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Tuesday, June 21, 2011
145 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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Why didn't USA Today have this riot Romeo story? It's all over the Web and on the front page of the NYT:
ReplyDeletehttp://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/43461996
New GM named in Murfreesboro:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dnj.com/article/20110621/BUSINESS/106210310/Russell-named-DNJ-general-manager?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|p
Can we get a confirmation on the layoffs in Indy? My contact there said she hadn't heard anything about it.
ReplyDeleteWell,
ReplyDeleteMaybe today or tomorrow there will be a huge amount of stress that will no longer be part of so many employees.Maybe there can finally be the day, although dreaded for a long time, that employees can be free of the Gannett stranglehold.I hear of lot of whining here ,such as, please God don't let it be me who gets laid off.How can you possible still want to work for Gannett.I do not understand how you could not be happy to start your life away from Gannett and get paid unemployment!For 99 weeks ! You can get paid to start a new life,a life where you don't dread getting up and going to work ,what more could you ask for!
Please explain this to me .Why you would rather whore yourself to make a profit for the money mongers at Gannett? How does Gannett have this hold on you? Do you not have a bit of self esteem left,do you not have a bit of self confidence left in your body? Do you not believe that you are employable by anyone besides Gannett? Sorry to be harsh but there is life away from Gannett!
8:11am
ReplyDeleteHave your source talk to the classified manager.
8:46 Big mistake. Someone good in classified sales in this climate of cutbacks would excel if transferred to retail sales, etc., IMO
ReplyDelete8:13am - This is the kind of whining and negativity that too often permeates this blog. It's called "work" for a reason. I come every day because they pay me for my efforts. Ultimately that's all they owe me. The "Leave it to Beaver" world of yesteryear is long gone. Unfortunately the new reality is as follows:
ReplyDeleteIF companies do well, you have a job and are treated well - if they do not do well, you can be sure of layoffs and stress. Fact is, we as a company are not doing well. So there is no evil conspiracy in play here, just the realities of today's world.
9:20 writes: "If companies do well, you have a job and are treated well -- if they do not do well, you can be sure of layoffs and stress."
ReplyDeleteI believe the concern expressed by many readers here is that those layoffs never hit members of the Gannett Management Committee, led by CEO Craig Dubow.
I'd pay $2.37 to be free of the stress of people like 8:13 reminding me there are other employers out there and it's my own damn fault for not taking the leap out of here.
ReplyDeleteSo after you make your morning contribution to punctuation, coherent organized thought and the well-being of current Gannett staff, do you wander over to the old age home and berate the seniors for complaining about their pains? After all, if they'd just die already they'd be happier, and it's their own fault for living so long.
Nobody needs the you bluebirds of happiness to remind them of their situation. Most of us are fully aware of our place in the world, and those who aren't? They're happy not knowing.
8:13 posts here daily and has been useless on a daily basis. Also, I realize unemployment payments aid a transition, but if your goal is to get them for all 99 weeks, then you should raise your standards.
ReplyDeleteYou think editors on print and the non journos on line know a news story at usa today? Since when?
ReplyDeleteReports of 15 layoffs in Cincinnati newsroom today.
ReplyDeleteJim - Good point but the reality is that those at the top of all corporations (incl Gannett) lose their positions almost as frequently as those in the middle and the bottom. What is different, and what is inexcusable, is that they almost invariably leave with a golden parashute to cushion their fall. The only parachute that the rest of us have is a meager unemployment check.
ReplyDeleteWhat positions in Cincy, anyone know?
ReplyDelete"I believe the concern expressed by many readers here is that those layoffs never hit members of the Gannett Management Committee, led by CEO Craig Dubow."
ReplyDeleteActually, Jim, it's that Dubow and Co. not only aren't negatively impacted or made to make sacrifice, it's that they have reaped obscene personal gain BECAUSE of the downturn and staff cost cutting.
