Gannett today resumes the slow torture of more than 30,000 newspaper division employees, still waiting to learn today -- but maybe not until tomorrow -- whether they're among 600 workers being laid off at the company's 84 community dailies. With the simultaneous elimination of 400 other division jobs, the downsizing is one of the newspaper industry's biggest mass layoffs. (Paper-by-paper list of layoffs.)
No duh: Employees are mighty pissed about how Gannett's handling this. A sampling of Gannett Blog comments -- with one reader saying Corporate has now lost control over its employee communications:
- The decision to announce the layoffs last week, and then drop the hammer this week, borders on inhumane. It's definitely cruel and unusual. There's nothing quite like having a full weekend to worry about your future.
- This is all so Mickey Mouse. They announce it Friday, so that makes the weekend miserable. Then the cuts aren't coming until Wednesday, so Mondays and Tuesdays are further misery. I can't blame anyone saying they can't stand the stress. You really have to ask yourself if you need to be treated this way by a company you have only shown loyalty towards.
- I think the day of an employee finding out anything from Gannett before Jim does is over. The way I see it, the word was given to publishers from Corporate on Wednesday of last week to send the word out to the employees by Friday about the layoffs. Jim found out the same day as the publishers. The publishers didn't even have a chance to print their letters to their employees before it was posted on this blog.
Earlier: Corporate's layoff instructions to newspaper publishers
[Image: yesterday's State Journal front page, Newseum]
http://www.edpadgett.com/blog/2008/08/mark-kurtich-former-svp-production-in.html
ReplyDeleteBy Debra Gruszecki • The Desert Sun
PALM SPRINGS — Mark Kurtich, a former senior vice president executive of operations with the Los Angeles Times, has joined The Desert Sun as its production director.
Richard Ramhoff, the Sun's president and publisher, said Kurtich brings considerable experience in management and production at newspapers both large and small.
"He began his career as a compositor and worked his way up into senior management,'' Ramhoff said. “I'm confident that The Desert Sun will benefit greatly from his skills and savvy.”
Kurtich said he is thrilled to be at the production helm.
“I've been pleased with the dedication toward this newspaper, and its mission,'' he said.
“Of all the employees, particularly the people I've been getting to know in the production side, there's a real belief in this newspaper,'' Kurtich said. “And, they understand the importance of serving our readers.”
Kurtich, the son of a printer, began his newspaper career at the Hartford Courant in Connecticut when the industry began its transition from the Linotype hot-metal typecasting to the digital age.
He rose through the ranks at the Courant to become that paper's vice president of circulation, production and customer service.
Recruited in April 1997 to the Los Angeles Times by the Times Mirror Co. to manage an $80 million-plus operating budget and 1,200 employees in print and production, Kurtich selected and put into play $100 million of new capital equipment and technology.
While there, Kurtich had full responsibility for a $72 million operating budget and $120 million supply chain budget to oversee four production facilities, one being a wholly-owned subsidiary designed in 2002 to grow share in the highly competitive preprint market.
Later, the recipient of a Tribune Co. management award in 2002 for leadership and operational improvement led a $45 million upgrade as a precursor to print operation consolidation.
“Small is going to be more fun,'' he said of The Desert Sun, noting that the size of the L.A. Times made it difficult to get to know co-workers. “Here, there's camaraderie and teamwork.”
Initial goals for Kurtich include ensuring an effective and efficient operation and to capitalize on its quality.
“It's a well-produced paper that will become more effective in helping the news and advertising side of the business deliver what customers need and want in a quality package,” he said.
Breaking News!!! Just weeks after Gannett announced the sale of their television station in Falgstaff. We wondered how long before it was going to be us at WLBZ in Bangor, Maine. Five lay-offs at WCSH in Portland and two in WLBZ were announced to us yesterday. Plus, the termination of our noon newscasts on the weekends. needless to say...we were not surprised.
ReplyDeleteLayoffs have started in Cherry Hill.
ReplyDeleteLayoffs have begun in Des Moines. Three longtime Register information center employees have been named, including one of the paper's repeat national prize winning feature writers. Half dozen more to go, I'm told.
ReplyDeleteWhy, in heaven's name, didn't they do everyone they were going to do at the same time?
If someone volunteers, can we really call that a layoff?
ReplyDeleteWondering if Westchester was the only paper that had the layoffs occur on the day of the announcement (Thursday).
ReplyDeleteFrom Wilmington: A 20-something female features writer and an assistant librarian are among the first here.
ReplyDeleteThis is Ken Fuson from the Des Moines Register. I know the timing is atrocious, but I'd like to point out for the record that I voluntary took a buyout. I was not laid off, and there was no pressure on me to take the buyout. This was my idea.
ReplyDeletefrom ruthholladay.com
ReplyDeleteLayofff notices going out today at (indy) Star
The process of notifying 23 people at the Star of layoffs has begun.
Employees are being notified directly; the Guild is not getting a hit list.
However, the secretive process raises concerns for the Guild that Gannett is not honoring seniority. Are older workers being picked off in greater numbers than younger ones?
Talking to Human Resources at the paper is like talking to a voice mail message, said one staffer. There is no real conversation. So right now, it's a lot of worry/wait, wait/worry.
What a lousy way to run a business. Especially a communications one...
(let the people say amen, sister!)
There must be a merger down the road in southern New York. The Rockland Journal News and the Poughkeepsie Journal cut the Managing Editor positions and these two guys were not old and were well respected and liked by the employees. The merger is actually not a bad idea but they should of kept these guys on, don't let the Westchester Power Clique of upper management ruin these two good news gathering sites. Once again it looks like GCI is protecting the over 55 ex USAT guys.
