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Scores of workers fromMTV Networks walked off the job yesterday afternoon, filling the sidewalk outside the headquarters of its corporate parent,Viacom, to protest recent changes in benefits. The walkout highlighted the concerns of a category of workers who are sometimes called permalancers: permanentfreelancers who work like full-time employees but do not receive the same benefits.
Waving signs that read ''Shame onViacom,'' the workers, most of them in their 20s, demanded thatMTV Networksreverse a plan to reduce health and dental benefits for freelancers beginning Jan. 1. In a statement,MTV Networks noted that its benefits program for full-time employees had also undergone changes, and it emphasized that the plan for freelancers was still highly competitive within the industry. Many freelancers receive no corporate benefits. But some of the protesters asserted that corporations were competing to see which could provide the mostmediocre health care coverage. Matthew Yonda, who works atNickelodeon, held a sign that labeled the network ''Sick-elodeon.'' ''I've worked here every day for three years -- I'm not a freelancer,'' Mr. Yonda said. ''They just call us freelancers in order to bar us from getting the same benefits as employees.''
The changes to the benefits package were announced last Tuesday. Freelancers were told that they would become eligible for benefits after 160 days of work, beginning in January.While that eased previous eligibility rules, which required freelancers to work for 52 weeks before becoming eligible, it would have required all freelancers not yet eligible for benefits to start the waiting period over again on Jan. 1. The 401(k) plan was also removed. On Thursday, acknowledging the complaints,MTV Networksreinstated the 401(k) plan and said freelancers who had worked consistently since March would be eligible.
Fueled by a series of blog posts on the media Web site Gawker -- the first post was headlined ''TheViacom Permalance Slave System'' -- a loosecohort of freelancers created proteststickers and distributed walkoutfliers last week. Caroline O'Hare, a unit manager who has worked forMTV for more than two years, said the new health care plan -- with higherdeductibles and a $2,000 cap on hospital expenses each year -- had provoked outrage. ''They think they can treat us like children that don't have families, mortgages or dreams of retirement,'' she said.
OutsideViacom's headquarters, several workers held posters with the words, ''There's too many of us to ignore.'' It was unclear how many freelancers are on the company's payroll; anMTV Networks spokeswoman said the figure was not known because it rises and falls throughout the year. The company has 5,500 full-time employees, excluding freelancers, around the world.
Two freelancers and one full-time employee, who asked not to be identified for fear ofretribution, estimated that the percentage of freelancers in some departments exceeded 75 percent. Another labor action is expected to take place outsideViacom later this week. Members of the Writers Guild of America, who have been on strike for five weeks, are expected topicket there on Thursday.
[A] Its benefits plan for freelancers is highly competitive in the industry.
[B] Its freelancers cannot receive the same benefits as the full-time employees.
[C] The freelancers who are not eligible for benefits should start the waiting period over again on Jan. 1.
[D] The freelancers are against the new plan which substantially but their benefit
[A] those who have worked for 160 days
[B] those who have worked for 1 year.
[C] those who have worked since March.
[D] those who have worked since Jan. 1.
3.The word "reinstate" (Line 5, Paragraph 3) most probably means_____.
[A] redesign
[B] restore
[C] repair
[D] reset
4. The MTV Networks spokeswoman did not provide the number of freelancers on the payroll mostly probably because_____.
[A] the figure fluctuates throughout the year and it is impossible to calculate the precise number
[B] the company wants to keep it as a secret so as to better stand the protest
[C] the company has no record of the freelancers since there is no such necessity
[D] the company does not want to provide the freelancers with benefits enjoyed by the full-time employee.
5. Towards MTV Networks' change on the benefits plan, the author's attitude can be said to be_____.
[A] affirmative
[B] negative
[C] biased
[D] neutral
