Thursday, July 09, 2009

Part 4 | Thursday's Layoff News & Comments

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101 comments:

  1. Anonymous7/09/2009 1:54 PM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  2. Anonymous7/09/2009 1:54 PM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  3. Anonymous7/09/2009 1:55 PM

    The doors will close in Cherry Hill no doubt.

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  4. Anonymous7/09/2009 1:56 PM

    The doors to close in cherry hill? We could all move into walts office.

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  5. Anonymous7/09/2009 1:56 PM

    Could people please shut the f*** up about Jim and whether you love or hate him???? If this thread was only dedicated to LAY OFF NEWS it wouldn't have to be broken up as much. Some of us are still worried about our jobs...

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  6. Anonymous7/09/2009 1:57 PM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  7. Anonymous7/09/2009 1:57 PM

    Why does Cherry Hill still need a controller? The expert bean counter is in the front office

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  8. Anonymous7/09/2009 1:58 PM

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  9. Anonymous7/09/2009 1:58 PM

    Cincinnati has laid off an assistant business editor, obits writer, copy editor, head librarian and half-dozen at least in other departments. And it's still early.

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  10. Anonymous7/09/2009 1:59 PM

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  11. Anonymous7/09/2009 1:59 PM

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  12. Anonymous7/09/2009 1:59 PM

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  13. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:00 PM

    About WI..

    WTF? Official Groupwide Announcement?

    Puleeze.

    1:46 was not harsh. Just matter of fact, and stated that it appears little has changed for the Central Group.

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  14. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:00 PM

    1:40, I haven't heard any news on Lansing yet, but I agree that Jodway should go (and I'm in news!). Can't count the number of times people have told me they can't get her to return calls -- even when they're trying to place ads.

    Advertising at the LSJ has been a hot mess as long as I've been at the paper, and that's been awhile.

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  15. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:04 PM

    What will her secretary do now? Maybe get some work done? She might have time now-she won't have to set her lunch/silverware up etc. She spoon-fed her and the AD allowed it

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  16. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:06 PM

    unconfirmed rumors from NJ...

    Courier News layoffs: Mary, Thea, Pam

    Home News Tribune layoffs: Tammy, Flo, Minelva, Pete

    Layoffs still in progress.

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  17. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:08 PM

    2:00 - Agreed. The problem is that there's no one under her qualified enough to take her role. The guy beneath her actually didn't know where the Izzone name came from for the extra papers that were handed out to students at MSU games - and this was after he'd been here at least a year. Could it be Tom Izzo, MSU's head b'ball coach, and potentially the most recognized person in the Lansing area? There's just not much depth anymore - probably intentionally so.

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  18. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:08 PM

    RE: Cincinnati

    Can anyone find out and post about layoffs on 16,17,18 and 20?
    Thanks!

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  19. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:09 PM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  20. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:09 PM

    How many new accounts have been opened lately at stores that will never sell any papers.They only will cost the company money. I suspect alot as everyone is worried about what thier performance looks like.
    Thinking it will save thier job.
    Hope it works.

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  21. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:09 PM

    I can 15 at Indy, so far, counting three from the magazines a couple weeks ago. Still in progress.

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  22. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:10 PM

    Interesting there's been no systematic reporting of cuts from the TV stations --just the one, and only 2 jobs.

    If you start with the idea that these layoffs are meant to replace the furloughs, then you should be looking at around 8.3% in layoffs. But of course, that assumes you cut evenly across pay grades. To the degree they are still preserving management, which gets paid more, then the headcount has to take a bigger hit to get there.

    Tho there are some additional savings from health insurance that they didn't get under the furlough. Otoh, there are additional costs from severance.

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  23. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:10 PM

    news from Wilmington, Del?

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  24. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:10 PM

    Take away the beans and show him the door.

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  25. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:10 PM

    app-neptune-mm,mk,kpb,ss,lc,ja

    tr-sd,ma

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  26. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:11 PM

    Skippy isn't going anywhere. He fits the mold per Gannett. A good soldier.

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  27. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:13 PM

    body count is 11 so far in indy --

    3 exempts (1 WON'T be missed!), and 8 guild-covered: 3 building services people, 1 from online, 3 from fishers buro, 1 longtime paraprofessional.

    hmmmm -- doesn't seem like much of a monetary savings, because only 1 of those 3 exempts was grossly overpaid.

    and i concur with 1:56: corporate trolls, STFU and let us take care of business!