ReplyDeleteLayoffs have started at the Asbury Park Press and also at the Home News Tribune in New Jersey.
ReplyDeleteDon't know how many yet, but the joy is thick in the Garden State.
Gannett downgraded to "sell" ...
ReplyDeleteEach business day, TheStreet.com Ratings updates its ratings on the stocks it covers. The proprietary ratings model projects a stock's total return potential over a 12-month period, including both price appreciation and dividends. Buy, hold or sell ratings designate how the Ratings group expects these stocks to perform against a general benchmark of the equities market and interest rates.
While the ratings model is quantitative, it uses both subjective and objective elements. For instance, subjective elements include expected equities market returns, future interest rates, implied industry outlook and company earnings forecasts. Objective elements include volatility of past operating revenue, financial strength and company cash flows.
However, the rating does not incorporate all of the factors that can alter a stock's performance. For example, it doesn't always factor in recent corporate or industry events that could affect the stock price, nor does it include recent technology developments and competitive dynamics that may affect the company.
For those reasons, we believe a rating alone cannot tell the whole story, and that it should be part of an investor's overall research.
The following ratings changes were generated on Friday, Aug. 15: Gannett, a news and information company that operates in two segments, newspaper publishing and broadcasting, was downgraded to sell.
The downgrade is driven by multiple weaknesses, which we believe should have a greater impact than any strengths, and which could make it more difficult for investors to achieve positive results compared with most of the stocks we cover.
The company's weaknesses can be seen in multiple areas, such as its feeble growth in its earnings per share, deteriorating net income, disappointing return on equity, weak operating cash flow and generally disappointing historical performance in the stock itself.
Apparently a copy editor let go at Louisville. Poor guy who killed off Muhammad Ali a few months ago by referring to his wife Lonnie as his "widow" in a front-page cutline.
ReplyDeleteLay offs are in progress in Asbury. I know for sure, I was one of 'em.
ReplyDeleteWas he the only casualty from the "Information Center" in Louisville?
ReplyDeleteI saw the note on E&P about layoffs in Burlington, and it mentioned that one of their local columnists, Ed Shamy, was among the layoffs.
ReplyDeleteWow, I thought -- laying off a columnist, that's kind of a surprising move. It made me curious about him, so I went to the Burlington website to look up his columns.
It appears that his most recent columns have been dematerialized -- if you click on them, you get an error message saying the content is unavailable.
(His older columns appear to be in the paid archives -- I didn't try to get any of those.)
anon, 11:06 - I'm very sorry to hear that.
ReplyDeleteAPP person, are you newsroom or elsewhere? I am so sorry to hear it regardless. I got out, but am still in touch with folks and have been crossing my fingers.
ReplyDeleteCherry Hill employees got an e-mail today that a rep from the employee assistance program would be on hand today to meet with employees. How nice of them.
ReplyDeleteI'm 11:06 - not newsroom. The writing was on the wall and I was making preparations to leave, so I guess its ok. I have no idea if there have been layoffs in the newsroom yet. Haven't heard. If I hear more news, I'll come back and post.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the sympathies :)
I'm ex-APP and really curious to hear who is getting the axe over there. Anyone in the newsroom?
ReplyDeleteTwo Assistant Metro Editors and one from the Art department so far at APP.
ReplyDeleteHere in Asbury...alot of Advertising folks.
ReplyDeleteAPP so far 10 people newsside - all of community sports, two ame's, one graphic artist, librarian
ReplyDeleteIn rest of bldg. we're hearing lots in adv. sales...
Gannet papers still have art departments? for what?
ReplyDeleteIn NJ, Mario Rojas, Matt Potter and Ed Montague were let go.
ReplyDeleteAsheville Citizen Times, one down with over 15 years of service and another down that was there only a few.
ReplyDeleteTwo down, four to go...do it now before the blindfold falls off. The humanity of all this, make it stop.
Holy shit - at the APP, which AMEs?
ReplyDeleteWhat happens when these layoffs are history and the stock dives back down to pre layoff prices (as it is doing today)? Do they pink slip another round to appease Wall Street?
ReplyDeleteI heard somwhere near 20 ad folks in Asbury.
ReplyDeleteAPP community sports gone? Can you confirm the source on that?
ReplyDeleteIf vit wasn't already there, I believe these cuts will be the nail in the coffin at APP. The community hates the paper as it is, and you've gotta believe quality is going to suffer even more now. People are gonna hate it even more now.
ReplyDeleteCherry Hill -- Classified advertising was hit badly and just about the entire Detail department is gone too. We lost a great IT guy, a great Marketing guy, at least one from Finance and a few from Circ. The Info Center seems to be untouched. Agewise it's a rather even split - 45% under 40 and 55% over by my guess.
ReplyDeleteAnybody know about Ad Services or other Production staff?
That can't be right - why would APP fire all the scholastic sports writers??
ReplyDeleteOne I.T. person from APP...
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteAny word on timetables for exit? 30 minutes? 2 weeks? Shot to the head?
ReplyDeleteWell, this gets crazier by the minute at APP. My husband was just told no, he is not one of the folks getting laid off. His direct supervisor said yes, but that guy's boss said no.
ReplyDeleteCollect your stuff and get out is what it boils down to. But why would you want to stick around????
ReplyDeleteNice.
ReplyDeleteThat would make me even more upset if I was told it was me one minute and then , "no, no, no" another. What the HECK? Morons.
Karen, how can that be? Did somebody meet with your husband to say he was laid off? This is nuts!
ReplyDeleteHey Karen sorry about John. from ex app online manager.
