Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Tuesday | Dec. 16 | Your News & Comments
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57 comments:
Jim says: "Proceed with caution; this is a free-for-all comment zone. I try to correct or clarify incorrect information. But I can't catch everything. Please keep your posts focused on Gannett and media-related subjects. Note that I occasionally review comments in advance, to reject inappropriate ones. And I ignore hostile posters, and recommend you do, too."
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I've never visited Detroit.
ReplyDeleteIn answer to a query from yesterday’s comment string, yes there are more ad production consolidations.
ReplyDeleteAll ad production from five of the papers in Wisconsin (Appleton, Oshkosh, Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, and Manitowoc) is being consolidated into Green Bay. This will be happening through the first few months of next year starting with Manitowoc in January.
Only a token production staff will remain behind at each site. All positions have been eliminated from all of those five departments and positions have opened up in Green Bay that are available for people to apply for. Some are first shift positions but there are also second and third shift positions. I don’t think there’s enough first shift positions to go around for everyone who had a first shift position before.
ha. now do gannettoid.com
ReplyDeleteIt seems like no one posts in the morning. Is that because the administrator is monitoring posts and is on west coast time? Why don't you just come what may and then fix it later?
ReplyDelete6:19 am: There's a comment spammer out there who I don't trust.
ReplyDeleteThere was some confusion over the time of the announcement in Detroit today. 9:30 AM is when all staff will be informed as to what's going on and Channel 2 TV news just reported that there is an 11:00 AM press conference - to announce it to the media.
ReplyDeleteYour sleep schedule must be crap for the last two weeks, Jim.
ReplyDelete[Suddenly waking up]: Tell me about it!
ReplyDelete"Jim Hopkins said...
ReplyDeleteI've never visited Detroit."
I have, and can report that you are not missing a single thing.
This is 4:02AM fro 12-15;
ReplyDeleteThank you to the poster yesterday who gave us the Frugality Websites
Reggie H.
hey 7:39--thanks for kicking us while we're down. Very classy.
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of good things in the Detroit area--world class art museum, beautiful neighborhoods, tons of lakes, parks, trails... I just don't know what will be left in a year.
Please say a prayer today for the people who will probably lose their jobs when Detroit shuts down most of the delivery.
ReplyDeleteThe Detroit Free Press will be streaming the news conference live on its website at 11 a.m. EST
ReplyDeletehttp://www.freep.com/
You're welcome for the frugal sites.
ReplyDeleteDetroit peeps - my frugal blog is based in your area. I've got lots of links to Michigan resources.
I want to thank your reader who encouraged folks laid off in NJ to apply for unemployment now, even though Kathy Abatemarco told us we are ineligible to collect it until AFTER our severance runs out.
ReplyDeleteWith fear of being accused of attempted fraud, I studied the separation paper carefully before taking a crap shoot and clicking "severance pay" as opposed to "continuance pay" in the application's drop-down menu. The memo seems deliberately ambiguous, but it uses the word "severance" more often than the word "continuance," so I chose severance.
It's a good thing I chose that option.
I received today from the state a booklet on my rights and responsibilities that defines the difference, including that severance pay means eligibility now and continuance pay means after severance checks quit coming:
"If your former employer gives you ... periodic payment ... based on past services, such payment is considered to be severance pay."
"If by contractual or other agreement, your employer continues to pay your wages and foregoes the services you normally performed ... this is considered to be 'Continuation Pay.' These payments may be either paid in ... pay periods ... or in a lump sum. You are considered to be 'employed' during this and you are not entitled to unemployment benefits.'"
Besides the key that our severance is based on length of service, the form separation memo handed to us on Dec. 2 says, "The Company's employment reference policy includes verification of your name/job title and department/dates of employment and that you no longer work at Asbury Park Press."
My bold emphasis, and, yes, HR clearly could use the editing services of the stellar journalists who they laid off to relieve Dubow of the higher salaries pre-Gannett folks earned over the years for excellence, quality going forward be damned.
But for the lawyers who may read here, I feel it at least bordered on fraudulent that Abatemarco told us we could not apply for unemployment now. And I'm pissed about that for my fellows who may have believed her and Roxanne Horning, who is responsible for the information Abatemarco gave.