Hence their smug expressions. Have you ever laid eyes on Dubow and Hunke? I have, and I've tried to square their self-satisfied smirks with the sorrows they've caused. It's a fairly sickening sight.
ReplyDeleteAt Cincinnati, Mark Ivancic out as Kentucky editor. They are calling it a "retirement." Ha!
ReplyDeleteSincere gratitude and apologies to those who lost their job this week. I've been there. It's tough. But, life goes on. And, actually, when forced to look for something else I found something much better. Here's to hoping the same occurs for all of you.
ReplyDeleteHigh noon in Gannett land. 700 layoffs in the USCP.
ReplyDeleteThe fat lady is singing.
ReplyDeleteDear fellow News-Press employees:
ReplyDeleteAttached is a letter from our US Community Publishing Division President, Bob Dickey. It addresses the fact that there will be some additional layoffs necessary at most of our newspapers including The News-Press. We will begin to notify those employees directly impacted immediately and expect to be completed within the next few hours. Your Operating Committee member will have a departmental meeting once all their employees have been notified.
I want to stress that the job reductions are not a reflection on these employees or their work. We truly value their many contributions and thank them for their efforts over the years.
We are financially solid, but reductions are necessary to keep our cost structure in line with current economic realities as we continue to build our business back. I will be around if you'd like to share thoughts on structures or just want to talk.
Thank you for your patience and dedication.
Matt
Where is My Boss? Not in the loop?
ReplyDeleteFormer Gannett (for like, a wink of an eye) and I just got the email from an insider that said 700 for sure. Chops are starting at Florida Today this afternoon.
ReplyDeleteLayoffs in Louisville today?
ReplyDeleteI hear layoffs at The Tennessean. Details?
ReplyDeleteI'm also hearing more layoffs here in Asheville!
ReplyDeleteFive jobs cut in Clarksville, including 2 already vacant positions.
ReplyDeleteTo: All US Community Publishing employees
ReplyDeleteFrom: Bob Dickey
As we reach the mid-point of the year, the economic recovery is not happening as quickly or favorably as we had hoped and continues to impact our U.S. community media organizations. We have made continued progress on the many initiatives underway to seek new sources of revenue, build a world class sales force and better serve our customers through watchdog reporting and stronger Sunday newspapers. While we are seeing improved circulation results and audience growth, weakness in the real estate sector, slow job creation and now softer auto ad demand continue to challenge revenue growth in the division.
National advertising remains soft and with many of our local advertisers reducing their overall budgets, we need to take further steps to align our costs with the current revenue trends. Each of our local media organizations faces its own market conditions, challenges and opportunities. Therefore, it has been up to each local publisher to determine his or her unique course of action.
While we have sought many ways to reduce costs, I regret to tell you that we will not be able to avoid layoffs. Accordingly, approximately 700 employees within USCP, or about two percent of our company’s overall workforce, will be let go. Publishers will notify people today and we will make every effort to reach everyone by end of day. It is important to note that these decisions do not reflect individual performance and we thank and respect those employees for their work. We will do everything we can to help them and to minimize the impact on our other employees going forward. In an effort to reduce the number of people being let go, there will be furloughs in the coming months but they will be limited only to those on the USCP corporate payroll who make over a certain salary. You will be notified by your publisher if you are among this group.
What about the Mississippi paper?
ReplyDeleteWhat were the 5 jobs cut in Clarksville?
ReplyDeleteNashville?
ReplyDeleteWhy does it seem the money-losing pit in Detroit never seems affected by this? They lose, by far, the most money in the company, yet no layoff announcements and corporate keeps moving their incompetent leaders to USA Today to do more damage!
ReplyDeleteThe five positions cut in Clarksville were a vacant visual journalist position and an office job in Dover. The other three will be notified before the end of today.
ReplyDeleteHow many at Florida Today?
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to those impacted by this massive cut. Matt at News-Press says "we are financially solid". Is that the News-Press or Gannett? This move doesn't seem to be one a financially solid company would have to make.
