Saturday, April 04, 2009
Saturday | April 4 | Your News & Comments
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56 comments:
Jim says: "Proceed with caution; this is a free-for-all comment zone. I try to correct or clarify incorrect information. But I can't catch everything. Please keep your posts focused on Gannett and media-related subjects. Note that I occasionally review comments in advance, to reject inappropriate ones. And I ignore hostile posters, and recommend you do, too."
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I'm first!
ReplyDeleteAnybody house swapping on their furlough?
ReplyDeleteIt's now April 4th. Has anyone gotten their Cobra Subsidy letter from Hewitt? I have to believe that we have quite a few ex-employees that qualify?! And I find it hard to believe that with the dwindling time left, not ONE person has been informed yet?
ReplyDeleteRemember, GCI has been given (as with everyone else), until April 15th to notify us. Read the Cobra Subsidy Brochure on your states unemployment website for details.
Don't let them get away with not informing you of your rights! Stay on them if you need this subsidy and are qualified.
Whoever wrote in yesterday about Steve Greenhouse's piece this week in the NYT...thank you. If you are facing workers comp issues, he is dead on, you NEED to read this article. You can find it in the NYT archives for 3/31, 4/1, 4/2.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazingly scary, but it's also very informative. I'm in my 5th year of a WC case that has dragged me and my family into the ground. I don't know who is at fault...GCI, the insurance company or the lawyers. Most likely, all of the above. This is need-to-know information if you are stuck in this situation. Good luck.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteOn the something positive front, The Des Moines Register's coverage of the landmark state Supreme Court ruling upholding the rights of gay and lesbian people to marry was excellent. Early stories included:
ReplyDeleteUnanimous ruling: Iowa marriage no longer limited to one man, one woman
Culver says he'll review the ruling
People at Des Moines' gay bars say cheers
Gay marriage opponents push for action from lawmakers
Hundreds rally to celebrate Supreme Court decision
Wish I could have been there. Iowa is a truly fair-minded state. On the paper's online survey, citizens are splitting 50-50 on the ruling.
This is a shout all to all the Moon and USA TODAY bashers from 4/3 and beyond:
ReplyDeleteAre You A Dumbass?
If you think Craig Moon invented the USA TODAY hotel program, “you might be a dumbass.”
If you think Moon was bad for USA TODAY, “you might be a dumbass.”
If you think USA TODAY was bad for Gannett, “you might be a dumbass.”
If you think the typical local newspaper has better circulation and/or ad revenues than USA TODAY, “you might be a dumbass.”
If you think local papers shouldn’t use USA TODAY national news over AP and other wire stories, “you might be a dumbass.”
If you think Moon's departure is a good thing, “you might be a dumbass.”
If you think Neuharth caused the Detroit newspaper’s problems, “you might be a dumbass.”
If you think Moon is anything like Watson, “you might be a dumbass.”
If you left a company and didn’t dump your 1.1 million shares, “you might be a dumbass.”
If you blame anything but the economy for most of the current newspaper business woes, “you might be a dumbass.”
If you don’t recognize that USA TODAY is still the largest paper in the country, “you might be a dumbass.”
If you don’t realize that Tom Curley piloted USA TODAY through most of its success, “you might be a dumbass.”
If you don’t know that Vega invented the hotel Blue Chip program, “you might be a dumbass.”
If you think the hotel program wasn’t developed and implemented by Vega, Steve Johnson and Carolyn Vesper in 1982, “you might be a dumbass.”
If you think Moon had anything to do with the increase or decrease in the number of USA TODAY racks on the street, “you might be a dumbass.”
If you don’t think USA TODAY was innovative and found and developed all sorts of new ways to sell newspapers, like the college program, gourmet food establishments and other non-traditional outlets, that most local newspaper fought, just to name a few, “you might be a dumbass.”
If you don’t understand that USA TODAY elevated the retail sale of newspapers into a category through innovative displays, marketing and national cooperation, and not just a bunch of papers fighting each other for space, “you might be a dumbass.”
If you think it is Moon’s fault that the automotive business collapsed in Detroit and took millions upon millions of ad dollars with the collapse from both the Detroit newspapers AND USA TODAY, “you might be a dumbass.”
