AP staffers shun self-improvement, push for "fair contract"

[Decadent]

But the quality of AP service flat-out sucks.

AP has its problems but, trust me, it's still the best there is at what it does for a lot of people in a lot of places. Our shop dumped AP photos in a cost-cutting move last year, and there isn't a day I don't curse the higher-up who made the decision.

Having AP photos is better than not having them. But the delivery system for that has been clunky for a long time. I don't understand why they can't recommend the best stuff MORE OFTEN (capping that to head off the inevitable citing of one time as counterproof), rather than just dumping a whole pile of stuff in at the same time. Also, as more papers shun editing, it's a giant pain in the ass to decipher and translate all the language issues that come with the photos.

 

[Alma]

These disputes always tear me in two directions. Somehow the APers find a way to unite and push for pay and benefits. It'd be refreshing to see that in other sectors of this industry.

But the quality of AP service flat-out sucks. Why should people get paid more to provide shirtty service? The cost will certainly be passed along to clients at some point.

The more a man gets paid, the better quality of work he tends to turn out.

Then their quality of work should have improved decades ago.

Why? I'm pretty confident that pay increases haven't been danced over the years with COLA. Maybe.

Know why ESPN does so much great journalism? Because the people are paid well. Now, if cable subscribers had the chance to opt out of paying for ESPN, thus forcing ESPN not to use a Disney bundle scheme to siphon money from American people...

ESPN is a sewage factory. I wouldn't have said that back in -- wait, can't go there yet.

ESPN does a lot of good work, actually. It also produces sewage.

 

[Starman]

The quality level of AP's output is the result of management decisions.

It's not always up to the level which **I** would like, but at the same time, staffing has been cut and cut and cut and cut over recent years.

Payroll expenses are irrelevant to customer prices.

Aren't you the same guy who recently told a story of purposely doing a poor job on an assignment?

The result of management decisions.

 

[beanpole]

These disputes always tear me in two directions. Somehow the APers find a way to unite and push for pay and benefits. It'd be refreshing to see that in other sectors of this industry.

But the quality of AP service flat-out sucks. Why should people get paid more to provide shirtty service? The cost will certainly be passed along to clients at some point.

This is probably the stupidest thing I've read here. Jesus.

AP service sucks because AP management butchered its staffing levels. States that used to have 3-4 technicians now have one shared among several states. States that used to have 6-7 reporters now have 2 or 3 to handle a 24-hour report.

AP staffers are being ordered to produce more copy because they've been told to do the fabled "more with less." They are under tremendous pressure from their bosses because they still have to be the "gold standard" of journalism but their workloads have doubled. Bureaus are gutted, but they still have to provide the same level of service so more newspapers don't drop their contracts.

Do you honestly think that AP reporters haven't suffered along with the rest of the industry. Look around your forking office, assuming you're not one of those so-called mobile reporters working out of your car. Look at all the empty desks. It's the same thing in every forking AP bureau.

If you think that your shop can work just as well with half the staff, then awesome. Sign me up for one of your lectures at Columbia and teach me, master, because you must be a journalism god. But I'll bet that you are sucking wind just like everyone else, including the AP.

AP staffers have a Guild and they have every right to negotiate for a better package. Maybe you should think about unionizing too?

Beanpole
(Disclosure: I'm a former AP staffer who fell victim to the budget knife a few years ago. I have every right to dislike the AP because of my situation; I lost my house because of my layoff and I've still not put my life back together. But I also think that the AP staff I worked with were the best journalists I've ever met. They work their asses off and the ones who are still toiling away deserve a lot better than the shirt they've been given. And you think it's their fault? Jesus.)

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

Dyecadent does not have an office.

 

[YankeeFan]

Dyecadent does not have an office.

LOL

 

[Baron Scicluna]

Dyecadent does not have an office.

LOL

Dyetto