ReplyDeleteDo you think Careerbuilder.com is seeing a spike in traffic at this time?
ReplyDeleteWhen companies do well, everyone keeps their jobs. When companies do poorly, highly paid management keeps their jobs. Horrible.
ReplyDeleteWhat is going on in the NJ Group??
ReplyDelete700 layoffs yet there are tons of jobs posted on careerbuilder? WTF is that about?
ReplyDeleteYou layoff the high paid experienced workers and hire new employees at half the salary...
ReplyDeleteLouisville: one reporter so far
ReplyDelete3 so far at Florida Today
ReplyDeleteNO ONE should show up to work the rest of the week. Then what would the Crystal palace do?
ReplyDeleteGannett's corporate culture of financially rewarding upper management for scummy tactics goes back eons ... during my time upper managers got bonuses for hiring anyone who could be classified a minority. And unfortunately it seemed as if greed via the bonus was sometimes a greater motivator than hiring a qualified person. Diversity is about doing the right thing -- it should not require a cash incentive.
ReplyDeleteLouisville: tally at three reporters, one assistant news editor
ReplyDeleteIf you are over 40 and are laid off to bring in new (cheap) blood, please speak to an employment attorney about an age discrimination lawsuit. It's illegal and you should force the company to pay dearly for it.
ReplyDeleteIn Wilmington: Assistant Managing Editor. Photo Editor. News Clerk.
ReplyDeleteIn Lafayette, Indiana 5 employees are being let go, according to newsroom memo. Not sure which departments.
ReplyDeleteFrom Publisher Leslie Hurst at the Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Miss.:
ReplyDeleteEveryone,
Please review the attached letter from Bob Dickey, president of
Gannett's USCP division. He refers to a reduction in force (RIF) that
will take place at some USCP locations today. Unfortunately, The
Clarion-Ledger Media Group is in the group that will be initiating a
RIF. All of the affected employees will be notified today. It is
important to me that this be done in a short window to minimize anxiety
and uncertainty.
Please know that the Operating Committee and I feel very deeply the
anxiety and pain this causes the entire workforce, not only those
affected but those who have worked with them side by side. I understand
how incredibly hard this is, and that it affects people's lives and
families. We will do all that we can to help those affected employees,
including offering a transitional pay package.
This has been a challenging year, as you all know. We do, however, have
a strategy to build revenues as we mentioned in our employee meeting a
month ago. We will continue to focus on our 2011 Operational Plan (see
strategic goals posted around the building) and the local controllable
business that we can impact.
We will continue to work our plan to improve revenues and I hope that
all of you will take to heart the strategic objectives of the
organization and work toward that end. We are in this together. I
appreciate everything that each of you does each and every day to make
The Clarion-Ledger Media Group the No. 1 media company in the market.
I hope that after you absorb the information about the RIFs, you will
re-read the strategic objectives and feel good about the direction in
which we are headed. The RIFs are unfortunate, but we must position
ourselves to remain strong and relevant into a long future.
Please know that your colleagues affected today are not being let go for
any performance issue; we must restructure to align our costs with
current revenue trends. I sincerely thank them for their hard work and
dedication. They will be missed.
- Leslie
There will likely be up to 35 in Louisvile, many from the newsroom.
ReplyDeleteIs no one keeping tally? The spreadsheet has virtually nothing on it. Waiting for something more official from each place, Jim?
ReplyDeleteWhat is happening in the Phoenix newsroom? And what about Channel 12? Any info would be appreciated.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
5 so far for Florida Today
ReplyDeleteThere will likely be up to 35 in Louisvile, many from the newsroom
ReplyDeleteThere will be double that amount in Louisville. Maintenance, and Two EA's as well as the newsroom have been hit already.
Springfield laid off 3 people: metromix producer , sports editor and an unknown person in the newsroom. They are also eliminating 2 vacation positions: a photographer and the social media editor.