If you are no longer with Gannett but still waste time on this blog, “you might be a dumbass.”
If you didn’t understand two or more of these of these statements or qualified for dumbass status on at least two, you are definitely a DUMBASS!
I could continue for a long, long time - but I'm not getting paid for this. As Samuel Jackson said in Jackie Brown, "My ass may be dumb but I'm not a dumb ass."
I got a letter from Hewitt about my dividend and I would be receiving a check in 2-3 bussiness days..well the check is still not here and that was over 1 week ago..anyone else have this problem?
ReplyDeleteWhoever is posting that Moon dumped 1.1 million shares of GCI, take a second look at the SEC statement. It is 1116.5412 stocks that he sold on 3/31, or something worth under $3000 at current prices.
ReplyDeleteCame across this quite accidentally but what the heck. Let's nominate it for a tony
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kvEgeC-nAk
This previous post deserves to be brought to the light again since it last came towards the end of a thread. It's early and the weekend so I'd love to see the whiners chew on this one for a while.
ReplyDeleteJimbo - Don't get so self righteous here.
You became our dude when when you assumed the mantle of chief eviscerator in charge.
You do stir the pot. I don't think reporting on layoffs is doing so but there have been numerous other times when you made a poor judgment call, a mistake or just have chosen to push something because it would get you page views.
Truth is Jimbo while you might think this has some level of journalist integrity your are just a very sad bitter person who can get beyond the seven stages of grief/loss. You're anger shows clearly though your actions and to be very clear it's become and old tired tirade.
Eventually, even the bad news well runs dry. Then what will you do?
4/03/2009 10:09 AM
why does this site sometimes require owner approval and other times it doesn't. Are there key words being monitored?
ReplyDeleteI have experienced leaving a post and never seeing it show up. Is that some sort of censoreship by the blog owner? What about the posts that have been removed by the blog owner - it would be good to know why - in the interests of full disclosure and not hiding behind the curtain.
Methinks there is something untoward afoot here.
To 4/03/2009 11:46 AM from Friday:
ReplyDeleteWhat state are your in?
10:25 ROFL. He's actually got a good idea. THe British tabs thrive on page 3 girls.
ReplyDelete2:43.
ReplyDeleteNo.
Denver Post's Web site is down.
ReplyDeleteHey, 10:25 AM - Jim posted that here a week ago.
ReplyDeleteThat's, like, a year in Internet time.
Jim, you may want this:
ReplyDeletehttp://services.nexodyne.com/email/
"Eventually even the bad news well runs dry."
ReplyDeleteThis is Gannett we're talking about, right? That well is bottomless.
Dear 8:44 a.m.: You are a dumbass if you don't understand that history matters. It's a fact that Al Neuharth negotiated a damaging Detroit JOA agreement with Knight Ridder. That agreement led to the immediate loss of about 200,000 in circ a day by moving the News from an all-day paper to an afternoon home delivery one. The JOA agreement he worked out also led to a paralysis in leadership by giving Knight Ridder--the owner of the officially labeled "failing paper"--veto power over major decisions. It was these two poor decisions that Gannett overturned in 2005--after 16 YEARS of damaging effects--when it bought out Knight Ridder and became the dominant partner in the JOA.
ReplyDeleteOf course the collapse of the auto industry in the past five years played a big role in the troubles the Detroit papers are facing. But the JOA was deeply troubled FROM THE START.
The Denver Post website is working.
ReplyDeleteHave started month four of unemployment after being laid off in December. At my age, and with the industry such as it is, I have come to the realization that I might not ever work again. I find what Gannett did in December to be particularly cruel to the 50somethings out there who have work at newspapers all their lives. Where did Gannett think we were going to go? Wasn't there a better way to handle the layoffs than to get rid of folks who no longer have the time to reinvent themselves or go back to school for 2-4 years, yet we still have to bring in an income? Sure, some have landed on their feet because perhaps they had an advance degree that allowed them to move into teaching or had enough cash in the bank to maybe open their own business. But I think the majority of us 50somethings are struggling. Gannett did a lot of people wrong, as there seemed to be no logic to some of the layoffs, but I believe us pre-retiree types are perhaps in the worst bind of all. It's getting very difficult to see that light at the end of the tunnel. The optimism I had four months ago has just about faded to black. Ninety percent of employers don't even respond to my job inquiries, and the few that do have no intention of giving me a shot. It really feels as though there simply is no place for me to go anymore. It sickens me to have shown the loyalty I did to Gannett and the newspaper industry in general, only to have been kicked out like an old dog when I was in need of some protection and security from the joblessness that is sweeping the country. I honestly don't know how my former boss sleeps at night.