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  28. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:13 PM

    Does anyone know anything more specific out of Nashville?
    - a former co-worker

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  29. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:15 PM

    Who got let go in Louisville?

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  30. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:17 PM

    Any news in Reno
    or has everyone been laid off?

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  31. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:18 PM

    4 from Fishers bureau in INdy, not three.

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  32. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:18 PM

    Tho there are some additional savings from health insurance that they didn't get under the furlough. Otoh, there are additional costs from severance.

    ---------------------

    Doesn't sound like there's much cost for severance anymore. This new SUB-pay setup sounds like total shit.
    I bet during the next round of layoffs the company will request severance payment from those being laid off! Let's see that's $1,000 for the time you spent on Gannettblog when you should've been working, $50 for keeping your car parked on our property in the hour since we laid you have, a $100 charge for that cardboard box we gave you to pack up your belongings, ...

    Better be quiet. That's one revenue-generating idea I'm sure the bums at corporate will sink their sharpened teeth into.

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  33. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:19 PM

    St. Cloud blood shed: 4 people laid off, 2 positions go unfiled. Unknown number of hours cut in one department.



    From: Albrecht, Bill
    Sent: Thursday, July 09, 2009 10:08 AM
    To: StCloud-All


    As you all know from the letter sent out recently by Bob Dickey, we and all other Gannett newspapers needed to make some payroll and expenses cuts to continue the fight against the recession and the reduced advertising spending of our customers. The impact at Times Media is that yesterday and this morning we laid off four people and reduced some staff hours. The layoffs include one designer position in prepress, one proof runner, one packaging supervisor and one private party sales rep. Hours where reduced in the Information Center.



    Each of these employees were laid off as result of the actions we needed to take and not reflection on their performance or efforts. I thank them for their contributions and for helping us over the last very difficult 18 months in particular. Once again, the goal on the cuts is to keep the impact as far away from our readers and advertisers as possible. In some cases new technology will allow us to fill the gap left by the reduction of a position. As in the past, we will have to make sure we identify any issues that arise due to our changes. Through processes and other staffers stepping up we will have to overcome the hurdles to keep our products and services a strong value to customers. Additionally, we will be restructuring in the advertising department to cover two open positions (Administrative Assistant and Online Sales) that will not be filled.



    Moving forward I do have optimism. Ad revenue has picked up in the last two months. The economy is still fragile and based just on two months it is too early to state that we have a positive trend. But there are indications that we are into the rebound. As I shared with the advertising staff, we are moving forward with the attitude, behavior and expectations that we are in the rebound and we will push hard to increase market share during the next six months. In fact, we launched an extremely assertive ad pricing program this week. It is designed to drive business for mid-sized advertisers (the Smart Solutions program was for smaller businesses) generating more sales at our advertisers’ cash register which then generates into more advertising sales.



    Another indicator of good work by our ad staff and a sign that we are at the start of the rebound is that in Saturday’s paper we will have more than 200 home listings for sale. That is more than we have had in a weekend in more than a year. Anecdotally, we have heard that some of the auto dealers are moving some vehicles again. We believe it is because of pent up demand and changes in our Cars.com section.



    It is not my intent to paint a rosy picture in light of staff reductions. I understand the stress and additional demands the reductions have on the entire operation. I share the positives because we can, if we all pull together and act now, we can catch the wave and impact our destiny.



    If you have any questions please let me know.

    BA

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  34. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:23 PM

    I wish my initials were BA

    BAD A@@

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  35. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:26 PM

    It appears that most newspapers are laying off employees except for California group. How did they miss the bullet?

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  36. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:26 PM

    Any word on Asheville?

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  37. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:27 PM

    2:00 I fully agree with you. As a former employee I had to deal with Jodway on a number of issues. As far as I am concerned the AD dept has not been run well since Laura Hollingsworth left.

    The dufus that is Pam's #2 is a piece of sh*&. He could not find his way around the building without a map.

    The problem with adv. still goes back to the Hurst regime. She had so alienated this area, that I am surprised anyone advertises in the LSJ.

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  38. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:27 PM

    USA Today & Corporate remain protected in the palace. Simply incredible!

