Thursday, April 05, 2012

Buyouts | Please post your latest news here

Gannett sites weighed hundreds of buyout applications after Corporate extended offers to 665 eligible employees in February. This week, management has been announcing who made the final cut.

What's the latest buyout news where you work? Please check my read-only spreadsheet for the latest figures, then post your replies in the comments section, below.

172 comments:

  1. 4 of the 10 eligible in Shreveport requested a buyout. 3 are from Info Center. Waiting to see what Corporate says. The waiting is hard for staff, gut-wrenching for those who must wait on Corporate.

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  2. Eight of 11 who were offered buyouts in The Clarion-Ledger newsroom applied to take them. Not sure about the one from another department. Just waiting to see how many will be accepted.

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  3. Yes, 10:12, but Corporate wouldn't have it any other way. I absolutely hate this company - love my paper - but hate the company. I hate what it did to me and hate what it is doing to the few remaining in The (Shreveport) Times newsroom who had 30+ years of service. When the three in the newsroom walk out the door in a couple of weeks thanks to the buyout, I can count on one hand the number of people left with any institutional knowledge of the city, its history, its people. All I can do is thank God for my new career and laugh at the typos, gaffs and inaccuracies that make it into print because there is no editing, no mentoring, no accountabiity, no time. And you want to send me online with this digital push? What a joke. The corporate template for the website stinks and is completely userUNFRIENDLY! And as far as updates go? That's another post!

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  4. Does anyone know how corporate will notify those who have applied for the buyout and when?

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  5. 10:12 If 3 are leaving from the info center does that mean boss AP will have to do some work for a change?

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  6. Here again are a few things to remember:
    -- The FY2012 budget was set with an assumption that 80 to 85 percent of those eligible for the buyouts will take it.
    -- If we didn't get enough to take the buyouts, group presidents will be directed to begin adjustments in Q2. If some sites or groups are lagging in revenue targets, they will be asked to trim payroll.
    -- Gone are the days of centralized, coordinated, company-wide days of pain. These reductions will be scattered and varied, done so in a way to avoid the big headlines (on this blog and elsewhere) and so that local site management (publishers, GMs) appear to be making a local decision.
    -- Furloughs remain in the budget for Q3 and, unless a miracle occurs, they will go forward.
    -- Some group presidents are lobbying Bob for furloughs as we know them to end. Options being pushed for FY2013: 1) Permanently reduce all salaries across the board to a level equal to what the Q1 and Q3 furloughs took away; 2) Add two unpaid weeks as a "benefit" that, in addition to vacation, could be scheduled throughout the year, rather than just being taken in a particular quarter.

    Remember that New Gannett must shed a third of its current employee base.

    Next up: The Fort Collins experiment. If it works to expectations, groups will be asked to roll it out to many of the NT32 sites (and some T32 sites), where digital expertise is weak and the only way we can get the skills we need is to start anew. And, of course, fewer people in the Info Centers as a result.

    None of this should be a surprise to careful readers of this blog. If you set aside the hyperbole, whining by current employees and gloating by those who have left, you can piece together from Jim's blog a fairly clear and consistent pattern of management by Bob and the USCP team. He's laid out the tenets of his vision again and again:
    -- Consolidation
    -- Centralization
    -- Outsourcing

    (I am not counting the USAT stuff in this assessment -- they are on a path that few can read on a map, such as the Sports Group)

    Frankly, I think Bob's moving too slow. The Band-Aid needs to be ripped off with one, clean jerk, rather than this slow drip-drip version of water torture. Stop trying to appear like employee morale or career investment are current priorities of the company: Just say what needs to be done, in loud, blunt detail, and get it done by the end of the year. Or, even better, the end of Q2. It will push out the unwilling and motivate those willing to stay.

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  7. They can't do 3Q furloughs and get sports sesectionals special sections out during football season

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  8. 11:26: I absolutely hate "The Times" website. I can never find anything I'm looking for on there so once Shreveport goes to a pay wall, I will be canceling my print subscription because I can get my local news from KSLA online. Actually, that's where I get most of my local news now because they are always the most current.

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  9. Cincy Buyout News

    http://www.citybeat.com/cincinnati/blog-3195-wilkinson_keating_leave_the_enquirer.html

    March 27th, 2012 By Kevin Osborne |

    Wilkinson, Keating Leave The Enquirer
    Among 26 people to accept buyout

    Political columnist Howard Wilkinson and longtime photographer Michael Keating are among the 26 employees who are leaving The Enquirer as part of a buyout deal.

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  10. This is very sad for those who feel they are being forced out. For many, it means a premature end to journalism careers that spanned 20 or 30 years.

    Perhaps for others, it means a pleasant escape from Gannett -- probably the worst media company in the last 30 years in terms of how it treats its employees. For these people, this nudge is a good thing. But I assume it's a small minority of folks who will be able to absorb the financial hit or are young or skilled enough to transition into another field.

    As Gannett continues its assault on its workforce, I hope none of us lose sight of the difficulties ahead for those who are lost, or even those who remain behind, working longer hours with little or no help.

    Gannett is making thousands of current and former employees pay the ultimate price for its mismanagement and for that ridiculous palace it built in one of the most expensive areas in the country. Regardless of the recession, Gannett could have saved people a lot of heartache if it hadn't been driven by unchecked egos and greed for so long. It was bad business for Gannett to be so short sighted and to try to "fix" the problem on the backs of its loyal employees. There appears to be no end to the buyouts, layoffs and furloughs. That's not on the economy or struggling industry ... that's on Gannett/USAT.

