We often lose copy editors to promotions within the paper. Originating editors and reporters know they must answer to us. We have enough influence to get stories held or killed when they deserve it. Nobody blows off a copy editor, even an intern, and gets away with it. Not as often with reporters, but home phone numbers are available.
Copy editors deal directly with reporters by phone or in person for most questions.
We go to assigning editors for problems involving the lede, major structural deficiencies, fairness, overall thrust. We respect each other, which goes a long, long way. Several copy editors who do not hold titled positions spend all of their shifts slotting. The reward is in exercising a broader influence over the paper's quality, not in money, however. Copy editors have filled in on the design desk in the past, but recent staffing changes have made that less necessary.