Saturday, March 21, 2009
Saturday | March 21 | Your News & Comments
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51 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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Had the most wonderful experience of my Gannett "life" yesterday. My proxy envelope arrived and I voted "NO" on the entire Dubow Board and their inherent raises. I have anted to vote against their threatening tactics for many years. Now that they have fired me and I am very close to finding out what the new and eteranl life will be like, I can tell Gannett that they don't deserve their bonuses and pay increases for sinking the entire ship.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be diabolical if God has a warped sense of humor and HE/SHE is actually Craig Dubow???
Time for more dilaudid...
Since NJ only has five readers now, I put this on here. I am a laid off NJ slave and will be buried (or incincerated) in the Garden State. If you have any NJ friends, you might direct them over here. Thanks!
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ReplyDeleteOne week pay reduction on top of a one week furlough is being announced on Monday!!! I also heard that the pay reduction is "temporary" BUT it is being taken out in the 2nd quarter and not across the rest of the year. So, essentially, we will see two weeks of less income for the next three months!!!
ReplyDeleteThis place is truly falling apart and Dubow and Martore are doing a good job destroying this company. I am sure these additional furloughs and now the pay reduction will save the company some jobs in the short term, but don't be fooled by this action.
History will show that furloughs lead to salary reductions and then to layoffs.
Gannett is following a traditional manufacturing cost savings model.
You know, if they hadn't given 2000 executives bonuses (actually, that's not a bad number, it's a small percentage of total population...or $40,000 average that would have gone a long way toward cutting out last weeks furloughs. That's $80 million which could have easily been reduced to say $50 million and still be rewarding.
ReplyDeleteI am sick to death of the unsubstantiated rumors - about layoffs, especially. You are toying with people's mental well-being, their careers and their lives. If you can't prove it to Jim, please shut up.
ReplyDeleteIn keeping with what the rest of the Gannett employees are getting, no raises and maybe 1.5% bonus, shouldn't Graig's bonus be more like 18,000?
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ReplyDelete9:39,
ReplyDeleteWho do you know who got a bonus??
Forgive me for being ignorant...
ReplyDeletebut what does it mean to vote no on the board?
What happens if enough shareholders vote against the board? Do we not have a board? Is there a competing slate?
10:18 am: You're not ignorant; you're inquisitive!
ReplyDeleteI've been a business journalist more than 23 years, and I've never considered that possibility. I don't have an answer. Anyone?
9:33 A.M. – If this is the only place where you are hearing rumors of more layoffs, etc. then I suggest you tune in more to what is being said at your paper, including learning more about on-going revenue declines.
ReplyDeleteAnd, frankly, given that Dubow and others have routinely shared that they will keep expenses in-line with revenues (Furloughs the latest confirmation) you can be sure that more savings will be sought as revenue declines.
Like it or not, people advance what they know and/or what they think know here. In part to keep others informed, but in this environment it’s more than likely that they are seeking to confirm information to stay ahead of events else they’ll feel like sheep.
St cloud MN update. Ms. Jean Healy Hr came in for 3 days from sioux falls as we have no HR. Not sure why she came as she doesn't leave the office. Not very good at her job. Our publisher and few managers were on furlough this week. Publisher did not have to give up the compnay car for a week however. One accounting person was escorted out of the building and all her responsibilities have been given to her sister who also works in that department. The prepress manager had his job taken away and is now a spec builder. Two spec builders for one area. We still have more assistants then sales on the street and more managment then we can ever imagine. Wow this is crazy. stay tuned.
ReplyDeleteI am sick to death of the unsubstantiated rumors - about layoffs, especially. You are toying with people's mental well-being, their careers and their lives. If you can't prove it to Jim, please shut up.
ReplyDelete3/21/2009 9:33 AM
How can they not lay more off. They have no choice. The highest expense for a paper is the employee's and news print. You take employee's out with benefits you remove expenses fast. I would say you are going to see a lot more layoffs. They need to drop a lot of dead weight they are carrying and don't seem to be doing this. You will see more layoffs toward November Decemeber again when they need to cut fast for the stock. My guess is they will unless the file bankruptcy.
If a majority of shareholders don't approve a new director, then they have to hold a new election or operate with a reduced board. I am in favor of a huge negative vote to send a message. Our puny holdings are swamped by institutional stockholders and the fund pools. But I suspect these institutions aren't happy with what is happening at GCI either, and also want change. It does happen from time to time when a director fails to get enough votes, usually in takeover battles.
ReplyDeleteI know for a fact that bonuses were given to some production people at the Newspaper Network of Central Ohio. I also think we are scheduled to make plan.
ReplyDeleteAs for the Monday announcement, not sure if it is true or not. Our publisher is on furlough this coming week.
I hope the furloughs are not true, it is starting to take a toll on morale when managers are getting bonuses and can afford to take vacations on furlough.
Hi 12:18...another laid off, NJ slave here.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to put things in perspective, look at it like this. Divide your annual salary by the number of hours you worked. OUCH!