ReplyDeleteThe Bodner memo hoax is indicative of what is wrong with any so-called 'information' on the Internet. anyone can throw any kind of crap on a blog and people will accept it. google bodner AND elmira today and that hoax memo is still there. and will be there forever.
ReplyDeleteCheck out crap like that before you publish, Jim, if you want to keep your credibility. I am sure you checked out press releases when you were a reporter.
Has anyone determinee why the Binghamton web site had so many problems?
ReplyDeleteTo 1:44pm. Wondering how you former boss sleeps at night? Well to become a boss with Gannett you have to not give a damn about anyone but yourself and take direction from the clueless ones above you. My experience is that the majority of the OC members and other so-called management are truly (for the most part) incompetent and don't want anyone below them to get anything up on them because by keeping a thumb on everyone it covers up their lack of competence. In many other cases, there are those "bosses" who hire drones who kiss their asses to cover for them. Theory there is to have people working for you who can distract from you own incompetence. I see it everyday at our place.
ReplyDelete1:44 PM-- I am in the same position as you are, and I could have written your statement word for word! I did not expect Gannett to look afer me or give me any special consideration, but I did believe that many years of excellent work would be rewarded by allowing me to retire at the normal time and with some semblance of a retirement rate I could live on. I have saved copies of all my annual reviews, and there was not one comment or grade which could have justified this blatant age discrimination tactic.
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning of this nightmare, I felt very uneasy when people would write "New Jersey Papers Sucks" on the blog. It seemed immature. Now, I second the feeling each time I read it and must also agree that "New Jersey Management Sucks." BUT we all know that it's not any particular site, it's GANNETT! Craig Dubow has simply shown himself to be an uncaring, incompetent, greedy PIG-- with no more integrity than the leadership at A.I.G.!!!!
Brother, if you would want to vent some more, contact me at HotBoxers123@aol.com!
To 8:44 who said this: If you think local papers shouldn’t use USA TODAY national news over AP and other wire stories, “you might be a dumbass.”
ReplyDeleteAt my site we often compare AP and USA Today stories on the same subject to decide which to run. AP usually always wins out, due to the better writing and the fact that it doesn't take getting to the fifth graf to find out what the crux of the story is. USA Today wastes too much time and space to tell us nothing much.
1:44. Your comments remind me of my situation and sound exactly like the circumstances surrounding my "layoff." I was a USAT casualty. Yup, the paper where people made a lot of sacrifices in exchange for what we all thought was job security. Still don't know exactly why I was chosen for job elimination as I was a fairly versatile employee with what most people would agree was a good, professional work ethic and broad knowledge of the business. Clearly, from what I am now told from insiders, my job has NOT been eliminated. In fact, in some ways it's needed more now than ever. I was eliminated, not the duties of my job, and I am guessing it had something to do with age discrimination and/or petty grudges and insecurities, which should have been detected by someone above before this mistake was made.
ReplyDeleteTrying to move on has been nearly impossible. I am facing the same obstacles as you are and don't see a way out of this predicament at my age. The same lack of response from potential employers haunts me every single day and heightens my anxiety as time passes. Looking at it realistically, it's only going to get worse as this drags on and more and more people are looking for work each week, month and year.
Besides the job-hunting nightmares and difficulties of letting go of what was clearly an injustice (I know I am biased, but this really was just that...an injustice), there has been so much other fallout post-layoff that I would have to start my own blog to explain. One never thinks of all the other things that can collapse after a job loss. Health being one of them, for instance. But let me tell you, it's a horrible thing to experience at this time in one's life, with virtually no support systems and certainly no golden parachutes. Those out of work are treated like they have a contagious disease. Money dries up quickly. And life marches on.