ReplyDeleteAny metro reporters in Asbury?
ReplyDeleteYou get one minute per year of service to clean out your desk.
ReplyDelete12:39, fair point, but not a realistic option on short notice; not for us, anyway. John had talked to his supervisor, who had gotten the impression that the whole group of them was out. But according to Gary, that was a mistaken impression. Gary said John escaped the cuts. Not that it makes either of us feel better for those who aren't. This whole situation is terrible.
ReplyDeletedoes anyone have anymore information about Wilmington?
ReplyDeleteAny info from Bridgewater or East Brunswick?
ReplyDeleteWhat about the Florida papers? Who was laid off from Pensacola, Tallahassee, Brevard and Fort Myers?
ReplyDeleteWord is the Cherry Hill newsroom is safe this time.
ReplyDeleteHeard it's starting in Springfield. Any word from there?
ReplyDeleteAny more information on Louisville?
ReplyDeleteAny word about Indy?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteAny word on Des Moines?
ReplyDelete1:08, re: Florida--
ReplyDeleteBrevard and Ft. Myers will probably wait until those who risked their lives to cover Tropical Storm Fay have returned. Only then will they be made to walk the plank!
Jeez, it's like hearing the Trade Center came down and looking for survivors.
ReplyDeleteWilmington ppl! Any info??????I'm shakin in my boots
ReplyDelete1:34 PM, I have been thinking the same thing.
ReplyDeleteHey, how come posts with names are being removed?
ReplyDeleteDon't know about other Florida papers, but Fort Myers was told no layoffs as they just had a round of job cuts last month.
ReplyDeleteCleaned out great people in the East Brunswick office
ReplyDeleteAnon 1:11 -- The entire newsroom at Cherry Hill IS safe. This time, anyway. You wouldn't believe what a room full of people finally exhaling after five days sounds like.
ReplyDeleteAs I was walking into the office this morning, a stream of ad folks were walking out and carrying their boxes. It's really pretty heartbreaking. Even those of us who didn't lose our jobs today were teary-eyed, and I can't even begin to tally how many hugs I've received from people whose names I don't even know. I've got my fingers crossed for all you guys. <3
Too many good people were let go at East Brunswick Home News Tribune. Any word on the Courier News side?
ReplyDeletewho was let go in the APP advertising dept.?? Managers??sales reps??
ReplyDeleteIt seems to have calmed down at the APP - no one else in the newsroom since the last post. People from the night desk and sports have yet to come in though.
ReplyDeleteSo far I've been able to identify 6 of the 14 at Greenville. The last librarian they had was let go (and the EE's sitter, er, admin asst is now the librarian.) Production lost one, the rest in sales.
ReplyDeleteFYI: at the APP and HNT, artists do everything from page design for section fronts to graphics/charts, illustrations, web content, oversee photo shoots for projects and conceptualizing for projects. Big job, big losses.
ReplyDeleteAs of 2:oo pm Tuesday, stock dropped about 75 cents. Once the layoffs are accomplished, the stock dive will continue. Prediction: Gannett stock will drop and keep dropping 'cause the end is near for newspapers and Gannett has not idea how to make internet work. The empty suits at the papers and the morons at the top in Virginia remain. Only the hardworking have been chopped but still many losers remain.
ReplyDeleteWhat if you're off or on vacation? Will someone call you at home to tell you not to bother coming in anymore?
ReplyDeleteWhat 1 or 2 positions in Hattiesburg?
ReplyDelete@1:42 pm: I removed that one because the commenter said two people had been "fired." I believe they meant laid off. There's a world of difference, as I'm sure you understand.
ReplyDeleteWhat's happening with the app circulation dept? We have not heard a word yet. The torture continues!!
ReplyDeleteAny word on the Arizona Republic> I’m sitting in the newsroom and everyone looks frightened. I’m hoping that Kiera Nothaft will be one of the first to get the boot so I can jump up and cheer!!!!! I swear, I will do it!
ReplyDelete@2:11 - Bingo. Looks for the $14 mark coming soon.
ReplyDeleteReading these comments top to bottom sounds like a script from "Invasion of the Body Snatchers." Gannett takes over a newspaper, plants a pod underneath each desk, and the ones that don't grow are soon gone.
ReplyDeleteWhat APP circ dept? That was all sent to Kentucky over a year ago...except the managers. They're all still there. And a VP.
ReplyDeleteFrom Wilmington: A longtime newsroom administrator. Several people in other departments, but no details.
ReplyDeleteAlso in Wilmington, a features reporter who has been here maybe a year or so and an assistant librarian.
ReplyDeleteIn Wilmington: anyone let go in sports?
ReplyDeleteIs there any information on the specific criteria used to decide who was laid off?
ReplyDeleteany one know if NJ is close to the 50 figure? I work nights & wonder what fate our already skeleton crew is facing in a few hours.
ReplyDeleteIt would seem that seniority played a role in who was laid off at the APP.
ReplyDeleteWell I can only speak for myself,but I was just let go - (Bridgewater)Circulation Sales Manager. Put in 13 years and many weekends and evenings (In fact I just spent 4 hours this past Saturday at an event at a local store promoting the CN reading program and NIE) Thanks ex-boss! Well, I will have a good cry and get on to the business of finding a job- tough at 57 but I'm sure there will be something. Guess I won't be putting a new roof on my house. I feel for those who have families to support and huge mortgages to pay. My 25 year old daughter has been making more money than I was for a while now! My best to all of you that have been let go and keep your head up high.
ReplyDeletedoesn't seem like seniority played a role in production dept at APP. One person with a few yrs. in was let go & two with 20+ yrs. in that I know of. People in between 2-20 yrs. still hanging on.