ReplyDelete""NO ONE should show up to work the rest of the week. Then what would the Crystal palace do? ""
ReplyDeleteWe call that Fridays.
Wow. Why is Louisville getting hit so hard?
ReplyDeleteLouisville's newsroom has been largely untouched by many of the recent layoffs. Shocking really. They have about one editor for every reporter. Was bound to catch up eventually.
ReplyDeleteIt is horrific right now at the Des Moines Register in the newsroom. People being escorted out of the building. Reporters, photographer, two editors, others.
ReplyDeleteSpringfield, 2 Pre-Press positions
ReplyDeleteLouisville needs to get rid of Garson talking about a huge waste of salary.
ReplyDelete8:13is either a corporate lackey plant or a 25year old $30g reporter that should be doing a weather localizer. (3rd day folo for those readers who really care about well planned hard news without looking out the window.)
ReplyDeleteI understand there are good reasons for doing this kind of layoff promptly. But this just seems savage: the bomb drops with no warning and within two hours people are being escorted out of the building. That's just inhumane.
ReplyDelete@John Reiman-I think it's more inhumane to tell employees there will layoffs and let them stew for weeks wondering if they'll be losing their jobs.
ReplyDeleteThe unemployment line is what's within reach now. Maybe that's where my boss is?
ReplyDelete@2:52 -- Isn't that pretty much every week while working at Gannett?
ReplyDeleteIt's also inhumane to not disclose how many are coming at each site - everyone is on edge.
ReplyDeleteIn other news, GCI up 0.41 cents on the day. Wall Street seems happy with the layoffs.
ReplyDeleteThe GM at Cherry Hill is missing?
ReplyDeleteDickey's certainly earning his bonus today!
ReplyDelete2:37. Any idea who the two editors are at DM? I was laid off in '08 but have a good friend hanging in there. I hope she's still hanging in there by the end of this day.
ReplyDeleteHear that Louisville layoffs include some from Velocity and Neighborhoods.
ReplyDeleteAny details on the breakdown by department there?
To those laid off today, there is life ahead of you. Trust me. I was in your position earlier this year, but could not be happier than I am now. I enjoy my job, my boss and the people I work with. I don't miss the Gannett newsroom hacks who suck up to management, scheme to protect their jobs and would push colleagues in front of an oncoming subway train to save themselves. No one says it is going to be easy, but your anxiety will diminish every day until your time at Gannett doesn't matter any longer.
ReplyDeleteGood luck all.
initials of editors in DM: VA and DB and now two photographers
ReplyDeleteOn a lighter note, the news-press has started a morale improvement committee!
ReplyDeleteInitials of DM photogs??
ReplyDeleteThe Courier-Journal's only black reporter laid off. The lack of diversity of the news staff is embarassing.
ReplyDelete8 so far in Florida Today
ReplyDeleteAny digital people laid off in DM?
ReplyDeleteRumor on the street has 12 newsroom staffers at Arizona Republic, including yours truly.
ReplyDelete3:22, you are kidding right? A morale improvement committee! Please tell me that is a joke. Who is going to run said committee? The people that are announcing the layoffs?
ReplyDeleteAlright team lets all look at the bright side: You are alive, You have a job (snickers "for now"), You work at a World Class media company. Now get out there with your 1990's laptops and blackberrys to cover your beats/territories.
Word is that Louisville has done away with Velocity entirely, though it's unclear how many of its staff were moved elsewhere.
ReplyDelete3:42 PM Best wishes to you and all those who who lost your jobs today. It is not something anyone wants to go through but please know there are many others like you. I am one of them who lost their job last year and I hope things get better soon for all of us.
ReplyDeletehttp://people.forbes.com/profile/robert-j-dickey/125549
ReplyDeleteThe Dickey dude sure makes a lot of money.
To those whom were laid off, I feel your pain!
ReplyDeleteBe strong and remember to get all of your 401k and Pension money!
At this stage in the 4+years of RIF. It would be very helpful to gather positions eliminated. A poster alluded to this earlier. It would be very helpful in forecasting future developments.