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  39. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:27 PM

    thanks, jim, for extending the blog's lifespan just a bit, and thanks, sparky, for all you have put up with as gannettblog served gci employees better than gci ever did (unless you were lucky enough to cash out a fat 401(k) while the stock was at $90).

    as for the person who said earlier that news-types don't know how to make the company money, dublow obviously didn't either . . . and he was an ad guy. shouldn't an ad guy have had some ideas for competing w/the net? naw, he and the rest of gci brass were too busy starting up side ventures -- mags, moms like me, etc., while draining lifeblood from the core product to fatten their pensions and pay their country club memberships.

    and as for ali zobi, he was a schmuck in indy and he'll always be a schmuck. hopefully, he'll soon be an unemployed schmuck. payback's a bitch, baby!

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  40. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:31 PM

    more NJ - CN & HNT hearsay ...
    2 from production dept. Danielle & Anthony

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  41. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:36 PM

    will you all please stop the childish name-calling and slamming Jim?

    If there is ever a time for it, it sure as hell isn't now!

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  42. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:37 PM

    Louisville - Manager of Digital Advertising was let go.

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  43. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:37 PM

    Let go today from the ADS dept of the APP/HNT. (Technically a HNT ADS person but pulled in March ’09 to Neptune). I am a 14-year veteran, female, and 48 y.o. These great veterans of this dept were laid off today. They are fine, upstanding, hardworking people and I will miss them. It was a great pleasure to work with them through the years:
    Lisa – copy entry/proofer
    Mike - designer
    Sue - designer
    Jarrett – designer/web designer
    Maria – processor/ all around gal Friday! (On disability no less)
    I will miss you all. Thank you for the privilege and keep in touch. Visit my Face book page.
    Left there are hardworking people. For only they know, who else might have been let go after I left the APP. Good Luck to you. Stay strong and get your resumes in order.
    To my former colleagues /friends at the HNT: I will miss you too. Keep in touch, please. Get your resumes in order. They ship is barely afloat!
    As I said to Jack this morning: Thank You, it’s been a trip!
    Kathy PB

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  44. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:38 PM

    Asbury Park Press (or The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald)...

    Lisa Cherney
    Michael Kasten
    Susan Skidmore
    Kathy Pohopin Beitel
    Maria Masi
    Mary Ann Houston
    Doreen Sullivan
    Sally Drak...(in TR)
    Anthony Battaglia
    Amanda Reimer
    Linda Lenard
    and apparently many people involved with 4074 magazine...
    and what about the newsroom?

    American workers: Unemployed
    India: Still employed because that mother-fuckin' liar Tom Donovan helped pave the way for Gannett to plan the funeral for the once great Asbury Park Press. His "joe-jock" "we are a team" bullshit just dug the hole deeper for the APP. I hope you sleep well Donovan. Your Karma will get you in the afterlife you scum. Yes, YOU. You cannot deflect your contributions to the demise of the Asbury Park Press. How proud and "energetic" are you now? It amazes us how many of your kind exist.

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  45. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:40 PM

    2:27pm, about the GCI Corporate people at Crystal Palace who were protected and untouched: that's due to the major ass kissing.

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  46. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:41 PM

    Six in Lafayette, Louisiana at The Daily Advertiser. Three designers, two sales people, one in circ.

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  47. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:42 PM

    So far 6 in Asheville. More to come.

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  48. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:43 PM

    Whoever suggested that today is Be Kind to a Gannett Employee Day? I like it. It would make great facebook flair. Any creative types out there?

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  49. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:43 PM

    They are only shooting braves no Chiefs today.

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  50. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:43 PM

    Any update on Phoenix? heard the custom publishing took a big hit. How about marketing? LOTS of excess fat there!!

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  51. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:45 PM

    Wish someone would speak up as to what's happening at NNCO (Ohio papers).

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  52. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:45 PM

    The Asbury Park Press newsroom lost at least one staff writer, one entertainment editor, one night desk copy editor and one magazine reporter. Supposedly everyone affected has heard by now.

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  53. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:45 PM

    Wilmington, Del?

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  54. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:46 PM

    They have to remove Beck. Remeber when he "leaked" the name of an online poster to a city official so they could send a threataning letter to the readers house? WOW.

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  55. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:47 PM

    10:28: Bravo.
    Are you a victim? Past or current?
    I still think being laid off in December from this company was the best thing for me even though I have yet to find a job. But your post is brilliant and true. How many of us former employees got sick of seeing current employees' posting status updates or whining about their furloughs through the months. Yea, get over it. You will get paid next week. I won't.