ReplyDeleteThere was no seniority done with this, I was one of the unlucky and I had 10 years. I was at the NJ group. It is shame what happened today, people that gave everything they had were let go. I am trying to look at it as a blessing cause we all know the work load was not going to get better.
ReplyDeleteDid they even TRY to look for dead weight? We lost some great people today.
ReplyDeleteAnd was anyone offered a buyout? That idea was completely nixed here in Indianapolis, even though more than enough were ready to hit the road.
I agree with 3:52 - at the APP, those let go in the newsroom run the gamut from having been here a year or two to those with many more years under their belt - two are in their 20s and three were 40
ReplyDeleteish and older
So far 5 in Morristown...5 more to go
ReplyDeleteHelen Keller said: when one door closes, another one opens. Often, we are so busy looking at the closed door we fail to see the one that has opened. I wish all of those laid off at any time in their careers to realize that life does go on and believe it or not, many times better things happen.
ReplyDeleteI have walked in your shoes and I can tell you, life has many blessings and surprises. Hold your head high. Be grateful for the people you met and take pride in the work you did. You are not defined by your job.
right on 4:04 - I am totally with you! The only thing that upsets me about my layoff is the way it was handled. Not even a thank you and I had put in quite a bit of time there - not dead weight, I was one of the real workers. Oh well. Time to move on...what doesn't kill you makes you stronger...
ReplyDeleteWhat is to become of the breaking news team at the APP with Nirmal gone? Anyone know?
ReplyDelete"Jeez, it's like hearing the Trade Center came down and looking for survivors."
ReplyDeleteUm, no, it's not. Not even close. Yeah, this sucks big-time but let's get a grip here, folks.
4:25, no news yet, I don't think. It seems the group affected by the lay off of one of the metro editors is meeting now. Hopefully there will be a staff meeting in the days to come.
ReplyDeleteFYI (as I know so far): @Westchester - three from Ad Design, two from Classifieds, one from Systems, one from Editorial. Still need to find the other five.
ReplyDeleteI agree with 4:04 because I lived through that experience. I was forced out about three years ago. It was shocking at first, but I later found it to be the best thing that ever happened to me. I took a few months off, and then I took a new job where I'm respected for my abilities and skills. Now, I can clearly see how rotten Gannett is to the core. I now know the difference between successful publishers and editors, and those who have blamed their subordinates all the way to the top for their own failings. I want this to be a message of hope to everyone still toiling at Gannett. There is a much better life ahead of you. It does not exist at Gannett. Gannett has failed and will continue to do so, and you should not have to suffer because of it. The Information Center is the company's big sham. There is no plan. My sincerest hope is that you all find your own way out before the decision is made for you. If you do find yourselves being laid off or forced out, you will soon find out that it is a blessing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, 4:35. I found out today that I'm being laid off and have been distraught and your message brought me hope.
ReplyDeleteFrom Des Moines' EE Carolyn Washburn:
ReplyDeleteI want to announce the results of the layoffs that Laura announced last Friday. This week we have to say goodbye to five colleagues: Jane Norman, Jeff Bash, Steve Dinnen, Mike Malloy and Carl Benskin. In addition, some people will receive new assignments so that we fill positions internally. That will mean a bit of disruption in the near term, but it was important to us to find the best fits possible for the unique requirements of each job. We have talked to most of those folks today and will finalize a couple of remaining changes within a week. Next week we will have an updated organizational chart. Obviously this is very difficult for everyone. I appreciate your support for each other, and your dedication to serving the community that is dealing with tough times of its own.
Carolyn
Well. At least someone told the truth. This WAS all about laying off people and nothing about eliminating positions.
ReplyDeleteLansing started today at 4:00p... so far 2 in Advertising, 1 in Circ, 1 in Marketing, 1 in Production and 1 in Finance. That leaves two left to go...
ReplyDeleteIs it just here or are all the other executive editors pussying out and making department heads do the firing?
ReplyDeleteNot having the balls to personally lay off people who have worked for you shows what kind of "leadership" we are dealing with.
7 in "information center" laid off
ReplyDeleteHere is the list from the Indianapolis Guild, which represents 214 employees:
Greg Fisher, Kelly Kendall, Mark Koenig, Jim Herman, Jonathon LaRosa,
Kathleen Singleton, Mark C Morrow.
According to a Guild spokesperson: Fisher is a long time picture editor; Kendall has had two tours of duty here and was an exempt ass't features editor; Koenig was a new hire who was to start work this week; Herman held several management positions here over the years; LarRosa and Singleton were paraprofessionals with low seniority.
The news of layoffs came from exec editor Dennis Ryerson in person or through a telephone call.
Also, there were 23 layoffs total. Others were not in the newsroom or building services and not covered by the contract.
Exec editor Ryerson pointed out these people are being laid off, not fired. They can reapply for jobs if and when they become available.
Check the Guild's web site for more info, to be posted soon:
http://einkling.wordpress.com/
As someone who spent 20 years in Gannett, let me say how sorry I am to all of my former coworkers who have been told their services are no longer needed and to those who still lose sleep while waiting. As someone who left Gannett a year ago of my own volition--not forced out, but certainly made to feel unwelcome in the brave new world--I can say that the water in the post-Gannett world is great. Yes, I've made some lifestyle changes and yes, finding health insurance is a pain (and I have no pre-existing conditions). But I have a freedom in working for myself that I never thought I'd have. I perhaps work harder, but for a more moral boss (myself) than I ever did before. My salary is almost up to what I made before I left (though self employment taxes take a bigger bite) and no one is funding my pension or my 401(k) but me.