NJ's unemployment office is expected to be bankrupt before spring is over, according to the APP's reporting, so it matters that we prepare to take care of ourselves. Many thousands of workers are being laid off daily in NJ, and I'm finding some jobs I'm applying for have hundreds of qualified applicants. We're all in for a bumpy ride for awhile.
4:51 AM - Nice redirect. However, the world would be better served if the domain was used to spread the word of the mother ship and it's mind controlling powers.
ReplyDeleteHey...they are live streaming a news conference about the Detroit Free Press at 11 a.m.
ReplyDeleteI admit that I am horribly biased in that I see the newsroom as the reason that a newspaper exists. That said, shouldn't Paul Anger (who didn't hire me once) and Gannett (who did at USAT and DetNews) get some credit for the fact that there were no newsroom layoffs in this announcement?
ReplyDeleteIf they can find a way to support the newsroom with online revenue, wouldn't that help the industry as a whole?
's OK, Jim. I've never visited San Francisco.
ReplyDeleteDid you know your city, Boston AND Manhattan would fit inside Detroit's borders? Learned it yesterday from freep.com. Didn't have to pay a penny.
I'm a proud Detroiter, but it's hard these days.
Pay attention to Detroit, folks. That is our future in 2009. I predict all of the community papers will shift to this model by mid-summer. I am not yet sure about USAT, but perhaps that, too. The reason will be economic after the first and second quarters are historic disasters. You don't have to be Nostradamus to see what is going to come in the next six months. So if you want to know what is going to happen to your job tomorrow, follow closely all of Detroits successes and faults. I am very, very pessimistic this can work, but I don't own the newspaper and didn't have a voice in making this decision. The one thing I agree about Hunke's description of this, there is no going back. Once this is done, that is it.
ReplyDeleteI find the attitude that layoffs are OK as long as they do not impact the newsroom offensive. If it wasn't for all the hard working people that work the long hours outside of the newsroom all you "journalists" would not be able to do what you do.
ReplyDeleteTo 12/16/2008 9:16 AM. It's Kathi and she and the whole group of them are the biggest phonies ever. The way they treat people is repulsive and I don't know how they sleep at night. Kathi and her cohorts (Delores Pinto) make the people from Jonestown look like free thinkers! Also anyone from NJ that thinks they have a legal case against the company should contact Caroline Kalson in Brick, NJ.
ReplyDeleteThanks 9:16!!!! I did my unemployment application on-line yesterday. I, also, clicked on "severence pay" but, I did put in the dates from and to of how long I expect to receive same pay. Any clue if that was the correct way to do it?
ReplyDeleteI've been out pretty actively job hunting - not in the same field - and am hoping to not have to use the unemployment. Most of the places I've gone have said they're pretty slow and aren't sure they'll be hiring til after the holidays. Right now though, I just want a job cause I'm going crazy being home. No money for X-mas, so no shopping and my home can't get any cleaner. Maybe, I'll have to get a hobby! Have to admit that I am pretty calm and less stressed! Happy Holidays to all!
And P.S. Jim, I've been to San Francisco and it's my favoritest city of all time!
12:08, ITA.
ReplyDeleteAgreed whole heartedly 12:08 - so all you peons (not journalists) out there - keep on plugging!!
ReplyDelete12:18 OM - I agree!
ReplyDeleteLook folks, we're in the crap together.
No journalists = no paper, no advertising reps = no journalists = no paper, no IT = no paper = no ad reps = no journalists, no mailroom = no paper out the door = you get the idea.
However, I would like to see those at corporate get the axe for running this company into the ground with their stupid ass ideas. Using my equalution above, Unemployed corporate idiots = (Happy EMPLOYED journalists, mailroom, ad reps, production, IT, etc)
Simple minded idea, I know.
9:16, Thank you. I hope everyone from NJ files ASAP. I waited one week, as I had 5 vacation days, and filed immediately. The term continuation pay was also used in my letter, erroneously at that. I faxed them the letter and they saw position eliminated and severence and put me on immediately. You know it is this kind of crap that I suppose shouldn't surprise us. Just that last kick as we are down. Best of luck to us all. We are going to need it because as you say there are a whole lot of qualified applicants out there for very few jobs.
ReplyDeleteThank you 12:08!