I calculated it and realized my kid was making more money waitressing than I was working at Gannett. And...her benefits were BETTER than mine! Her's would have cost her $8.00 a week more than mine and her co-pays on meds and specialists was lower. She had dental and vision but I will admit, she didn't have life insurance.And...she was getting tuition reimbursement!? (Something I think GCI HAD but of course, who had time to attend classes?)
If you recently were fired, I'l offer forth a warning. WATCH YOUR BENEFITS like a hawk. Take notes on everyone you speak with. And don't rely on what HR or Hewitt/Caremark/BCBS tell you. Check the coverage benefits manuals yourself. They LIE.
I spoke with my boss before my furlough (starting tonight!) And he said there will be one week furlough and one week salary reduction. Details are now out yet, but everyone has been working on their plans.
ReplyDeleteThis is bad news. I am glad Dubow got a $875,000 bonus on top of his 1mm salary!!!
However you feel about Gannett, don't wait for that summons into the firing room before commencing with some serious career planning. Identify the businesses that can use your skills and call people there, not to ask for a job, but to discuss how they might be able to utilize someone like yourself. A lot of companies gather intelligence, on competitors, people and for class-action lawsuits, and reporters are naturally suited for this kind of work and don't necessarily need a PI license. A lot of companies have internal and external communications needs, like product/market assessments, newsletters and marketing, and copy editors bring a precision that those companies aren't accustomed to. News people are also quite suited to work with policy makers in government. You'd be surprised at how bureaucrats and elected officials love the idea of having an ex-reporter or government affairs editor on their staff to help with their media and constituent-services functions.
ReplyDeleteThese aren't necessarily permanent career changes. They could be, especially since many pay more than newspapers do. But they could be a good place to hole up until someone figures out how to make money on journalism again. Rewrite your resumes for eyes other than editors. Peel off that cozy newsroom cardigan and take someone to lunch who might want you in his or her organization.
Today, 2 people have said there will be another furlough AND salary reduction. What newspaper do you work at or at least in what city? Every time I ask this when I hear "rumors" no one responses. Why are you afraid to list your paper? We need more accountable resources/
ReplyDelete11:19 AM -- great post. Everyone should reread this a few times.
ReplyDeleteHere's a must-read on the future of journalism from Xark. Hang onto your hats... lots of skill upgrading and low pay (if any) ahead...
ReplyDeleteXark: What's next
There is no pay reduction coming. Pay freeze is more likely. Dubow said in the January web conference that another round of furloughs was likely in the second quarter but they couldn't do any after that. Monday would make sense for an announcement of an additional furlough so Gannett can use all 13 weeks of the 2nd quarter. Ignore anyone speaking with a voice of certainty. Those who know aren't saying; those who are saying don't know.
ReplyDeleteI'm a casualty of the December layoffs and yesterday I received my final severance check.
ReplyDeleteWhile it's been nice receiving the dual paychecks, (and the unexpected pension check...didn't even know I had one! I have to say it' also pretty nice to finally have the "cord cut."
I came from a "mom & pop" product that they purchased, and was slammed into the corporate Gannett environment without a clue of what that meant. Having witnessed it, I'm happy everyday to be back at the (same) mom & pop!
Today is my first I-have-nothing-to-do-with-Gannett day and so far I'm feeling pretty happy about that.
My word verification is egratify.
ReplyDeleteI believe the definition means to satisfy one's self by electronic means. i.e. GCI's egratification is killing its core product, newspapers.
I'm not sure that Gannett can't ask for pay cuts.Even so, furloughs essentially amount to the same thing if they are used repeatedly. No?
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ReplyDeleteHas anyone heard the rumor concerning reducing hours worked? I heard that hourly employees will go to 32 hours a week, and salaried employees will take a 5 percent pay cut. Anyone?
ReplyDelete1:24, you're right that a furlough is a pay cut. In my mind it's preferable to a straight salary reduction because you at least get time off. With a salary reduction, you're working the same hours with less pay. Neither is a good thing, obviously
ReplyDeletehttp://www.helium.com/items/912617-do-you-want-to-be-a-corporate-board-member
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ReplyDeleteI've just relocated two comments to the newly created Jersey Confidential Weekend edition. They make really good material for the New Jersey Group; they're just a little too local-local for general discussion.
ReplyDeleteAs always, however: the Jersey Group is A-OK in my book. Gannett Blog would not be as strong today if it weren't for you guys giving me a lift a year ago. You're always welcome in all comment threads on topics of a more general nature. So: Carry on, Jersey!
The pay reduction and the furlough are about 4% of the yearly payroll. There is no severance or any other payout under this plan - if you leave you leave with nothing. (There is also a 401K and benefits savings)Can anyone tell me what the yearly payroll is so we can see what the savings might be?
ReplyDeleteJim - Is your traffic down or are the advertisers just paying less for your eyeballs? My $20 is in the mail.
ReplyDelete1:30pm...
ReplyDeleteAt the paper I work at, all full time hourly employees were cut to 35 hours about a month ago.
The part time employees have all lost 5 hours as well.
Indianapolis confirmed one week furlough and one week salary reduction (they are saying it is temporary reduction in salary). So, instead of getting a two week furlough where we actually have the time off to look for a job, they are letting us take a one week furlough and the other week, we are expected to work for FREE!!!