ReplyDeleteBut life is good. You need to hear that today. But more than that, you need to hear something that you haven't heard in a good while: no matter what department you're in, you have skills. And someone on the outside wants those skills. You may have been made to feel as if you have absolutely no value and you should thank God daily for mama Gannett, but that's a lie, one meant to trap you there. Don't just look at what you've done, look at what skills you've acquired and see how they translate into the new world. It may not be in media at all. So dig deeper, hang in there and I can say as one who's been there before, life will look a lot different this time next year.
And to those who survive the hatchet at this point, I'd only offer this: never feel trapped. You always have options and it may take some creativity to find them. But don't get roped in by the "golden handcuffs" that Gannett is so good at keeping its staff in check with. The notion that you'll never find something else that you love as much as journalism, or you'll never make as much, is just that -- a lie.
My thoughts are with you all...
Good thoughts, 6:12 PM. You don't have to worry about the "golden handcuffs" anymore, they were unlocked when the stock fell from $84 to under $20. Be Free!
ReplyDeleteAs I posted yesterday, Brevard did not wait. All layoffs were completed on Monday starting around 9am.
ReplyDeleteto 5:07 I was told my position was eliminated. period. To 6:12 and every former employee who has commented on this blog, I thank you- as it gives me the hope, courage and strength I need right now.
ReplyDeleteEast Brunswick -Part time receptionist,maintance guy,3 in advertising dept.,anyone else now of more people???
ReplyDeleteAll told, it seems that APP lost six newsroom employees today: two assistant metro editors, the librarian, a member of the art department, the sports editor of the community weeklies, and a member of the daily sports department. Unless there were more that happened after 5 p.m.
ReplyDeleteEast Brunswick - 1 in Art department APP -Manager of Finance add to list
ReplyDeleteNJ Group finally put something up about what they did at 5:22 pm. There was no mention in the paper at all to date.
ReplyDeleteGannett eliminates N.J. jobs
STAFF REPORT
Gannett Co. Inc. eliminated 120 full- and part-time positions Tuesday at its six newspapers in New Jersey due to deteriorating business conditions.
The layoffs took place at the Asbury Park Press, the Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, the Home News Tribune in East Brunswick, the Courier News in Bridgewater, the Daily Record in Parsippany and the Daily Journal in Vineland.
"Business conditions continue to deteriorate for our customers and, as a result,
advertising revenues have not stabilized,'' said Thomas M. Donovan, president and publisher of the Asbury Park Press and vice president of Gannett's East Newspaper Group.
"We have worked hard through the first half of this year to maintain tight expense
controls. Unfortunately, economic conditions have grown worse, forcing us to cut expenses further,'' Donovan said.
Employees who lost their jobs were provided severance pay based on their years of service to the company.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThat's lame to (publicly) wish for someone's demise. At least put your real name on it if you're going to hex real people. Goodness.
ReplyDelete8:13 has a good point. Plus, 8:01 lost all credibility after lumping in T.C. with those others. T.C. works his ass off and actually cares about his staff. What a concept.
ReplyDelete8:13 - Did you mean, Good Lord? LOL.
ReplyDeleteEast Brunswick lost ONE fantastic staffer in the ADS department; the other two were reassigned to Bridgewater ADS department where they lost NO ONE. That's right folks, now there are 2 managers, 6 graphic designers, 1 classified paginator/graphic designer, 1 copy entry/proofreader, 1 EPSer, and 1 email processor. Must be nice to live in the merry old land of Oz!
ReplyDeleteFrom Springfield:
ReplyDeleteMiddle managers take a hit.
Open AME job eliminated.
Top editor in charge of design, graphics now an hourly page designer
Niche content editor now a reporter.
Designer of niche magazine moves to features design desk.
Data editor position will not be filled.
It appears they will be allowed to fill one or two critical reporting positions newsside but a question remains on the minor-league, small-college sports writer position.
Managers will be moved into hour spots at full salary.
Sad day in Springfield. The grand lady is just a shadow of its former great self where we kicked ass and took names when it came to covering this area.
Nobody touched us. Now, we're getting beat on stories by a local, p-t blogger in town.
Circulation is down to lows not seen in 30-40 years and still dropping.
Online unique visitors slowly fading.
Nobody touched us. Now, we're getting beat on stories by a local, p-t blogger in town.
Pitiful.
I hope Gannet is proud of what they've done to us.
Same goes regarding the Advertising Department. Most cuts were at the East Brunswick location. 2 managers were let go at E. Brunswick while Bridgewater stills has their BS managers.
ReplyDeleteApp in TR lost two in Advertising.
ReplyDeletePlenty of BS to go 'round in both East Brunswick AND Bridgewater, in my experience.
ReplyDeleteLooks like Bridgewater was untouchable in the advertising department, thought it was supposed to be managers that went. Looks like they missed some. The ladies from East Brunswick were hard workers and dedicated to the paper. I have seen them work their asses off but I guess someone had it out for them. Sad losses for that department, they had also worked well with me over the years,.
ReplyDeleteHey Jim
ReplyDeleteInteresting that 4 innocent folks are named in the 8:01pm blog from Arizona for no other reason than one individual holding a grudge, whereas in the past couple of months, when managers (usually from a certain NJ paper) whose name(s) or initials have come up, the blog(s) get deleted. Why is that? Do libel rules apply only to the chosen few?
And which paper could we be talking about?
ReplyDelete9:41 pm: Thanks. It's now gone.
