[Cue, scary music from that 1975 blockbuster]
I've just relaunched this special forum, for the six-paper New Jersey Group, after a reader said they need extra room for developing layoff news. Do not mess with Jersey! If any abused employees deserve their own forum, it's the folks who brought you last year's Poopgate!
Please post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write gannettblog[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the green rail, upper right.
As reported earlier today, Monday, the advertising director of the courier post in cherry hill new jersey was shown the door and her "departure" was announced on Monday morning. In her typical manner,the story was that she resigned and will spend the balance of the summer with her family and then will pursue some kind of business with a family member later in the year. She most likely was given the option of a face saving "resignation" and probably got some kind of buy out and pay out to get her the hell out.
ReplyDeleteThe advertising reps were broken into groups and met with their supervisors where the announcement was made. Certain 'supervisors' were very teary eyed during the announcement because their meal ticket was expired. Because of the nature of the culture at this horrible Gannett property others had to keep their complete joy inside themselves until the day ended. The many who were the pets of this advertising director looked like they'd seen a ghost on Monday. Why, because they don't have the protection they've had for oh so long where they're incompetence was covered over so this AD could remain encircled by people who would make her look good.
The time is here for a complete housecleaning in this department to get rid of those many who've had a free ride for many, many years. It's been disgusting to watch this 'special' group of groupies get away with being useless and unproductive while many good hardworking people lost their jobs. It is high time that the 'zone managers' who sit around the office all day get their due. These are the same ones who, instead of getting out on the street to generate revenue during these tough times engage in gossip, party planning, personal business and ass-kissing. Each of them need to be shown the door this week along with the ad department retail classified manager and the (supposed) #2 who is sneeky and who has trashed so many people for his own personal gain. It's unfortunate that these losers cannot be named here, but they will be identified when they are hopefully out of our hair. Hopefully, Jim, you will allow a posting of the names of those who get the axe later this week.
Tick tock, tick tock. Oh, my stomach.
ReplyDeleteI've been following this blog since its prominance came to light last year. And the revelation of the departure of the AD from Cherry Hill was a big YEAH! from me. Congrates on losing a looser! Now looking forward to the cleaning at the HNT/CN that ought to be some good reading during this week! I hope that my dear collegues there survive, for they are the good hardworking individuals. Again... Out with the lazy loosers! Keep the Real Workers!!!
ReplyDeleteVery quiet at the APP today. Many of those in charge were on floating holiday. Not alot of work in ADS. Too quiet. Oh the pain of it all! Waiting, hoping it's not me, you. Pure agony, either way. I hate waiting!!! Even if it's not me I still will be upset, because I really do loath this company. I really do. The place is alreay miserable and wll only get worse after this week. I feal torn... lose a good job of many years or continue working for a miserable corporation that does not care about the people they employee or the product they sell. Either way, it's a lose, lose.
ReplyDeleteBRING BACK JERSEY ROCKS HE KNOWS WHAT'S GOING ON.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see the face of one ad rep in particular who was not in yesterday when the AD news broke. I wonder if she will try to collect money for flowers. That soaks up a good 2 hours of work time if she puts her heart into it.
ReplyDeleteI hope Gannett does the right thing and bring someone in from outside the company to set them straight.
I don't understand; just how many supervisors were under the AD at the CP? They were broken up into groups? Why not one group announcement?
ReplyDelete7:34 AM is sooooo right. It's rumored that "flower lady" has actually asked to be "bought out" during this round because she knows that the jig is up and someone might demand that she do something for her pay. We heard that she was offered a buyout last year but turned it down so she could spend another couple of hundred or so hours at work planning various parties instead of bringing in the money to cover her heavy duty salary. Now "the witch" is gone and "flower lady" can only bitch to the publisher, but this publisher won't buy her flowers, or houses or anything...or will he? Does her friend from the Inquirer still have pull at the CP? Hmmmmm.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to my NJ friends in this next round.
