Christopher Lydon, host of the cerebral public radio talk show "The Connection," has been placed on a two-week paid leave of absence after feuding with WBUR-FM over sharing in the program's profits.
Lydon and senior producer Mary McGrath, who was also placed on leave, were told to leave the building Thursday.
"We're angered," Lydon said. "Knocked out. Stunned. Shocked. It's a lockout and a shock."
Lydon and McGrath are embroiled in a dispute with station managers over whether they can take an ownership stake in the show, which reaches more than 400,000 listeners weekly nationwide, The Boston Globe reported.
Lydon and McGrath last summer told general manager Jane Christo they wanted half of all new growth of the show's revenue. Christo told the Globe the demand was not feasible for public radio.
A WBUR executive wrote the two a letter Thursday, criticizing them for their "rejection of normal management oversight and established WBUR policies." The letter said "the leave of absence will afford you time to consider whether or not you wish to continue your employment with WBUR."
A WBUR spokeswoman said no other host or producer has a profit-sharing deal. She said Lydon, who had been making $175,000 a year, recently got a raise to $230,000, while McGrath went from $100,000 to $150,000.<
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