Former CBS 5 on-air personalities Bill Schechner, 66, and John Lobertini, 48, filed a lawsuit today against CBS 5-TV (KPIX) claiming sexism and ageism. "Cheese and crackers, this is nothing but sheer tomfoolery, dagblammit!" exclaimed the two reporters who were laid off in March (along with 12 other KPIX XY chromosome-carrying newsroom employees.)
They also went on to tell the Chronicle that the layoffs were "designed its workforce reduction process to eliminate older employees" and targeted "only male on-air talent."
Schechner and Lobertini want compensation for "loss of earnings and emotional and mental distress."
On the brighter side, Bill and John, look at the estimable Traci Grant as your guide. If you recall, NBC 11 allegedly let her go because of her epilepsy. She sued. And now she's back on air, delivering some of the most entertaining and softest news in town.
Good luck, gentlemen.