ReplyDeleteyeah, we're screwed :\
ReplyDelete"NEW JERSEY ROCKS" is back ~Yes let the many NJ layoffs begin !! We all wonder how this company A.P.P. has survived this long .Its like a nightmare waiting for our jobs to end .We always find out whats going down MANY days before we are officially told AND ALOT OF THE TIME FROM THIS GANNETT BLOG ! as an example the "new" outsourced severence details .You think you been screwed alot already ??Everyone on the count of 3 bend down and touch your ankles.We are hearing unofficially that severence will now be given at the rate of 1 week for each year of service ---Minus unemployment benefits $$ you receive each week and the difference is your new severence amount $$ .Not screwed enough yet well stay in the bent down position because if you find a job before severence ends you are cut off totally ! Little guy gets it again !Im really hoping this is wrong for all of us being let go . I Enjoyed working with you Peggy .Hang in there !! NJR
ReplyDeleteDid anyone get official word on severance package from APP? A coworker emailed the useless HR dept the day dickeys email came in reference to the lack of info on severance but surprise, surprise, no response
ReplyDeleteWe all know that this is it for the CN/HNT. It's been a slow death and they have already fired so many of our friends. We know that no one is going to be saved in this massacre. Even those left behind will be totally unable to maintain a workload sufficient to save these horrid newspapers. As we look at each other for probably one last time the tears well up. Our lives have been ruined despite our best efforts.
ReplyDeleteAt one of the concentration camps, a sign proclaimed "Work Hard and Prosper." At the CN/HNT/APP they may as well have proclaimed the same cruel lie. We sadly remember all those who have gone before us as we prepare to join their ranks. Maybe, just maybe, we'll all meet again at the river! God bless, Shalom!
So any idea if that was the ENFORCER'S that were seen walking around the APP with a VP in tow
ReplyDeleteThe C.P. has 3 supervisors with 3 sales teams. They had to break them up in groups to tell them about the A.D. because 2 of the supervisors were her hand picked clones (one of which cried because she knows her protection is gone) that supervise the children that have replaced all the great sales reps that have left. The Classified Mgr. is a joke (another clone), maybe he can get a job juggling water bottles for the circus since that's all he does all day.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to all my friends at the C.P. & remember there is life after Gannett. Those of us who have gone in previous layoff/buyouts are surviving quite well without feeling like crap everyday by a company who could care less about it's employees or it's product.
Peggy - I wish you the best of luck. God knows you deserve it!!! I see good things finally happening for you now that your free of the gannett curse!! GOD BLESS YOU!!!!
ReplyDelete6:39 is not kidding at all. This is an accurate representation of the place..it is a circus and the hand selected (by the just fired AD) classified manager is a jerk with no idea at all about what he is supposed to do. The comment about him juggling bottles is the truth! Can you believe it??? Better believe it. It's true.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous at 6:43 pm on Tuesday posted the following:
ReplyDelete"I noticed at the CP parking lot that most of parking spot name signs have been removed, particularly the EE's, the AD's and the Publisher's. It's funny to see the "Info Center Awardee" and "Retail Advertising of the Month"(?) parking spot name signs are still there."
Well we all know the AD was shown the door, but publisher Lafferty and the bozo EE Mitchell were both around today. What's up with this? Joyce Gabriel former ME was seen in the CP building today. Very strange. Can anyone enlighten us?
Logging off 12:05am EST in NJ, where I live and perhaps still will be working whne I start my shift at 10am. Let you know... Till then. P.S. the APP is a scary place these days!
ReplyDeleteyeah app must be scary when vps need personal security... really makes ya wonder what exactly is goin' down in the morning!
ReplyDeleteHow ironic that the AD at the courier post is gone, when just a little under a year ago she had to fire her ex-husband . . . .ahh the tangled webs we weave . . .
ReplyDeleteAs someone said yesterday, perhaps now the best qualified person for the job in classified will finally get her day. Her not getting the appointment was a gross miscarriage . . . but on the bright side, perhaps it was meant to be this way.