    10:32: I am younger than you, but I still feel your pain. The disappearance of some people I once called friends? Spot on. It has done a number on me in terms of faith in people. But again I go back to it was probably the best thing for me to be rid of that company and some of its people. Please keep your chin up. I will send good thoughts your way.

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  56. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:50 PM

    "as for the person who said earlier that news-types don't know how to make the company money, dublow obviously didn't either . . . and he was an ad guy. shouldn't an ad guy have had some ideas for competing w/the net?"

    --------------

    Exactly. Dubow was an ad man and has accomplished NOTHING in terms of generating revenue. All he has done is cut costs, cut costs, cut costs. There's no creativity at the top. All bean counters only interested in inflating their short terms numbers so they can continue to collect 6 and 7 figure salaries before finally ejecting and landing softly in their gated communities with their golden parachutes.

    Gannett's leadership is 10 years late and $10 billion short. They are just now starting to realize that this is an information company, not just a news company. Dating Web sites, merchandise sales, search engines, etc. all improved the way people could access information. Those sources of revenue have completely dried up because Gannett management couldn't find a way to cash in. The company's stake in careerbuilder is one of the only valuable things it has left. It's kind of a miracle they even have that!

    Imagine if all that money wasted on the disastrous stock buyback program had been invested in starting up ventures that could compete with Amazon, Match.com, Google, etc. Instead it's these lame MomsLikeMe creations and other assorted nickel-and-dime ventures that have great market to begin with and aren't given the resources to compete. Then when they go bust, it's cut, cut, cut. Chop, chop, chop.

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  57. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:51 PM

    They have to remove Beck. Remeber when he "leaked" the name of an online poster to a city official so they could send a threataning letter to the readers house? WOW.

    7/09/2009 2:46 PM

    Is he being moved? Or REmoved?

    Beck should be axed for that, not transferred to pull another stunt like that somewhere else.

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  58. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:51 PM

    2:47 p.m. said ...

    10:28: Bravo.
    Are you a victim? Past or current?

    ___

    I wrote the 10:28 a.m. post and am both a "victim" and a "current."

    I was laid off in December and immediately rehired within Gannett.

    Layoffs are still in progress here, but I'm crossing my fingers I'll be safe.

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  59. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:52 PM

    In Vineland NJ (daytime):

    • Credit clerk
    • Librarian
    • Ad sales rep
    • Sales support person
    • 1 in Circulation
    • 4 in News
    Also:
    • Open position closed
    • Classified Vineland/Hammonton Manager was demoted.

    I can't beleive JC protected his puppies again,man can he BS A NUTT.

    Also earlier rumor of Nuestra cuts,I have no knowldge if this is true which would add to the number I have.

    They must be down to 60 employes or less. Time to sell the building and rent some space.

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  60. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:54 PM

    Let's have a round of applause for 2:50!!!!!!

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  61. Anonymous7/09/2009 2:59 PM

    Is there any end day/time when this round of layoffs had to be completed?

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  62. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:01 PM

    1:40, 2:08 , 2:27... Jodway is the most underhanded and self serving person in that building... if only the editor could see through her'act" there would be so much more done in the adv dept. and for her sidekick.... i do not think i have ever seen a smile come from that face, and if Jodway says hello to you, it is a shock, she is a full on bitch, ANYONE would be better than her.

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  63. Elana7/09/2009 3:03 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  64. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:04 PM

    Hey, 2:27...USA Today has been treated like royalty from the very start. They burned through millions of dollars with lavish parties, trips and other such perks. They took staffers from the other dailies -- staffers that we couldn't afford to lose at the smaller community papers -- and offered nothing in return. They think a lot of themselves and their 5-day paper and, uhhhhhh, web site -- a web site that also burned through cash like there was no limits, adding to the overall debt we're now in.

    They complain when the cafeteria closes early or the gym stops offering certain personal services. They get fed for free if God forbid they have to work a sacred holiday. Yup, catered meals! They will tell you that they need all those people and amenities because of the stresses inflicted by covering the universe and living in the D.C. area. But, c'mon, while there are some hard-working people at USA Today who I respect, would any USATer trade places with any of the people working at the local or metro papers in this chain?

    No surprise that they are just sitting back, eating popcorn (literally on some days) and watching the show. This isn't one company. There is USA Today, and then there is all the rest of us. It has always been this way. It doesn't change on the darkest of days like today or in good times. The scamming that goes on at the flagship legendary and well-known to longtime Gannettoids, yet no one seems to do anything about it. No one seems interested in creating one unified company or improving morale by creating a general sense of fairness.