ReplyDeleteNoticing comments on rgj.com complaining about the news coverage. I posted a comment rebutting that there is no staff left. Wonder if the online guy will approve it...
ReplyDeleteSt. Cloud? Anyone?
ReplyDeleteThe morale improvement committee is no joke. Veteran reporters are baling like rats from a sinking ship. Several have gone to businesses started by former reporters ( including a local weekly). No raises in years. They decided a morale improvement initiative was the ticket. One person won't be on the committee is the long-time beloved cartoonist. He was laid off today as kind of a final brisk slap in the face to both the staff and the paper's readers.
ReplyDelete@6/21/2011 3:42 PM:
ReplyDeleteAre you a reporter or editor or photog at the Republic? And is channel 12 counted in the tally, or is there a separate list for them? Any high-level managers on the list?
I am so sorry. I am still out of work, and it is horrible out there. I wish you and all the rest the best.
Here in Asheville we just posted 2 circulation jobs one for an Asst. District Manager part-time and a part-time dock worker. People in this company are being laid-off and we are hiring in Asheville. We already are top heavy in management, someone should look at some of those positions including our so called publisher.
ReplyDeleteThese are newspaper cuts only, not TV.
ReplyDelete8:13, it's easy to be critical of folks who continue to stay, but not everyone hates Gannett the way you and I do and of the ones who do, trying to figure out how to get out is not easy. I agree that life after Gannett is better. I left Gannett four years ago -- before the layoffs began -- for a small company that was Gannett in miniature. I learned from my Gannett experience and when things deteriorated at the "new" place, I came up with a way to get out. But it took me nearly a year to figure out how to do it and it has not been without great risk.
ReplyDeleteMaking a huge jump like that isn't something everyone is capable of doing. Criticizing them for not doing it is wrong.
about 30 let go so far in Westchester...
ReplyDeleteI wonder how many of these jobs could have been saved if executives across the company refused bonuses and raises. It would be easy to calculate if we knew total bonuses and average earnings per employee.
ReplyDeleteWhat about people at properties in a JOA with Gannett -- like Tucson. Gannett axed the Citizen and pretty much runs the Star since Lee Enterprises can't seem to keep its corporate ship afloat. Any speculation?
ReplyDeleteThis is the same thing that has been going on at McClatchy for three years....welcome to the party.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences....
I thought Singleton was bad. Gannett and Singleton belong in the Hall of Shame. Bob (is a) Dickey: What a loser. The only reason he got his job was that Palm Springs was the only game in town and they made 40 percent profit margin. Any nimrod could have pulled that off. Gannett sucks.
ReplyDeleteWe're closing in on the end of the second quarter -- and for some, the fiscal year. Could be lots more coming at other newspaper companies, not just this A-bomb that went off today. Lean Dean is on the clock.
ReplyDeleteThere were at least 5 people in Louisville KY in circulation alone - AND THEY ARE NOT FINISHED YET.
ReplyDeleteThe Grim Reaper Garson out in full force today in Louisville.
ReplyDeleteWhat needs to be done is what Scripps did with the Rocky Mountain News. Just go into the ultimate fetal position and board it up and quit. It's much better that way.
ReplyDeleteCincinnati (so far)
ReplyDeleteLaid off:
Charlie Brewer, Dave Hofmeister, Eileen Kelley, Lori Kurtzman, Peggy O'Farrell, Janinne Thompson
"Retired":
Mark Ivancic
Louisville - 10 in Circulation confirmed
ReplyDeleteOf the nine I know who were laid off in Cincinnati, six were in their 50s, many of them in their late 50s. Combine that with those let go in February and you're looking at 12 people in their 50s, three in their 40s and one in their 30s. Yet, they've still recently hired or switched much young and much cheaper folks around, particularly online.
ReplyDeleteIs there an age discrimination issue here? I think so. It would be very beneficial to all involved that in addition to numbers from gannett sites people were also able to provide the ages of those laid off.