ReplyDeleteBullshit Dickey & Kane!
3:48 pm -- Your numbers are correct if you annualize to a 52 wk work year. But on the books, if everyone takes a one week furlough in Q2, it's a 7 percent payroll savings over the 13 week period.
ReplyDeleteCutting hours, cutting salaries, more furloughs, whatever the do, these types of actions are encouraging attrition.
Obviously it's cheaper for people to get frustrated by pay reductions and leave on their own than it is to do layoffs and severance.
They are buying some time, but if not enough workers take the leap on their own, I would expect another round of layoffs and would anticipate that it would be a big one.
Heyt, 1:15, congrats, on cutting the tie-- can you give a hint about what work you found?
ReplyDelete5:48,
ReplyDeleteNot quite sure I buy part of your argument. There's nothing that says that a company has to offer severance pay when it lays you off.
12:58 -- Our salaries already have been frozen (I'm in McLean). So do you mean other Gannett pubs didn't have their pay frozen and now will? And what does that mean for those of us who already aren't getting any increase this year? Will we have to give up more money?
ReplyDeleteGannett, in a word, sucks.
ReplyDeleteSo are they going to screw us non-exempt types again by making us take our "furlough" one day per pay period while the exempts take it one week (vacation) at a time?
ReplyDeleteTo make it worse, they forced us to take the day off per pay period during the middle of the work week so we couldn't actually use the time off to do anything. I have a feeling they know I'd use a whole week with my actual vacation as a terminal leave...
Here's a kicker. I took my last day of furlough last week and they called me in to work overtime THIS week. And they want me to work 8 hours OT a week for the foreseeable future. How does THAT work into the furlough thing?
I'm on furlough this week, and I am absolutely using the time to look for another job. Every singe day. I simply cannot take this anymore. The stress of not knowing what the brain trust in Va. has in store for us, all to save their god damn bonuses and other perks, is taking its toll on me.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in college and opening my eyes to the world, I developed an intense distrust, bordering on hatred, of large corporations. That diminished somewhat over the years, but I have to say, my experiences over the past several years in this rotten company have brought me right back to where I was when I was 21. (Gannett's not the only company that feeds its elite off the backs of its workers).
I thought I could ride it out, but it's just too much now. The greed, the complete "me first" attitude of the corner office set, the absolute disregard of anything but their own bottom lines has killed whatever positive feeling I had for this company.
Maybe the grass will be just as slimy on the other side, but at least it will be different grass.
Why on earth would they MAKE you take your furlough one day at a time? In Lansing they gave us the option as to how we wanted to do it and worked it out with us. the only people who took it one day at a time were those who wanted to. You must have really cruel management. Not all Gannett Management wants their employees to suffer.
ReplyDeleteWhy on earth would they MAKE you take your furlough one day at a time?
ReplyDeleteNot only did they make us take it like that, they gave us no choice of what day of the week we could take the furlough. I had another part time temp job lined up but they refused to allow me to take the day off at the "edge" of the work week. They, in essence, said "screw you" and I lost any way to recoup the lost salary.
At my site, they did furloughs by seniority. The people who'd been around for ages got their picks. Everyone else had to fill in around them, which usually meant doing it a day at a time because the "seniors" had such huge chunks of time blocked off. If you were only there a year or two, you got screwed.
ReplyDeleteBut, then, this is probably what They want.... for us to be PO'd at each other for blocking out "our" time... instead of pissed at Them for fucking the company up so bad in the first place. So I try not to think about it too much.
Ok, so it's clear what's going on here. It's being left up to individual sites to MAKE THEIR GOALS. If St. Cloud has to cut people then they'll do it. If Cincinnati has to do another one week furlough AND a one week salary reduction, that's what they'll do. No sweeping cost-cutting announcements a la McClatchy, who lets everyone know what they're up to (and up against).
ReplyDelete"Just make your goals, people. Don't care how, but here are your tools: furloughs, weeks without pay, pay cuts, layoffs."
Although Gannett has pretty much been immune from outright paycuts. For now.
In Poughkeepsie, the non-exempt had the choice of taking a full week or doing day by day for the furloughs. The memo we got from the publisher spelled that out. No one was forced to take a either.
ReplyDeleteStill in all, it's created problems because there is never enough staff around to do the work.
A second week of furloughs will be hell, just simply hell. On many levels.
At might site, all employees were given a choice as to how to take their furlough days. And if you took them a week at a time you qualified for unemployment.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure of the legal issues -- particularly because I don't know what state you're in -- but it might be worth consulting with an attorney to see if you can actually be forced to break up the furlough days. It seems as though it would be legal, but there's an argument that you are being discriminated against since other Gannett sites are letting people pick and choose. That's one of the negatives of being a nationwide company. What you do in one state, can affect you in another legally. I'd at least make a phone call.
Rumor has it that it's going to be Sunday soon
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to announce that I, for one, enjoy my job and am happy to have it. I read with interest the comments here on the blog, but can't identify with many because I like my boss and the company. But until things turn around, I guess there will be discontent.
ReplyDelete