Meteorologist Kelly Bates has shared further details about her departure from Rhode Island TV station WJAR-10, amid demands for her to be reinstated.
Bates, who had been with the Providence-based NBC affiliate for 17 years, took to Twitter on Tuesday to announce she was "no longer employed" by WJAR, before discussing her exit in a tearful TikTok video.
The revelation led to an army of viewers expressing their support for the TV personality, and a petition was soon launched for Bates to return to her role.
And Emmy nominee Bates has admitted to The Boston Globe that she was "unable to continue" in her role with the conditions being offered.
She said in a statement: "While I respect the fact that WJAR management leaders are entitled to compensate employees with wages and benefits at their discretion, I found myself unable to continue working at NBC 10 under existing arrangements.
"Leaving this job was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make. I loved my job at NBC 10 and it makes me profoundly sad to leave it after 17 years."
Fletcher Fischer—the business manager for IBEW Local 1228, the union that represents workers at NBC 10—said, per The Boston Globe: "I know people are leaving left and right," adding that the deal offered to Bates was "insulting."
"People at the station love to work there," continued Fischer, whose union represents on-air and off-air workers. "But at some point, people have to be able to pay their bills. And [Bates] wanted to be treated fairly."
Elaborating further, Fischer stated that Bates' hours had been cut back to part-time 10 years ago, with her having the option to take on other people's hours when they took time off. According to Fischer, those opportunities recently petered out, reportedly leaving Bate in a position of financial strain.
The Boston Globe reported that the latest contract offer proved unattractive in the end for Bates, as it included the continuation of reduced hours with fewer opportunities for overtime and a "modest" pay rise.
WJAR general manager Vic Vetters had previously told Go Local that Bates was no longer in the station's employment because she'd turned down a new contract.
"The WJAR team is saddened that meteorologist Kelly Bates is leaving the station after nearly 17 great years together," Vetters said in a statement. "Kelly ultimately decided it was time to move on and elected not to renew her contract with us.
"We thank Kelly for her dedication to WJAR and her commitment to keeping our viewers informed with critical weather updates throughout the years. We wish her nothing but the best in her future endeavors."
So friends. This is it. I wanted to let you know that I am no longer employed by NBC10 Thank you for everything over the nearly 20 years of having the privilege of being a trusted person in the community. It has been one hell of a ride!
— Kelly Bates (@KellyBatesRI) September 7, 2021In announcing her departure from WJAR, Bates wrote on Twitter: "So friends. This is it. I wanted to let you know that I am no longer employed by NBC10 Thank you for everything over the nearly 20 years of having the privilege of being a trusted person in the community. It has been one hell of a ride!"
When a follower asked whether Bates would be heading to another channel, she responded: "As a 49 year old round woman, it's safe to say my television career is done."
Bates' statement prompted another follower to ask if executives at WJAR had said those actual words to Bates, prompting the TV personality to clarify: "Not at all."
As a 49 year old round woman, it's safe to say my television career is done.
— Kelly Bates (@KellyBatesRI) September 7, 2021Not at all. I was answering the question above of me getting a job at another station, and knowing what I do about this business, there is no station who would hire me. It's fact. Sad and wrong, but fact.I have hope for the next generation of ladies in weather.
— Kelly Bates (@KellyBatesRI) September 7, 2021She went on: "I was answering the question above of me getting a job at another station, and knowing what I do about this business, there is no station who would hire me. It's fact. Sad and wrong, but fact. I have hope for the next generation of ladies in weather."
In a TikTok video, which has been viewed almost 1 million times, Bates was seen struggling to hold back her tears as she spoke of her departure from WJAR.
The video can also be seen here.
Since the news broke, a petition entitled "Bring Back Kelly Bates" has been launched by fans, demanding Bates' reinstatement at WJAR. The petition had garnered 8,638 signatures at the time of publication.
Newsweek contacted a representative for WJAR-10 for comment.
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