ReplyDeleteEgads -- I need a spell checker.
ReplyDelete"we're in the crap together" should be "we're in THIS crap together"
"equalution" should be "equation"
Sorry
12:08 I don't want to be obnoxious, but we are not all in this crap together. It is clear from the Detroit situation that the target of cost-cutting now and for the future is going to be the press room and delivery. Editorial and commercial won't be hit as hard in coming months as will the pressroom, mailers and delivery operations. I am telling you bluntly but as politely as I can that these GCI employees and contractors are on the frontlines of this fight, and you are fooling yourself if you think otherwise.
ReplyDeleteI feel sorry for all the employees still left. With all the layoffs the past 2 year the pension fund has been drained. I wonder what will happen when you decide to retire and there is no money left as all the severed one got to the cash first.
ReplyDelete12:09 -- Who is Caroline Kalson ?? I just want to cover my A$$.
ReplyDeleteI already sent my paperwork in for my pension money to be rolled into an IRA. I was not happy to lose my job after 20 years but at least I know I'm going to get my pension before the account runs dry and for that I'm happy.
ReplyDeleteThe same "severance" as opposed to "salary continuation" was stated by S. Stahoski at the Courier News in Bridgewater. To my knowledge, everyone who applied when they left was refused by the unemployment office(s). Claims were rejected because we still "worked" for Gannett in the respect that the checks were still coming.
ReplyDeleteHaving been denied the initial application for benefits, how do we fill out the application when the checks stop? Are we "re-opening" a claim?
It would have been fairly decent to have a meeting to explain all of this to employees, but that never happened! Only the union employees had that benefit!
1:28 PM
ReplyDeleteShe is a labor attorney in Brick.
12:57 That may be true but the feeling that many of you express on this board that its OK as long as it does not impact "journalists" is what I find offensive.
ReplyDeleteNewpapers writers are not jounalists anymore. They are only concerned with creating their own "blogs" and writing books based on stories covered for the papers they work for. Newspapers on the whole would be in much better shape if their lefist views were checked at the door and not printed in every paper in the US.
ReplyDeleteMost journalists are socialist leftist that are only concerned with bringing down this great country.
Circulation employees involved in Home Delivery at the Home News Tribune and Courier News were just informed that Home Delivery will be contracted out to PCF in January and February. They have been asked to stay until January. Shouldn't have been a surprise to those affected but I wish them the best finding new jobs.
ReplyDelete@3:09
ReplyDeleteSad to say, but you're correct.
the public has noticed. Papers have always had a political flavor. But it's so blatant now, the subscribing public had gone elsewhere. It sickens me. Newsitorial, Advertorial, who can you believe?
Hey gang, I was laid off a few weeks ago and was wanting to let others in on some things I found out. In KY you are allowed to file for unemployment while you collect your severance. My first check is on the way.
ReplyDeleteALSO... If you are interested in starting a new career outside of newspapers ask them at the Unemployment office what kind of educational opportunities there are. They'll direct you to other people who work federally to assist people looking to better themselves. I found out that there are federal funds available for displaced workers. I am going into healthcare, but there are other areas they will pay for. This not only gives me dollars for tuition, but it allows me to go to school, collect unemployment and not have to fulfill the "Looking for a job" requirement. They are called WIA (Workforce Investment Act) Funds. So if you've ever wanted to do something different it's a good thing to ask about what opportunities there are available.
Steve S.:
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information! I live in Kentucky but worked in Ohio (Cincinnati) and was laid off.
This and other good ideas are what we need to focus on sharing with other people.
Today is tipping point day for printed newspapers. Posters here today are prescient. Delivery, distribution and most production functions will be virtually nonexistent by the end of 2009. For background, see "oil, whale" and "whips, buggy." Those at risk: get retrained starting now. There's not a moment to lose.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand if newspapers are dead who am I delivering news papers to?Are these paying customers? are they all going to go to the internet in the morning to read a paper with thier coffee.
ReplyDeleteAre they going to go online to look for store ads and collect coupons they will have to print out. I beleive there are still enough people who like to hold a newspaper in there hands. Gannett no longer wants to be in the newspaper business I am sure new local papers will step in to fill the need while Gannett sinks into oblivion.