ReplyDeleteYup Bridgewater was untouchable in advertising as well as ad production. And the Courier News circulation is one-half to two-thirds that of the Home News. Go figure. Wonder what the publisher has to say about that.
ReplyDeleteAs he would say, his hands were tied. Who is really running the paper?
ReplyDeleteI am extremely appreciative to Jim for this blog, and I have been on it a great deal since I was laid off this week.
ReplyDeleteBut let me offer a word of advice to others who have lost their jobs in the 2008 Gannett massacre - get away from the computer and your cell phone for awhile. Go for a long walk. Head for the local pool and swim awhile. Play a round of tennis or golf if you can, go for a long run if that's your chosen outlet. If you have little kids, take them to a playground and enjoy just being with them in the middle of what would otherwise be a work day.
There will be plenty of time to obsess over what's next. But all of us laid-off folk must preserve our mental health, for our families' sakes and our own.
Personally, today I went to see an old movie, and it was a welcome distraction from so many heavy thoughts on my mind. I came home much better able to deal with the pile of emails and phone messages from concerned and upset colleagues, friends and relatives.
This is an awful time right now, and I am so angry and sad and revolted at the way I have been treated that I'm nearly nauseous, but all things must pass, and this will as well. In the meantime, again thank you to Jim for making us a community.
Is this over and done with - or can we expect more of the same for tomorrow?
ReplyDeleteToday was absolutely horrible, waiting to find out who the next casualty was. The way that management carried this out felt very much like a hit and run.
We lost some really great, talented people at the Asbury Park Press. I did not get the opportunity to work with all of them - but they will be sorely missed.
It's not over. As far as I can tell they haven't started any of the layoffs yet at the 11 Wisconsin papers.
ReplyDeleteShocking that the Bridgewater Ad people were spared and that so many at Asbury and E. Brunswick were laid off. Most of those people in Bridgewater don't even show up until well after the work day starts. From what I have seen when forced to go there, the place is a joke.
ReplyDeleteI guess we'll see how it all plays out in the months ahead.
An APP employee here: I have to laugh at the posting of 2:08 regarding the "extensive" work of the art dept. That crew and it's gang leaders long has escaped all scrutiny. And now it loses a young woman from it's over-staffed roster and it's bawling? That's chutzpah. But it's worked for them this long.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with 10:38...some of those people maintained the worst attitudes in the building...how so many of them have been spared over and over is beyond me...
ReplyDeleteAPP had a bloodbath in the Classified dept, a seemingly endless string of people being called into the manager's office and let go. A few people in APP ADS, two copy editors in Special Sections/Advertorial, 6 or 8 people in the newsroom.
ReplyDeleteHNT lost two excellent people in Advertising. Not sure why the cuts weren't made on the Bridgewater side of things (where incompetence runs riot).
VERY depressing day.
Back in college, one of my mentors said this to me: "Manage your career. No one else is going to do it for you."
ReplyDeleteI say that only because, as a 22-year Gannett veteran, I feel like I have survived as long as I have -- and with as much mental health as I have -- because I have taken it upon myself to manage my career. When I could, I took night classes at my local college and got a master's degree. I taught myself new skills in technology, went to conferences, spent hours learning new ways to do things.
So if I get laid off, or if the paper or the company shuts down, at least I have some technology skills I can take somewhere. What most newspaper people don't realize is that, outside of journalism, most of the skills you get paid for -- and which are so valuable to the newspaper -- really don't mean much in the general business world. That's why a well-paid reporter will take a 30%-40% pay cut when switching industries -- and that's optimistic.
So, if you can, learn a lesson from this. Manage your career! Always have an escape plan. Keep your resume tuned up and always ask yourself, "What would I be doing if this went away."
Beyond that, manage your money! No matter what you earn, learn to live within your means and not by racking up unnecessary debt. Save for a rainy day. Like now.
We will be doing our layoffs on Monday. We too will be losing some great people. The confusion part is that we are losing revenue generating positions. Not sure how cutting position that bring in more money then they are paid will help reverse the declining revenue trend.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to 8/19/2008 8:31 PM, about ADS East Brunswick. There will still be one designer & a copy/proofer left there. That designer will be processing all ads to be sent to the Courier in Bridgewater to be either produced by that staff or sent off to 2ADPro. The two designers that are being sent to the Courier will work with the ADS staff there, but have been told they will return to the HNT in the first quarter of 2009; after the Courier building is sold. With the Courier staff in tow? Only the managers of ADS know for sure. We will miss our lead designer who was let go at the HNT extremley. He is a great artist and human being. God bless Frank Rosato. God Bless all who were let go today and all those who remain.
ReplyDeleteThere are many art departments in limbo, print is dead with Gannett so they pretend to know enough web skills to survive. But these departments can't last much longer without so little productivity, they have to be the next to be cut, centralized or outsourced.
ReplyDeleteBe sure of this...quality will suffer and revenue will continue to go down the toilet. You can't cut sales staff to nothing and expect to generate more revenue. It doesn't work that way. Cutting staff down to nothing in any dept. isn't going to make the quality of the product better. And if the people making the decisions don't understand that, its no wonder why we're in this mess in the first place.
ReplyDeleteI heard that Asbury is bringing in a motivational speaker tomorrow...what timing!!!
ReplyDeleteChecking in from Montgomery: We've been told (per the publisher's letter last week) that the layoffs will come down tomorrow, the 20th. I'm sure those of us working at the Advertiser will keep everyone here posted throughout the day.
ReplyDeleteI have to disagree with you @ 10:51 "What most newspaper people don't realize is that, outside of journalism, most of the skills you get paid for -- and which are so valuable to the newspaper -- really don't mean much in the general business world. That's why a well-paid reporter will take a 30%-40% pay cut when switching industries -- and that's optimistic.