    Once again we are reminded today that those of us working our butts off at some pretty decent papers are not considered as valuable as those in the Crystal Palace. That's fine. The company can play favorites. But don't try to convince me that it's fair or that it won't eventually have some serious ramifications for the company as a whole, including USA Today.

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  65. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:06 PM

    Arizona Republic layoff victims: Laura McBride, Jennifer Johnson, Dave Lumia, Ralph Zubiate, Heather Wells [copy editor], Jeremie Lederman, Bobby Boos, Theresa Cano, David Proffitt [City Life editor], Jenny Poon Dominguez, Marcia Hammond, Nicki Escudero [amp.az content manager], John Davis, Jerry McElfresh, Mark Watters, Christine Keith, Ed Perkins, Jana Aguirre, Laura Jablonski [online ad director], Heather Wells [copy editor], Jamie Lederman [artist].

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  66. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:11 PM

    The departing AME in Louisville has done more to hurt the paper and the newsroom than anyone else in the past decade. Another of Bennie's terrible, terrible hires.

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  67. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:12 PM

    FROM FORT COLLINS:

    Kim Roegner
    President/Publisher

    TO: All Employees

    DATE: July 9, 2009

    As you know, across Gannett we have been asked to reduce expenses in the last six months.

    Today, I will not be announcing layoffs. Instead, after careful consideration, we will be reducing workweek hours for non-exempt employees effective 7/13/2009. What this means is that our hourly employees will be scheduled for 37.5 hours as opposed to 40 hours in a standard workweek. Hours worked between 37.5 and 40 hours will continue to be paid at standard rate, and hours worked over 40 will continue to be paid at overtime rate.

    For the remainder of this year, vacation and sick time will continue to be accrued and used at the 40 hour per week schedule. Beginning in 2010, that accrual schedule will be updated to reflect the new hours, though total number of days earned in a calendar year will not be impacted.

    This has been and continues to be a challenging time for each of us. I know that this change will personally impact many of you and I truly appreciate your flexibility and cooperation as we move forward.


    Sincerely,

    Kim Roegner

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  68. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:12 PM

    Position update of AZ Republic layoffs: Laura McBride (content editor) , Jennifer Johnson, (new-type editor) Dave Lumia, Ralph Zubiate (copy editor), Heather Wells [copy editor], Jeremie Lederman, Bobby Boos, Theresa Cano, David Proffitt [City Life editor], Jenny Poon Dominguez, Marcia Hammond (copy editor), Nicki Escudero [amp.az content manager], John Davis (photog), Jerry McElfresh (copy editor), Mark Watters, Christine Keith (photog), Ed Perkins, Jana Aguirre, Laura Jablonski [online ad director], Heather Wells [copy editor], Jamie Lederman [artist] Karen Jenkins (copy editor).

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  69. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:13 PM

    Gannett needs to pay attention to something more than the bottom line. There is some bad karma in this company that started last December, wrecking many people's lives and dreams, and continuing today. Are the layoffs necessary? That's debatable in my view. It's an outright sin that the company is allowed to spend like crazy, getting itself into massive debt, and then firing people in order to feed the monster some more.

    Were the people let go in December or this week the most expendable? Absolutely not. I saw names and positions that were lost months ago that made no sense, and see the same trends today. There are some managers making some pretty warped and short-sighted choices and a company allowing them to do so. What is up with these managers? Are they just picking names out of a hat? Did someone not compliment them on their new shoes enough? Do they not care about accuracy and can just thin out the employees who keep errors out of Gannett papers? Does Gannett really think that by getting rid of the gatekeepers that quality is going to improve? You lose quality, you lose business. We're going to be right back in this situation again in the not so distant future as advertisers and readers turn to more credible sources for information.

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  70. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:13 PM

    We are celebrating "Be Nice to a Gannett Employee" Day in our newsroom here in Lansing, so that makes it now an official holiday.

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  71. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:13 PM

    Does anyone have info on USA LIVE shutting down???

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  72. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:15 PM

    20+ lost in wilmington, all sales assistants, a few copy editors, 3 ad designers (2 print, 1 online) a partridge and a pear tree

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  73. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:15 PM

    Layoffs still trickling in at Poughkeepsie (NY). Somewhere around 5 or 6 right now but another hour or two to go before they're definitely done for the day.

