over the years. If they are not dealt with fairly and equitably, I will take my viewership elsewhere. While these allegations must be proved in a court of law, I believe the 'walks like a duck-quacks like a duck' post above. Shame on you KMBC - shame on you Mr. Godsey, and shame on you Ms. Brown for your treatment of these three talented, hard-working women.
These ladies of channel 9 are fabulous! Kansas City is behind them and shame on channel 9 for being in this situation AGAIN in 2008! I'll also change the channel if channel 9 doesn't settle to the satisfaction of these dedicated, classy and capable women. In our house, we dive for the remote to change the channel whenever Godsey starts one of his editorials! He is not easy to look at, and he's even harder to listen to. His views often seem narrow-minded and insensitive. Perhaps he takes his name too literally. Lynn
hi my name is kelvin all of the ladys on ch9 is good ilike all of the ladys that do the news on ch9 you all are good i hope ch9 news can be good to all of us in kcmo tyvm have a good day bye god love us all
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