I believe the former ME at CP was possibly visiting on business. I was told a month or two ago that she was working as a consultant for the County Democrats
ReplyDeleteBuilding news, you shitstains! Get with it! You've had months to come up with something, and now time is running out.
ReplyDeleteThe CN/HNT has been in a state of fear and trembling all day. The rumor that none of the editorial/news staff will be touched is incorrect according to one CN favorite who was featured prominently in the 125th anniversary section. Top editorial positions will be replaced to save money, increase morale and return quality to the papers. Brandon will probably be the youngest editor the CN has ever had! He knows it's not what you know but who you.....
ReplyDeleteGuess tomorrow is D day in NJ. Anybody have any info/rumors?
ReplyDeleteGotta luv the CP gang! How true, how true! Lardass juggling is great! And then there's ADs pets. How funny. Lost little sheep with no power anymore.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck to everyone at the Courier Post. Walk out of there with your heads held high.
ReplyDeleteRemember, they're the losers, not you!
It was a pleasure to have worked with such great people for so many WONDERFUL years before this group of idiots took over.
JM at APP was in meetings all day with (one guesses) JR. Heard their names paged throughout the day. (Guess the man across the footbridge in the tower) was summoning them! Many sense layoffs will happen on Thursday. For Dickey said: Your publisher or general manager will communicate the local plans, and we expect the vast majority of the reductions will take place by July 9. In a select few cases, the implementation may take longer.
ReplyDeleteHell, our publisher has not even communicated with us & our managers have not either! No followup letter of any sort from the man in the tower. At least the publisher at the HNT/CN sent a follow up letter last week about upcoming "restructoring" after the layoffs. Interesting. One says something and the other nothing. Non-communicating communications company! Luv it!!! NOT!
everything is quite around hnt/cn Everyone will be lookin for the gray hair lady in the morning.
ReplyDeleteThere was no cackling in Somerville today.
ReplyDeleteAnd no trail of fried chicken bones.
Today felt so very, very unnatural...
Word is that the CN/HNT will not be hit in the editorial/reporting departed. It is already decimated and staffed by the worst possible management. The actual reporters, now called satff writers, could not being doing any more for any less pay or cooperation.
ReplyDeleteThe real hits are coming in the advertising and ad services departments. Incompetent leadership and total lack of cooperation cannot be tolerated any longer. Bernita and a few others do a good job, but they can't carry the entire department. This is so sad and so unnecessary!
The thorn in everyone's side must go.
NJR why do you keep bringing up Peggy? Is there something you know that we don't?
ReplyDeleteCP ME was there for an editorial board meeting. She is a consultant to the county, working for the Democrats. Story followed in next day's paper. Ironic, but nothing to do with the layoffs.
ReplyDeleteYay, Gus!
ReplyDeleteAsbury Park just lost some long timers!! Lifers!
ReplyDeletewho who who
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ReplyDeletewhy are you removing comments?
ReplyDeleteAsbury just lost one of its best designers!
ReplyDeletePlease do not list names of people -- even by initials -- who you want to be laid off. That is cruel.
ReplyDeleteReally, now is not the time to take out your grudges. People's lives are hanging in the balance. Have some respect. It's hard for the ones leaving and hard for the ones letting them go. At least at this building.
ReplyDeleteCourier News just lost one of their best long time sales reps, Pete Farrell. What else is going on right now is anybody's guess.
ReplyDeleteWell that's a loss for CN. Pete was a great guy and a great salesman. Wishing him all the best,
ReplyDeleteHey Guys, I will be okay. Will miss all of you. For the record: APP/HNT 14 years, 48 yo, female, ADS dept. Great designer! ;) I'm sure a great crying jag will hit tonight or tomorrow, till then I'm okay. All those left: Hang in there, be strong! Get your resumes in order and any jpegs of any work you may have done. Please do that. I did. :) Need to get my resume in order now. Got alot to do with my future and my house! (those who know me, understand) Love you all and keep in touch!!