    Oh, and this is on top of the fact that the copy desk, design and possibly sports departments are getting obliterated within the next month as we merge operations with the Journal News.

    Poughkeepsie is getting VERY close to becoming a Journal News satellite operation comprised of a handful of reporters, photogs and ad sales people who will be jammed into a strip mall office space somewhere and get their marching orders from out-of-town managers who probably can't even spell Poughkeepsie. That should work out well.

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  74. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:16 PM

    Body count is 8 from from Burlington so far --

    5 in circulation

    3 in news (online, a photog and lead designer).

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  75. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:20 PM

    Well my friends, dumped from the CN/HNT today. No surprise really! It's been absolute hell waiting through each very early threat that layoff were coming. How many times can anyone go through it? But looking at the fucking editors who were kept, I am livid. They cannot write, cannot interact, cannot do anything but cackle, make eubonic remarks and suck up to Skippy!

    Damn! How many others let go today say the previous layoffs and thought "Never happen to me"???

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  76. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:22 PM

    12 TOTAL AT MONTGOMERY (AL) ADVERTISER. Reported the 1st 8 earlier (2 from circ; 1 pressman; 1commercial pressman; 1 front desk clerk, 1 IT tech and 1 from Advertising. We now have 2 from the newsroom, and an additional 2 that I don't have clarification yet which department they were in. Sad day in Montgomery, Alabama. Will report back with those remaining two departments. Hate to see what's going to happen after July 15th. Jim... please stay.

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  77. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:22 PM

    Anything on NNCO - Newspaper Network of Central Ohio?

    Good luck to all those unfortunate people who were laid off today.

    I just don't see how our industry - rather Gannett or not - can continue with such slashings. Papers are becoming a joke now, and the joke will just continue to increase.

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  78. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:24 PM

    Any news from Morristown? Are the consolidation rumors for NJ true?

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  79. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:25 PM

    I am a USA TODAY employee who aches for those being let go at other newspapers. Yes, there is some arrogance here, but not as much as some might think. Many of us hate what is happening to the newspaper business, whether at Gannett properties or elsewhere.

    Terrible to see so many copy editors being fired today. They are the ones who save our asses on a daily basis. They are in thankless jobs and now some are without any job. Maybe the plan for the web sites is to go with raw, unedited copy. Therefore, no need for copy desks.

    What a mean-spirited company this is. But in addition to that, the level of stupidity at the top levels is astonishing. Getting rid of copy editors at a media/newspaper company...what's up with that? I saw an editor let go last year who use to catch so many errors before they reached the newspaper, and performed so many other functions flawlessly, that I was blown away his dismissal.

    I think, in part, losing good people is common because many Gannett managers don't appreciate what some of their best, but most low-key, employees do on a daily basis. Some Gannett managers seem to only notice and appreciate the big mouths who pretend to do a lot of work but in essence do very little other than promote themselves. Out-of-touch managers are a problem at USA TODAY and elsewhere, I assume.

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  80. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:25 PM

    (left one out) 12 TOTAL AT MONTGOMERY (AL) ADVERTISER. Reported the 1st 8 earlier (2 from circ; 1 pressman; 1commercial pressman; 1 mailroom supervisor; 1 front desk clerk, 1 IT tech and 1 from Advertising. We now have 2 from the newsroom, and an additional 2 that I don't have clarification yet which department they were in. Sad day in Montgomery, Alabama. Will report back with those remaining two departments. Hate to see what's going to happen after July 15th. Jim... please stay.

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  81. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:25 PM

    Well you gotta hand it to Fort Collins for taking a more humane approach and at least saving jobs for all its staff.

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  82. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:28 PM

    Montgomery (AL) Advertiser... total cuts were to amount to 27 positions, however, total people laid-off were 12 (supposed to be done now) and the remaining positions were open that will now remain dark... as well as some other monetary cuts.

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  83. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:29 PM

    Wilmington, Del:

    "20+ lost in wilmington, all sales assistants, a few copy editors, 3 ad designers (2 print, 1 online) a partridge and a pear tree"

    How many greater is the expected body count?

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  84. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:29 PM

    First 3:13pm post:

    Let's not forget all the folks who were shown the door PRIOR to 12/08 as well.

    There are plenty of good souls out there that were axed between 12/07 and 8/08.