I am certain my former boss sleeps well at night because his bank account is full and his ego won't allow for him to feel he actually made a tragic mistake. I don't think all Gannett managers are evil, but there are some who make horrible decisions based on faulty perceptions. Those who stood by and didn't speak up for me, and just let this happen, also sleep well, but for other reasons. Out of sight out of mind. It's like I never existed. Denial can be a wonderful thing. This whole episode really makes a person take inventory and reassess an entire career. We are all so fragile.
Many people thought I would land on my feet. My former boss use to boast that if you worked at USA Today you can work anywhere. Oh, yeah? Well, it hasn't happened. USA Today has no such clout. The world doesn't really give a crap where I worked. Quite the contrary. It's been a bleak four months and there is no relief on the horizon. The losses are beginning to pile up as are the failed job-searching attempts. Imagined being ignored by hundreds of potential employers. It can wear on a person.
It's pretty lonely out here, especially when I consider that most everyone I've known over the last decade is still working, still putting out a paper. Why I am not there too is mind boggling. I know my job is still needed and I know my skill-set is pretty damn good. But that doesn't make it any easier to accept, particularly when one's life is coming apart at the seams.
Thanks for the words, 1:44, and some of the conversation this has sparked. In some ways it's comforting to know I am not alone. As time passes, I fear we're all going to be prematurely forgotten. Maybe this blog is the only place to remind folks that we're still out here, still struggling to hold on to what little remains.
huge kudos to the iowa city press-citizen for their great coverage of the supreme court decision that enables same sex couples to marry in iowa....begining in 20 days. this ruling was based on iowa's law and mission to provide equal rights to all. very proud day for iowans and the press-citizen handled it quickly with a breaking news alert via email when the decision was handed down mid-morning. those newsroom folks are doing a very good job with less and less. congrats
ReplyDeleteTo 1:34
ReplyDeleteDid you not hear about the strike? Circulation was stable until the strike - then everything changed. Don't blame that on Al, blame it if you want on Vega. The real culpret here was the unions and their lazy attitude.
Don't give me crap about knowing the history when you are the dumbass that is actually clueless.
Several of these posts confirm what I have know a long time - and it is a dirty, filthy little secret -
ReplyDeleteGannett fired mainly 50-something Baby Boomers (not laid off), who WERE their most loyal workers.
AND they are the workers least likely to get another job.
Sadly, I have seen the work ethic of the next group - the so-called "Gen-Xers" and I think management will find they are up a real creek without a paddle if their newsroom rely on THESE people for hard work, dedication and knowledge of great journalism and writing skils.
These workers will call in sick constantly, cry at the drop of a hat or a scornful look; there parents will sit in on their reviews if there are any; they have little knowledge of a good lead or a strong sentence.
In other words, Gannett fired all the good, competent workers, while leacing the lesser paid rookies to take their place.
It isn't their fault, and I'm sure they are happier now that those workaholic overachievers are all gone from the newsroom and they can kick back some....
Unless, of course, the readers actually want something from their newspaper.
Age discrimination? You bet! Will anything be done about it? Nope.
The biggest loser won't be Gannett for losing the real talent, but these workers, whose lives have been forever ruined by being fired.
Dear 1:44 and 3:55 and others in just about the same boat -- it doesn't fix anything, but you are so not alone in your situation. For 3:55, sub AzRep for USAT and the story would otherwise be mine.
ReplyDeleteFreelancing attempts, the black holes of job-application databases, the end of severance, they all erode confidence, making it even tougher to secure the next career step -- as if there is one.
Hey, in Phoenix, a trucking company starts new classes each Wednesday. The question becomes: climb behind the wheel, or dart in front of a trainee's semi?
(no, don't call suicide prevention hot line, it's just a passing thought, not going to happen)
Heh 2:34 It's incompetnet punks like you that drag down our company. If you had any talent you'd move up in this or any other organization. Instead you sit aloen in the dark wondering why you never made anything of your life. Keep dreaming punk.
ReplyDelete3:55....thank you for sharing your emotions and thoughts. Good luck with your search. Just curious what area did you work in and do you think that area of the industry is what is being squeezed? Thanks again for sharing your story.
ReplyDeletesudoku to the rescue!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Moonies!
ReplyDeleteLove your shit.