ReplyDeleteI don't know anyone who has taken a pay cut since leaving newspapers. But I agree that diversifying your skills at this point in the business is the best thing you can do for yourself.
This goes back to the initial article to which these comments are posted:
ReplyDelete"I think the day of an employee finding out anything from Gannett before Jim does is over. The way I see it, the word was given to publishers from Corporate on Wednesday of last week to send the word out to the employees by Friday about the layoffs. Jim found out the same day as the publishers. The publishers didn't even have a chance to print their letters to their employees before it was posted on this blog."
Isn't this a fallacy? Several of the publisher's letters to their employees said their plan for reduction of staff was awaiting approval from some higher tribunal, so how could they just have learned they were going to have to lay people off last Wednesday?
I realize the Corporate memo to the publishers was undated, but come on! Would even Gannett be so stupid as to expect layoffs to be carried out in such a substandard manner, with no time to weigh different options?
Doesn't this seem strange and a little self-aggrandizing even for Jim?
Funny question anon 11:25..."Would Gannett be so stupid?" Is that, like, a trick question or something???
ReplyDeleteTo 10:59pm: The Courier News Production department is obviously very valued and will no doubt be left intact. They are extraordinarily talented and professional. To be sure they will most likely, at least in part if not all, be relocated to HNT or to Asbury to replace those people once their building is sold.
ReplyDeletei think that the lack of lay offs at the Bridgewater is pretty obvious.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait after they lay off 35 people from " The Arizona Republic" pressroom that they get to the foreman and managers that are so overstaffed and only work 6 hours a day. Two secretaries can do the record keeping that six foreman do a day.Also lets peel back the onion layers of management that "Bob Kotwasinski" the vice president of production has created over the years. Hmmmmm, maybe just canning him would suffice!! It will be interesting to see while the other "common workers" are getting thrown out without a "buyout"!! Shame on "the Republic" management!!
ReplyDeleteI've always wondered who they have picture of...the people at Bridgewater are talented but no more than many others I have worked with. I just don't get why they weren't touched???
ReplyDeleteI think after the layoffs and buyouts that all the employees ought to bend over backwards and lick their own testicles to prove to the upper management their own dedication with doing the job of three people!!
ReplyDeleteI want to "Thank You" officially jim for this blog! Because there are people starting to finally read this after years of being suppressed at "The Arizona Republic". The right to work state here and the cowards that breed are many. I just wish that for once in thier lives they had the intestinal fortitude to stand against the management that has been "raping" them over the past couple of "supposely union" contracts. When they wake up it will be over in the elaborate "Gannett" game of turning your contract aginst you! But these "idiots" say yes so who the hell am "I"? time to go to a foreign country I guess! Or let imigrants take my job!!!!Thanks for the blog friend!
ReplyDeleteTally from Binghamton: 1 official layoff was receptionist in our lobby. Nice lady, but not critical to the operation.
ReplyDeleteHowever I'm convinced management/publisher saw layoffs coming and got rid of some others in the last couple of months - I know of at least 4-5 others who vanished.
That way, when the axe came this week we could look like we only got rid of 1 employee - which technically is true. Tricky.
not to mention all the other positions that will remain unfilled - there are a bunch in the newsroom alone...
To 10:59pm: The Courier News Production department is obviously very valued and will no doubt be left intact. They are extraordinarily talented and professional. To be sure they will most likely, at least in part if not all, be relocated to HNT or to Asbury to replace those people once their building is sold.
ReplyDelete8/19/2008 11:57 PM
To 8/19/2008 11:57 PM. The ADS staff or what's left of it at the HNT is very, very talented & professional. They have won NJPA awards numerous times. They are no less talented than the staff at the Courier or the APP! They consistantly have moved huge work loads that should have been tackled by a much larger staff; and by deadline. And never had overtime, working without their break or lunch time and sometimes past their departure time. All the while, the Courier staff had less work, though no fault of their own. It's the management that dictates or favors. Both staffs need their jobs, but do their jobs want/need them? Don't rest on thinking you are valued above others, the bottom line is what is the valued by Gannett, and that is money in their pockets!
Here at the APP they got rid of the night proofreader who they laid off two months ago and then hired back. Makes sense, right... idiots!
ReplyDeleteRumor has it that next wave is going to be in November. Does anyone know how true this is? I wish they would just lay me off already. The other rumor is that they will have everyone out of the Toms River building by the end of the year. Again, does anyone know how true this is?
And how the heck does the picking of who gets let go of??? Because all of us know WHO should go (days in ADS). One in particular gets paid to run the show and does absolutely NOTHING! Oh wait, yes he does....he bs-es with a certain manager ALL day (don't think his nose can get any browner), walks around, and is always outside smoking!
10:52, I know exactly of whom you are speaking. Couldn't agree more. I know a lot of real workers that were given the heave yesterday in Asbury, while a lot of the "fat" was left. It should have been cut.
ReplyDeleteAnother lost in the APP newsroom - a young woman who has been here a year.
ReplyDeletei know who 1052 & 1142 are referring to and most of us are positively SICK about him still loafing around. They cut good workers yesterday - people who actually produced - and kept on this waste, who was actually arrogant enough to be giddy yesterday. Hey - we all understand if he was relieved to still be employed because seriously with his HS diploma and little else, where would he be getting his next job? But to be happy yesterday, you've got to be a complete moron. Even if the writing on the wall didn't spell out your name this time.... the end is near for all of us. Only a fool would think otherwise. But that probably explains it.