Has Cincy terminated anyone from its weekly newspapers or is it just focusing on far higher paid daily employees?
ReplyDeleteAdd Cindy Kranz, Ron Liebau and Jewell Walston. Liebau and Walston are both on vacation. Enjoy your time off huh? What a class company.
ReplyDeleteCincinnati (so far)
ReplyDeleteLaid off:
Charlie Brewer, Dave Hofmeister, Eileen Kelley, Lori Kurtzman, Peggy O'Farrell, Janinne Thompson, Jewel Walston, Barrett Brunsman, Karen Andrew, Ron Liebau
"Retired": Mark Ivancic
Also, 8-9 people in advertising.
Absolutely should talk to an employment attorney If over 40 and laid off. This is patently illegal. Without going into more detail believe me when I tell you I know what I'm talking about. This type of salary cap housekeeping has been ruled illegal in case after case. It could finally be what brings these self serving morons to their knees. Unlike the WA mart decision this could even achieve class action because it deals with one allegation; the termination of older workers as a cost cutting move. Flat out illegal
ReplyDelete"Enjoy your time off huh? What a class company."
ReplyDeleteYes, Gannett should have waiting until they were back from vacation to notify them. geee
4:41 PM If this is indeed true, do we need to compile a list of all employees 50+ that were laid off the past few years? Do we all hire our own lawyers or can we hire a lawyer to represent us as a group?
ReplyDeleteI just got laid off. Age 51. What makes me mad is it was seniority-based, but I have more seniority than most people. I had the least seniority in a weekly "editor" position.
ReplyDeleteClass acts like 4:35 PM (second post) described just ooze from Cincinnati...the VP of editorial during the last round went on vacation leaving his termination work to others.
ReplyDeleteOne has to wonder how low head count has to go before the publisher stops using an ever shrinking staff to fuel her car and pamper any other personal need she has.
was laid off in Cincy today- only 2FT & 2PT people left in call center. who will answer the phones? Maybe they will "demote" people who are related to others or people who just wander around looking for a desk, to help out. It was a good run and I will miss all of my friends (amazing people) at the 312. Good luck to all!
ReplyDeleteThe Cincinnati weekly (CiN Weekly) was phased out a few layoffs ago.
ReplyDeleteWhy are people targeting the executives being given the bonuses and raises and not the people giving them? Who is going to turn down bonuses of hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars? Would you?
ReplyDeleteThe issue isn't Dickey, it's Dubow and the board.
4:41, is there a time limit on that sort of suit. I was laid off in Sept. '08 at age 55. I know several others - many others - over 50 then and now laid off. The interesting thing is with a reduction in force you are saying that you do not need the work that those people provide. So you can't layoff a clerk - for example - and then hire an administrative assistant to do the same work.
ReplyDeleteSomeone should be keeping tabs on how the work left behind is getting done. Much of that will be centralized at the hubs. But I bet there's a lot of doubling up on jobs by those left behind.
@ 4:51 PM -- Were you the highest paid person in that lot? If you transferred from the daily chances are you were.
ReplyDeleteRe:age discrimination suit. The key is to establish a pattern. So using this forum to gather a list that includes age. And age as it relates to a percentage of the whole would be most helpful. You would then be best served by taking that info to a major employment law firm in NYC or dc for advise. If it can be proven (and I don't think there is any doubt it can - corporate has proven time and again it is not the center of any great intelect) that the company is systemically eliminating those over 40 for any reason ( including salary) all that would be left is to determine actual and punitive damages and to secure the likely resignations of all those involved at the corporate level.
ReplyDelete4:54…You do realize Cincinnati still has 26 weekly newspapers in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky right? (Plus, CIN evolved into MetroMix)
ReplyDeleteMany people on the weekly staff make less than their daily peers which is likely why most, if not all of them, will be safe. That is, with this round anyway.
anyone have names from Louisville? Heard it was a complete bloodbath in the newsroom and a LARGE number of their minorities...
