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1、Scores of workers from MTV 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: perma
2、nent freelancers who work like full-time employees but do not receive the same benefits.Waving signs that read Shame on Viacom, the workers, most of them in their 20s, demanded that MTV Networks reverse a plan to reduce health and dental benefits for freelancers beginning Jan. 1. In a statement, MTV
3、 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 c
4、ompeting to see which could provide the most mediocre health care coverage. Matthew Yonda, who works at Nickelodeon, held a sign that labeled the network Sick-elodeon. Ive worked here every day for three years - Im not a freelancer, Mr. Yonda said. They just call us freelancers in order to bar us fr
5、om 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
6、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 Networks reinstated the 401(k) plan and said freelancers who
7、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 The Viacom Permalance Slave System - a loose cohort of freelancers created protest stickers and distributed walkout fliers last week. Caroline OHare, a
8、unit manager who has worked for MTV for more than two years, said the new health care plan - with higher deductibles and a 2,000 cap on hospital expenses each year - had provoked outrage. They think they can treat us like children that dont have families, mortgages or dreams of retirement, she said.
9、 Outside Viacoms headquarters, several workers held posters with the words, Theres too many of us to ignore. It was unclear how many freelancers are on the companys payroll; an MTV Networks spokeswoman said the figure was not known because it rises and falls throughout the year. The company has 5,50
10、0 full-time employees, excluding freelancers, around the world. Two freelancers and one full-time employee, who asked not to be identified for fear of retribution, estimated that the percentage of freelancers in some departments exceeded 75 percent. Another labor action is expected to take place out
11、side Viacom later this week. Members of the Writers Guild of America, who have been on strike for five weeks, are expected to picket there on Thursday.1Which one of the following statements is NOT true of MTV Networks new benefits plan for freelancers? A Its benefits plan for freelancers is highly c
12、ompetitive 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 benefit2. Accordi
13、ng to the new benefits program of MTV Networks, the following freelancers are eligible for benefits except_ 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 6, Paragraph 3)
14、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 i
15、t 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 authors attitude can be said to be_ A affirmative. B negative. C biased. D neutral.文章剖析：这篇文章介绍了MTV Networks公司修改其对于雇用的自由职员的福利待遇方案的调整以及引起的反响。文章第一段第二段介绍MTV Networks公司的自由职员举行罢工游行的情况；第三段讲述福利方案调整的一些内容；第四段讲述其他的一些抗议形式；第五段第六段是关于MTV Networks公司雇用的自由职员的数量的一些情况。词汇注释：freelancer n. 自由职业者 reverse v. 撤销或取消mediocre ad