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  85. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:30 PM

    Kim Roegner from Fort Collins illustrates why suits suck: "This has been and continues to be a challenging time for each of us. I know that this change will personally impact many of you and I truly appreciate your flexibility and cooperation as we move forward." (Knowing people will be impacted: very perceptive. Appreciates flexibility and cooperation: very corporate-speak. As we move forward: which other way can you move, dill hole, sideways?

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  86. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:33 PM

    Wilmington newsroom so far:

    Day desk assistant chief, part-timer (both yesterday)
    Librarian
    Designer
    Three night copy editors
    Webcast anchor
    Deputy city-state editor

    Reporters seemed to be spared

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  87. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:33 PM

    I stopped thinking USA Today was a part of this company a long time ago. It's the only way to stay sane.

    Hang in there Gannettoids! Remember and support those who fall. Many of them will never work in this dying biz again. That's going to be a rough realization for them once they get out into the job market.

    To management: You think this too shall pass. It won't. You've done so much damage that you don't even know how the last year will adversely impact this company for decades to come.

    It's time for Gannett to go away just like it's time to let the other corporate abusers fade. I don't want my taxes to support the AIGs of the world anymore, and I am no longer interested in giving Gannett my best efforts. There is going to be some serious passive-aggression that managers in this company are too naive to notice. But it will rot what remains of this stinkin' empire.

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  88. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:34 PM

    Someone please tell me that Jay Jefferson Cooke got canned. PLEASE.

    ReplyDelete
  89. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:35 PM

    Visalia Times Delta/Tulare Register:

    3 long term fulltimers told they are now part time, saves money on vacation pay.

    more to come...

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  90. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:35 PM

    Still well shy of the anticipated number of layoffs. Think more are coming next week? Are Detroit and USAT really safe?

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  91. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:36 PM

    @ 3:34: That would be a smart decision by Gannett. What makes you think that will happen?

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  92. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:37 PM

    Several people have asked about firings at the NNCO papers in Ohio. These papers were spared in December with NO cuts and they may get a pass again.

    That should outrage Gannett workers in Wisconsin, Indiana and other community papers where there are good papers doing good things and THEY are being cut badly.

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  93. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:39 PM

    Anything happen in Ithaca?

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  94. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:40 PM

    3:37

    Wisconsin being cut badly? One from Wausau and 2 from Fondy is the rumored count, but they are waiting on some "official announcement".

    ReplyDelete
  95. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:41 PM

    Since no one is commenting on the Westchester special edition, I am asking here about the merger with PoJo. Any word? I heard layoffs started in Poughkeepsie. Who was laid off? How many?

    Does the executive editor at the JN ever plan to make a statement to his workers?

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  96. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:41 PM

    Who in Poughkeepsie wa Dubowed?

    ReplyDelete
  97. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:42 PM

    Copy editors/page designers will always be the first on the chopping block because the printed page is going the way of the horse and buggy. The Web is where it's at. Consolidation will get them first, as regional copy desks pop up. A few may survive for online content, but I doubt it. Reporters are now taking their own photos and video most of the time and I'm sure to save a buck they'll let them edit stories as well. Wonder how fast lawsuits will pick up when no one is really watching the store.

    When I worked on copy desk we edited stories and laid out pages. But as our workload increased, we barely had time to slap together the pages. Who had time to edit copy that was supposedly edited once? And I say supposedly, because copy was simply being passed on to us raw, as the editors were also overwhelemed with the workload. Quality and accuracy is also a thing of the past.

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  98. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:43 PM

    Jay Jefferson Cooke will continue and compel the staff writers to adapt to his "style" of egotistical and uneducated writing. His columns are total trash and he knows he's safe because the CN/HNT are struggling to look like The Trentonian, and only Mr. Cookey Wookey Dookey can carry that off!

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  99. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:44 PM

    3:34 pm, what would we do without JJC telling us that burned out hole called West Philly is the best place in the whole world!! We need someone in the newsroom who can squirt cheesesteak grease half way across the room when he yessahs the cackler.

    And, 1:01 am, there was no trail of chicken bones because he went boneless yesterday.

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  100. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:44 PM

    3:37 do you always talk about things you know nothing about / NNCO had cuts in December and having cuts today.

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  101. Anonymous7/09/2009 3:47 PM

    I've read JJC's columns before. They are garbage. Also, his picture makes him look like a major douche.

    ReplyDelete

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