ReplyDeleteMany veterans gone in Phoenix too.
ReplyDelete@5:06 The Community Press was starting reporters WITH bachelor's degrees out at $22k a few years ago...
ReplyDelete8 to 10 gone in cherry hill
ReplyDeleteReminder:
ReplyDeleteIf you are a current Gannett employee, regularly foward all non-proprietary files you might need in your future life -- sources, phone numbers, important e-mails, colleagues contact info, performance evaluations -- to your private e-mail. Once axed, most Gannetteers are not allowed to forward any files.
Six in Lansing that I'm aware of. Four are above 50 for sure.
ReplyDeleteSports columnist in Des Moines axed.
ReplyDeleteJust saw that Insider in Roch got the axe. Anyone know about Juice in Des Moines?
ReplyDeleteThe key to winning an age discrimination suit is to prove that you were laid off because of a bias against people 40 and over. Salary or wage has nothing to do with it. Laying off high-earning employees because of budget constraints is not age discrimination but a valid employment decision. That said, everyone on the above list who was laid off at The Enquirer except one is over 40 thus protected by the ADEA. There is a doctrine known as "disparate impact" under which recovery is theoretically possible. If the result of a layoff is that all or most of the victims of an adverse employment decision were 40 or over they can recover damages if they can point to a company policy that although not facially discriminatory is discriminatory in fact. There is a possible class action here. But it would be a tough hurdle because the plaintiffs must overcome the company's claim that jobs were eliminated to cut payroll. As long as the person subject to the adverse employment decision isn't replaced by someone under 40, the company probably would survive a challenge to the layoff. Another thought: in Cincinnati Gannett also owns Community Press weekly papers. So it can simply put someone from one of those papers in the daily Enquirer reporter slot and use the copy for both papers (the daily and the pertinent weekly) without replacing the lost position at The Enquirer. If that is the case there probably can be no recovery for age discrimination. If a company has two employees who can do the same job and choses to lay off the one with the higher salary, that may not be age discrimination. The employment decision was based on salary, not age. Of course, a challenge may result in a settlement.
ReplyDelete5:25. Yup. I was one of them.
ReplyDeleteLayoffs in Springfield newsroom obviously targeted experienced, higher paid -- and, interesting from a legal standpoint, older -- veterans. There ought to be a law. Maybe there is...
ReplyDeleteNo wonder Kate Marymont, the alleged corporate vice president for news, is a no-show lately. I, too, would be ashamed of collecting a fat paycheck while presiding over the gutting of newsrooms, including firing people who helped her get to where she is today. Shame, shame, shame!
ReplyDelete8:13, it's easy to be critical of folks who continue to stay, but not everyone hates Gannett the way you and I do and of the ones who do, trying to figure out how to get out is not easy. ......
ReplyDeleteMaking a huge jump like that isn't something everyone is capable of doing. Criticizing them for not doing it is wrong.
Well said, 8:13. Colleagues who are desperate to keep their jobs in spite of poor management, useless/ abusive bosses, furloughs, greedy execs etc may not be wimps. Maybe they need the job because they have a sick spouse or child who cannot change insurance plans, or a spouse who has been laid off, or a house close to foreclosure, or is a single parent who is doing the best s/he can. Of course, they would like to work for decent, intelligent people at a job that doesn't pay them for 37.5 hours a week and work them for 60. They may not have the luxury of leaving. Don't judge colleagues.
Re Cincy: Add an Emmy-winning video producer and two photogs to the mix of layoffs
ReplyDelete@5:56 Which ones? Names?
ReplyDeleteStacy Doos, Ernie Coleman, Amie Dworiecki
ReplyDeleteIf you're over 50 you can try to get a lawyer. There aren't a lot lawyers who do employment law these days. These corporations have the layoff process down to a fine art. The lawyer is also not terribly motivated anyway because the chances of getting paid are not good. After all, you're unemployed.