ReplyDeleteKathy PB
Pete, you are a great guy (I knew you way back before your advertising days). Best of luck to you. I was let go last year and can't understand why they always let the best ones go and keep the bottom of the barrel (teacher's pets I assume).
ReplyDeleteAdvt. Home News Tribune:
ReplyDeleteflo boese,minelva diaz,pete farrell,tammy silva where all let go this morning. Why are they getting rid of sales rep?and the do nothing manager is still in place?
Please don't tell me the gray haired HR lady survived again? What does she do? No one ever sees her except when there are layoffs. Maybe they are keeping her for future layoffs.
ReplyDeleteGannett Co. Inc. has eliminated 106 full-time and 19 part-time positions at its six newspapers in New Jersey due to the continued impact of the recession.
ReplyDeleteThe company began notifying the affected employees late Wednesday night and the notifications continued throughout Thursday at the Asbury Park Press, the Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, the Home News Tribune in East Brunswick, the Courier News in Somerville, the Daily Record in Parsippany and the Daily Journal in Vineland.
“We had hoped to avoid additional reductions in our workforce,” said Thomas M. Donovan, president and publisher of the Asbury Park Press and vice president of Gannett’s East Newspaper Group. “But, unfortunately, this recession is deep and severe. Advertising revenues have not rebounded and, as we looked at economic forecasts for the second half of 2009, we had to make further reductions.’’
Jersey group lost it's best IT person today. If you have a MAC and it needs a fixin, good luck.......
ReplyDeleteTo my friends at the Home News Tribune...fair well, do good work, and keep in touch. Jody Somers/Staff Photographer/9years/2mos/19days (approximately)
ReplyDeletehope you weren't thrown under a truck by the co-workers in your dept. oh wait, you were. good luck to you.
ReplyDeleteJody;
ReplyDeleteYou will be missed for sure, keep your chin up and great things will come your way.
Winnie,Donna,Phil,John and the rest of the new room folks you will be missed just as much.
Best wishes to all, and it was an honor and pleasure to work along side some of the best people in the business.
ms
The Courier-Post lost some excellent employees today from the newsroom, but far fewer than we had feared. The cuts are hitting bone.
ReplyDeletePete Farrell...Email Robin - Job Opportunity for a great sales rep!
ReplyDeleterobin3257@hotmail.com
Can anyone give details on the July 15th rumor of the NJ group finally being combined? It would make sense to do this at this time. Also, anyone else hear of rumors of a 10% pay cut across the board for remaining employees?
ReplyDeleteIs it me, or does it seem like women -- especially over-40 women -- get whacked disproportionately in the NJ group.
ReplyDeleteThe Gannett NJ always has been run by virtually all white men who are misogynistic asses on the floor, so I guess it is in keeping with their character.
Jody, as an editor who worked closely with you, I know there are better things ahead for you. You are a joy to work with an a great talent. Likewise, to PH, KC, WZ, BH and LS, all in Jersey.
ReplyDelete7:50 pm on July 9th said: "In NJ, not one fucking publisher, VP, director or manager let go!" At least one was dumped yesterday at the Courier-Post. It was the classified manager, a do-nothing, pompous guy appointed by the just removed advertising director. So, if you count these two at our paper, that's at least 2 at just this site.
ReplyDelete7:30 pm, who was the IT person? Initials will do.
ReplyDelete7:30 pm, who was the IT person? Initials will do.
ReplyDeleteIS person: DS
So sorry to hear that.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that in the wake of this weeks layoffs the 2 production managers for CN/HNT were left intact and now have only 3 people left to manage. Wonder if they will now be able to eliminate all the mistakes they usually make. No one to blame it on now. Won't take long for the skipster to realize his loyalties are misdirected.
ReplyDeleteYay, Guppy!
ReplyDelete"Yay, Guppy!".
ReplyDeleteThanks for that. I laughed when i saw it.
Jody
No prob dude! You sure made me laugh many a time.
ReplyDeleteSwim guppy, swim! Be free!