End of an Era for WGME’s Operating Technicians

October 2025 marked the end of an era at WGME-TV (CBS 13) in Portland as the station’s long-time Operating Technicians saw their master control operations transferred from local control to a regional Media Operations Center (MOC).

For decades, these skilled technicians have been the heartbeat of the station, ensuring that every broadcast ran smoothly and every signal made it to air without interruption.

Operating Technicians have always been behind the scenes, monitoring live feeds, routing signals, switching programming, and keeping the station on the air through storms, breaking news, and major transitions in technology. 

As part of the transition, five members received enhanced severance packages, some providing up to 52 weeks of pay, while two members will remain on staff at WGME to continue performing certain duties at the station.

The “hubbing” of master control is part of a broader consolidation effort across Sinclair-owned stations nationwide, including at WJAR in Providence, Rhode Island, which is represented by IBEW Local 1228. 

While the technology may change, the human skill and dedication that kept these stations running for decades deserve recognition and respect.

“It’s incredibly sad to see this work leave Portland,” said Kaitlyn Hegarty, IBEW Local 1837 Business Representative. “I worked side by side with these Operating Technicians for more than a decade and saw first-hand the level of skill and care that went into that department. Master control was never an easy job. It required patience, problem-solving, and calm under pressure, especially when things went wrong behind the scenes and viewers never knew.”

“Many of these highly skilled and dedicated workers have given well more than half of their lives to the company,” said WGME Chief Steward Jack Amrock. “They showed up to work and pulled many long hours to keep the station on the air during some of the worst weather Maine has to offer, yet the company chose to hub out their work to other parts of the company strictly to save a few bucks. The loss of local control is now being felt on a nightly basis with the numerous mistakes popping up during local broadcasts. Maine’s television viewers are getting an inferior product because of corporate greed.”

IBEW Local 1837 thanks our Operating Technicians for their years of service and passion for the craft of local television.