ReplyDeleteIf you accept the severance agreement you sign a document waiving your right to sue the company. Now, there have been cases where such agreements have been voided because the employee was found to be under duress when they signed the document. In the old days the company would get a person in a room and say "sign this by close of business today or you get nothing".
They get around that now by giving the employee some time to sign the agreement. That's when you need to consult the lawyer. They know that and they plan for a certain number of people getting lawyers.
Having said that, sometimes if you get a lawyer and the lawyer writes one of those lawyer letters you might get a slightly better severance package. I know someone who did this successfully for about $2500 in legal fees.
The only way to have a chance to get a large settlement is to refuse to sign the severance agreement and go fight it out in court. If you decide to do this, be ready for it to take literally years. There is a very, very good chance that you will lose. These layoffs are managed by HR consulting firms who are experts on the laws for your state. They know how to document things and they know how to create a layoff pool that doesn't look like it's based on age.
I am so sorry for all of you. The best thing to do is move on and try to keep you head held high. This is not your fault. You are not a bad employee or person.
20 laid off in Wilmington. Newsroom editor, photo editor, news desk assistant, three administrative assistants - one in IT, one in prepress, one in publisher's office; two in prepress, SPARK designer, three in circulation, Niche publication manager, two outside sales reps, one design and support services employee, one in online. Three still unaccounted.
ReplyDeleteSeverance? So 2008.
ReplyDeleteCommunity Press weeklies didn't replace 3 full-time editorial assistants within the last year.
ReplyDelete@6:49 The daily side at the Enqy has had the same thing happening. I doubt those positions will count against the layoffs. Appears they were hunting for fresh meat this round.
ReplyDelete@6:49, the Community Press wasn’t making its numbers, hence Buchanan said no.
ReplyDelete@7:03, the absence of any noteworthy terminations on the community weekly side easily suggests the “fresh meat” Washburn and Buchanan were looking for was of the Kobe beef grade; i.e. costliest staff.
So, with all due respect to those on the weekly side of which I’m a fan...If much of what they wrote wasn’t suitable for publication in the daily before (many great reasons why), then does apparently succumbing to it now really make sense? Doubtful, which says MB and CW made truly shortsighted decisions at best. Then again, Gannett’s suits excel at making decisions like those…exactly why Gannett finds itself in the mess it is in today.
Corporate paychecks think their decisions will bring better days, not accepting the diminishing role of newspapers they hasten.
ReplyDeletePer the news director. Sounds like a retirement to me.
ReplyDeleteNewsroom staff:
After 15 years at the Enquirer, Mark Ivancic has decided that it's time to retire. His last day is Friday.
In his time here, Mark has been one of this newsroom's most able leaders, and a great friend to many. By my count, he's held at least six jobs in those 15 years: Starting as Business Editor before moving to the news desk, the metro desk, and for the last 3 years he's been Editor of the Kentucky Enquirer. His impact will be long felt. He's been confidant and coach to many of us. That we're even the least bit organized, we owe much to systems set up by Mark.
Mark and his wife, Becki, are excited about making a move to Bradford, Pa. We wish them both the best.
Mark would like to get out of here with as little attention as possible, but if we can convince him to let us toast to his future on the way out, we'll let you know a time and place.
And now, I am pleased to share this good news: Dave Niinemets, who has been assistant Kentucky editor for 5 1/2 years, has been named Kentucky Editor, effective immediately.
To describe Dave as an assistant editor in that time doesn't really do him justice: Dave has been the glue that held the Kentucky team together through a series of changes and re-focusing. He is well equipped to lead the team in this next phase. I’m counting on all of you to support his efforts on behalf of our Kentucky digital and print readers.
Julie
It really sucks about the layoffs.....what about the higher up people? i do not see them getting laid off or taking pay cuts. i bet if you got rid of maybe about 2 or 3 of them that would save a ton of money....how about that.
ReplyDelete