Hey, 2:12 - when were you laid off, and when did Gannett contact you re: pension? My last work day was in October and I still haven't received anything....
ReplyDeleteThere's still plenty of life left in print, Joe. Word.
ReplyDelete2:28 PM, don't wait until your severance runs out. Re-open your unemployment application and tell them you were duped into claiming continuance pay when, in fact, it's severance pay. If you need the full text of both definitions I gave in abridged form, let me know here and maybe Jim will be kind enough to pass it through from me to you by private email.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think maybe all of us in NJ should talk to that lawyer Caroline Kalson in Brick. I lost a week of my eligibility, because Abatemarco told me I was not eligible.
Frankly, this could be a potential criminal matter, as well as a civil case. I can't see how it could have been an accident on the company's part to inaccurately call it "salary continuance pay" AND tell us in person we could NOT collect until after severance runs out. The definitions do not seem ambiguous, at all, to me.
What's at stake is up to $560 a week for the duration of the severance period. That's a lot of moolah in some cases. I think successful litigation under NJ laws could recover all our loses and force Gannett to pay all legal fees. It may even require triple damages.
I think there is financial motive for Gannett if people didn't apply when they were entitled. My understanding is the state charges the company commensurate, somehow, with the number of people it puts on the unemployment rolls. Unemployment compensation isn't a government entitlement program; it's insurance we paid for in every paycheck. For Gannett to deceive us so we may be short-changed for its financial gain is a type of theft, IMHO.
My job was eliminated in October and I received my pension packet about 2 1/2 weeks ago.
ReplyDelete4:48: Yes, of course, certainly there's plenty of life left in print. But the perfect storm of online access for all, abandonment of newspapers by just about everyone under 40, the spectacular rejection of print by advertisers now in progress and the cost structures associated with mass distribution for all intents unsustainable, I'm only pointing out the inevitable long, slow death by a thousand cuts that began in Detroit today. I'm saddened by this unfortunate turn of events, having spent three decades at work in newspapers that I dearly loved. Please, if you job is on an endangered species list, get retrained pronto. Things will never return to what they were.
ReplyDeleteYou laid off folks in NJ:
ReplyDeleteGO GO GO GO
Hooray for ALL of you for FINALLY exposing upper management/personnel for the scum that they are!
FILE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT!!!!
12:18 No Debow? PRICELESS!
ReplyDeleteIt took me 30 days to get my pension information from Gannett. You can have someone in HR check and see if they have mailed your information yet. That's what I did.
ReplyDeleteChris Erwine to the rescue.
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one surprised that the DNA didn't try to offer home delivery at a premium to its current price? So let's say that customers are paying $4 a week for home delivery. What if I said that my new rate was $10 a week? Sure, I'd lose some readers. But I am going to lose many more by moving to a 3-day per week model. I just don't understand the logic here. They're still printing a paper every day. Still delivering it to several thousand places all over Michigan every day. But four days a week, they don't throw it at your house?
ReplyDeleteI must be missing something. How long before some enterprising guy tries to sign up 1,000 subscribers to go get the paper for them every day and try and get that $10 per week. You could net $5 a week or $260,000 per year after you paid for the papers. In a dense area, sounds like a nice little income.
I must be missing something. How long before some enterprising guy tries to sign up 1,000 subscribers to go get the paper for them every day and try and get that $10 per week.
ReplyDeleteThe Detroit folks would welcome such entrepreneurs, anyone who can make the money work for them. They've just decide that, for four days a week, it doesn't work for them.
9:37 Sounds like a great idea to me. $260,000 a year for home delivery per 1,000 houses is a great salary for living through a recession, although you would have to go through the old paperboy routine and collect it.
ReplyDelete9:37, how do you propose someone would be able to come up with 1,000papers to deliver if there were interest?
ReplyDeleteHey, if any of you were following my frugal living blog link for SE Michigan peeps ... it's back up.
ReplyDeleteThe hosting site crashed Thursday (would hits from this bunch have ANYTHING to do that that??).
The blog just went live again today Monday.
http://www.blogsmonroe.com/budget
I can't answer your questions about unemployment, 401k rollovers and such. But I can tell you how to grocery shop on a budget, find Michigan resources that will save you money, etc.