I became fully disabled in my early 40's. So I can sort of relate to what some of you are saying. And, for the record, it's not something simple like carpal tunnel or a slipped disc. It's chronic, painful and let's just say I'm not going to ever be "cured."
ReplyDeleteYou start to feel so...useless. What are you in this world if you can't earn a paycheck? And who the hell can afford to be on disability at 43? So forget my home (modest), my kids college, my car and any security I may have built up. It's pretty humiliating when your kid has a car and you can't afford one! (My kid works)
I give you all the credit in the world. The rejections must be hard and to be in an industry that's all you've ever known and watch it fade...must be hard.
If it's ANY comfort, I have so may friends experiencing the same stuff. Too old to hire, to young to retire. And they come from all different industries. EVEN the ones where unemployment is low. They are competing with kids who can work for no money. And even if my friends are willing to take low wages, employers still won't touch them because of age/health concerns. (NEVER spoken out loud but you just come to KNOW it)
Find a 50+ job support group. You probably won't find work through it but at least some of my friends are finding people in their boat and they can support each other.
And do your 20 something kids a favor, tell them to ALWAYS have a Plan B. Remember what our parents used to harp on? "Something to fall back on."
If the people who are in charge of "Gannett" would do everyone a favor and commit "Hara-kiri"! I wouldn't have a single problem with the company!!
ReplyDelete7:52, the generation you described is not Gen X. The people you describe are the millennials. Oh man, and I do agree: In general, they suck.
ReplyDelete5:47 -- You're right. Everything is the fault of a union. Anyone who doesn't understand that average folks should work for scraps so that the captains of industry can buy private yachts is just downright stupid.
ReplyDeleteI mean, who gives a shit if the majority of Americans are living comfortably if it means a CEO might have to take a few hundred thousand less? Where are people's priorities? Clearly, the needs of the few outweigh the needs of the many. I mean, that's common sense, right?
And anyone who thinks that corporate leaders should be forced to come up with good ideas so that their business model can make money while paying decent wages ... well he's just a lunatic.
The wealthy are entitled to remain wealthy. Unions make that more difficult, and they also give the pesky peons a sense of empowerment. Down with them all.
Think Gannett discriminates against 50-somethings? I was HEAVILY recuited for a marketing job 6 months ago until I finally agreed to an interview. It's a company we in the business know well. I was blatantly let know I'm too old and the rest of the interview was spent identifying excuses that were non-age-related. But the interviewer openly let me know she was angry that I didn't put my age on my resume! Sue them? Right. They hide behind the headhunter.it needs an open war like civil rights. Gannett isn't perfect but better than what I've seen 'out there.' Perhaps some of us can make a difference regarding this issue? I'm still employed. I'll let you know when that changes. (I get irritated when people do this, but seriously, my word verification is dismiss!)
ReplyDeleteAs a 50+'r let go last August I left the building feeling like I was handed a death sentence. I have been fortunate in finding other employment and feel terrible for those still suffering what I assumed would be my fate. Should anyone take the initative to compile age discrimination statistics I would be more than happy to join that class action
ReplyDeleteThanks Moonies!
ReplyDeleteLove your shit.
4/05/2009 12:02 AM
_____________________
Well, it's like this. If you can't deal with facts you must love shit.
You said it, not me.
I'd like to agree with the earlier post that the majority of cuts have been over 50 types. But being 27, and seeing at my property only younger workers like me being left behind, I have to wonder about the posters objectivity. Layoffs and cuts have hit throughout the age ranks, from my perspective.
ReplyDelete7:52 p.m.
ReplyDeleteYou are the worst type of hypocrite. You think you were laid off due to your age in a show of discrimination, and then you turn around and stereotype the entire generation behind you as lazy and spoiled.
And for the record, Generation X'ers were born between 1964 and 1976, making the youngest of us 33 years old, and the oldest 45. If you are going to paint your bigotry with such strong strokes, at least get your facts straight. I doubt those are the people you were attempting to slander.
http://www.boston.com/ae/media/articles/2009/04/05/union_employees_open_to_concessions_but_demand_management_cuts_as_well/?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed5
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to Sunday? Jim wake up it's 4/5 on the East Coast.