ReplyDeleteHe's a doofus. Hopefully those of us who got the boot yesterday will all land on our feet, because somehow, they let go of the people with talent, values, work ethic, etc. A moron like that will hang on thinking he will be safe forever. Good luck to him, he's gonna need it. He's on a sinking ship and it doesn't sound like anyone is gonna throw him a life preserver.
ReplyDeleteYour OC members were the ones who came up with the names for the 'sacrificial offering'. I saw no consideration for talent, job function or seniority - just seemed like the ones the boss didn't like because they didn't kiss ass or they questioned actions. And yes 1:13,I too heard people laughing yesterday as people were being laid off. How disrespectful and cruel.
ReplyDeleteThere are some also who seem to think if they have a hand in the outsourcing (2adpro & AOS) that they are safe. Keep thinking that way ad traffiker... you'll be really dumbfounded when you find yourself in the unemployment line as well. From what I understand someone from HNT had a hand in those very same things (and More!)and found this morning that he didn't have to get up for work. No disrespect for him - he was a great guy... i'm thinking about ad traffiker... you should have been a little more respectful of your coworkers yesterday... you know... laugh lines add wrinkles...
ReplyDeleteWould love to know who you are talking about. Care to give a clue.
ReplyDeleteif you know ADS at APP Neptune... think who has a primary job function of sending & receiving ads from 2AdPro & AOS... or if you were in the office yesterday... a person who is not management that is thinking she will be the last one left, and was pretty self-righteous in that thought.
ReplyDelete10:52, you couldn't have said it any better! He is the biggest jerk I have ever met. I am from sales and I hate when I have to deal with him. He is such an arrogant bastard! It's incredible how he gets away with the way he speaks to sales when we approach him. Not to mention every time I go over to the art dept, he is hardly in his seat and if he is, he is online or playing with his cell phone. Hmmm, wonder how many rules he breaks in a day?! But hey, let's keep someone like this....
ReplyDeleteRE:Go figure. Wonder what the publisher has to say about that.
ReplyDelete8/19/2008 9:48 PM
The publisher of CN and HNT has nothing to say about it. Its pretty obvious that he is not the one running the show (hint : the lack of lay offs in Bridgewater or the CN) Here is an idea. Gannett should get rid of him.that would fit right into their salary budget. He has no idea on how to run a newspaper. So sad.......
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteThere are some also who seem to think if they have a hand in the outsourcing (2adpro & AOS) that they are safe. Keep thinking that way ad traffiker... you'll be really dumbfounded when you find yourself in the unemployment line as well. From what I understand someone from HNT had a hand in those very same things (and More!)and found this morning that he didn't have to get up for work. No disrespect for him - he was a great guy... i'm thinking about ad traffiker... you should have been a little more respectful of your coworkers yesterday... you know... laugh lines add wrinkles...
8/20/2008 3:24 PM
In response, He at the HNT who was let go yesterday is indeed a great guy. He only sent the 2ADpro ads because he was doing what he was told. NOT because he wanted to. He did not voluteer for the job, he was the lead designer for God's sake! He loathed sending them and was selective what he sent for the most part. The weekly quota was never met. Now the Courier will have to send them. Because "they" broke up the HNT ADS staff. I really think such staff will be history, once the Courier building is sold and the move the HNT completed in 2009.
In response to 10:52, 11:42, 1:13, 3:09 & 5:34: He is indeed arrogant and has been loafing for years. I worked there under him for 2 years and He would pass work to me that was given to him, once a sales rep left his desk with a request to fix something. It did not matter that I was handling sometimes 2 or 3 ads already. Git'r'Done!!! Right! Watch yourself, Gannett will Git'r'Done soon enough with him too!
Does this M an K eep the rumor mill open,along with not doing his job?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteYour OC members were the ones who came up with the names for the 'sacrificial offering'. I saw no consideration for talent, job function or seniority - just seemed like the ones the boss didn't like because they didn't kiss ass or they questioned actions. And yes 1:13,I too heard people laughing yesterday as people were being laid off. How disrespectful and cruel.
8/20/2008 3:12 PM
anon 3:12 PM - Are you still employed here? I too agree that people were let go of in many cases on the basis of personality...not seniority, job function, work ethic, etc. I can think of a few who would have been better to let go...
Does this M an K eep the rumor mill open,along with not doing his job?
ReplyDelete8/20/2008 8:45 PM
As I recall he was always yakking and gossiping, like a old lady! Looks like he still is, as these previous posts are indicating. For others, this person is at one the the NJ group newspapers ad production. Hmm, production. Really a word that does not describe him! ;)
anon 10:15 - No I am no longer part of Gannett and I was the one who heard laughing while I was packing up my things. That hurt more than anything. My boss, who undermined, talked bad about everyone (even fellow OC members) and threw folks under the bus,was very happy to see me go.
ReplyDelete10:25 AM
ReplyDeleteOuch. That would have hurt me, too. Hope you had a good day, and if you didn't, I just know tomorrow will be better!
That is true. HR and certain directors/managers at HNT (NJ group) had no respect what so ever for the unfortunate people that got the axe. It was disgusting.
ReplyDeleteManagers, what managers. Weren't they all let go.
ReplyDeleteOh my! Give it you Gannett robots! As an ex-Gannett staffer, I HATE Gannett. I am happy for the layoffs, I am happy to see the stock fall to worthless.... I HATE Gannett and anyone who has stayed with them gets what they deserve! 1,000 employees laid off??? Whaaa, whaaa ... what do you expect from idiots like Phil Curry and his gang of "corporate insiders?" Give it up folks.... go work at the corner grocery!
ReplyDelete