ReplyDeleteAt my site, layoffs hit all age ranges and seniority levels. And I resent the implication that younger people don't work as hard or as well. I'm 23, well educated and work my butt off for my paper. So do all the other 20 to 30 year olds that I work with.
ReplyDeleteTo the 50-somethings out there: I'm not a Gannett-er, nor is hubby, but I am a freelance writer who works for some Gannett pubs, which is why I periodically peruse thru this blog. I just wanted to let you know, for what it's worth (and I know it's just a small comfort, if any), that these types of issues are rampant in many industries. Hubby works in sales/marketing in high tech and he has endured several layoffs over the last 10 years or so (Bush-time mostly, but I digress). We are currently just very grateful for his job/benefits, but his income has dropped significantly year after year, to the point that he now delivers pizzas 3-4 nights a week to try to make up a little bit of what we've lost. He has an MBA and 30+ years of progressive experience in high tech and believe me, neither of us EVER thought we'd be this bad off at this point in our lives - close to retirement age (as if - HA!), one child in college, one nearly in college. So, I guess my point is, try something, ANYTHING, to get some income coming in, get some fresh air, get some exercise, meet people, it's great for your self esteem once you get past the "I can't believe I'm delivering pizza" mentality. He works with several others folks in similar situations - using pizza delivery as a part-time or fill-in job. He actually enjoys it - gets out and about, a little friendly competition amongst drivers on tips, and it brings in cash plus a small hourly wage. Except it is tiring when you're 55+, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
ReplyDeletePizza delivery is among the most hazardous jobs. Please re-consider!
ReplyDeletePizza delivery is not that dangerous.
ReplyDeleteI delivered for a place in Ohio, years ago. I worked there for a about 2 months and was only robbed twice. See?
It's not any more dangerous than working at a retail store, a bank, a Circle K, a gas station, a theater (my sister was a theater ticket seller and was robbed once). The company he works for, Domino's, has strict rules about drivers carrying no more than $20/cash, which is posted everywhere. And it is a fire-able offense to actually carry more than $20. But I respect and appreciate your concern, but at least where we live, there haven't been any incidents that I can recall in years. Would I want my teenage daughter delivering at night? In a word, no. But I don't like her being out after midnight no matter where she is. :)
ReplyDeleteTo 1:44 pm et-al,
ReplyDeleteI have to tell you at my paper, I happened upon (*cough*)The director of HR's "List" for the December layoffs. And on this list was the names of people slated for the axe, and the justification. It made me sick to read it because most all the people on that list were over 50, and their justification was that they were with the company for so long and they had advanced in paygrade to the point where they made too much money. It said that they could easily get a junior person to do the same work for much less money and would see it as an opportunity for advancement. Make no bones about it, at my paper "The List" was created by the head of HR. HR may have had some input from the dept's, but HR made the decisions and wrote the death warrants.
My heart goes out to those that got the axe because they were great people, and sadly, were the only ones that really knew what the hell they were doing.
I am sure all of us who have something to say in this blog site are employees of gannett and surely in position where they see and hear what is goin' on inside. I am just one of this little people who work for this corporation. Since we are all in this ship together when it goes down the deep. Can anyone tell me if it is still worth busting my ash off working to help my paper save itself. Or shall I just swim and save myself and my family?is thier anybody who's going to help save this ship and make it work for us little people and our families....everyone is hiding behind this walls... please come out fight and help save this ship we call gannett....
ReplyDelete10:57 -- Save yourself and your family. If Gannett survives -- and it probably will -- it won't look anything like the company it is today.
ReplyDeleteI suspect the company won't even be in the "newspaper" business in 10 years ... unless it hangs onto USAT and dailies in a few key markets.
If you work for CareerBuilder there may be more hope.
But I can tell you this, busting your ass will make no difference. Do a good job in the 40 hours that you're there and go home. If you're on the layoff list, you're on the layoff list. From what I've seen, it's as simple as that.
I digress..If your on the layoff list your on the layoff list. I have let the bitterness and resentment go. Every dog has it's day. I wish all (well most of them) my fellow ex-coworkers the best of luck.
ReplyDeletep.s (except for this big mouth, kiss butt, fatt ass, prozac poppin,***h) you know who you are...