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  11. Is standard buyout two weeks for every year worked, up to 52 weeks? Any health coverage paid for X number of months? Accrued vacation time? Can you accrue sick days?

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  12. Yes
    Yes
    Yes
    No

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  13. From a new post at CityBeat, the independent weekly in Cincinnati:

    The Cincinnati Enquirer’s sole remaining editorial writer is among the employees who will be departing the newspaper as part of a round of “early retirement” buyouts.

    Executives accepted the buyout application submitted by Ray Cooklis, the newspaper’s editorial page editor, multiple sources have confirmed.

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  14. Thanks so much, 1:25.

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  15. Buyouts have ranged from one to three weeks a year. Union employees have received the best deals. Top managers have been treated the worst.
    Those disparities are part of the reason Gannett's layoffs are held in such low regard. Other companies were much more even-handed with employees. Gannett approached the cuts with little regard for the longevity, past loyalty and value of its most expensive employees. It chose to save a buck or two instead of serving the interests of its displaced workers.
    Shameful, yes, and it could have been avoided if someone at the top had the smarts to treat their longtime employees with a bit of dignity.
    I know several high-ranking editors with many years of service who were given one week of pay per year at papers where the union folks were given three weeks. Quite a betrayal, don't you think?

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    1. Where and when did union workers get three weeks?

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  16. Corporate could care less. It's a division thing. There is not a corporate EROP. Just sayin

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  17. I am counting what's left in our newsroom and I am curious to know what the plan is going forward. Exactly how will we get the paper out? We're down to 6 reporters, in a newsroom that had about 40 two decades ago, and 20 or so just a few years ago, and a dozen last year. And layoffs and furloughs are still on the table? Poke us with a stick -- we're dead!

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  18. buyouts are not official until April 2, Monday ,after Corporate reviews all those who accepted the buyout.

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  19. Not sure how many people in Phoenix took the buyout,though I know of one for sure.The word on the street is that they are going to get rid of all the in house service personnel e.g. electricians,plumbers,carpenters,HVAC and cleaners and farm them out to a company that employs underpaid and unskilled circus monkies.It is amazing to walk through ten floors of offices only to find 55% of the desks empty and managers pissing money away painting walls with mood colors and hanging all their IKEA lighting.They are only rearranging the deck chairs on the titanic!! It sucks watching everyone walk around with a black cloud over their head,wondering if they will still be able to make mortgage payments.At the same time,the useless mutts in human resources are running around smiling and whistling w/o a care in the world.

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    1. Human resources needs to be outsourced. Many hr jobs are becoming obsolete. There are to many in Phoenix just squatting in their position.

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  20. Cincinnati's alt weekly CityBeat has named the following Enquirer newsroom staff as taking buyout: Howard Wilkinson, Michael Keating, Ray Cooklis, Dave Caudill, Steve Kemme, Sue Lancaster, Bill Thompson, Tim Vondebrink. That's only 8 - 19 buyouts offered, anyone have any other names?

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  21. May God have mercy on the souls of those who didn't take the buyout. They dared to refuse the cash cow that management offered them in order to vacate the premises. The company simply does not want to pay the oldsters' salaries and four-week vacations anymore. To refuse was a serious slap in the face. Management ain't going to be happy with them.

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  22. Still waiting for my buyout offer, which I accepted, to be accepted by corporate...anyone have any info?

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  23. 2:48 - Like me, I am sure people realized that they would get more money from an age discrimination suit than they will from the buyout.

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  24. Still waiting here, too. Although I feel sure they will accept, I will feel a lot better once I have confirmation. Thing is, I know they're done and it is just like those corporate jerks to ruin our weekends. A$$holes to the end.

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  25. Louisville won't know until Monday, Apr. 2. No word on process for notification. Far more applied than will be accepted. Many are going to feel like "the left behind" while some co-workers are awarded a year-long vacation.

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  26. 4:43 - Quote some numbers minus legal fees. How long did it take?

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  27. I strongly recommend that anybody who refers to the newsroom as the "information center" stay with the company. You're exactly the kind of drones the corporate hacks love to have under their giant thumbs.

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  28. Gannett settles all age discrimination suits with a non-disclosure agreement. You're not going to get any numbers or any idea of how much the plaintiffs received. But keep in mind that your lawyer will take a third of any settlement.

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  29. Word in Phoenix is that of the 44 in the newsroom offered buyouts, only 22 have accepted. Those who declined have been given 10 more days to reconsider their position.
    You can only imagine what will happen in the next round of layoffs if these people don't cave.
    Totally and completely depressing.

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  30. Word in Phoenix is that of the 44 in the newsroom offered buyouts, only 22 have accepted. Those who declined have been given 10 more days to reconsider their position.
    You can only imagine what will happen in the next round of layoffs if these people don't cave.
    Totally and completely depressing.

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  31. Pensacola will announce Monday. We have 17 asked with 14 needed ,only 11 going. They should have told us today. Wow a 2 week notice. How do you train someone to take your job in 2 weeks that you have worked for years. It is very depressing.

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  32. In Phoenix, they will accept all 44 of the offers made in the News/Information Center. It seems that since all will be accepted, someone has already decided on whether or not you are needed. It would be interesting to hear why some have turned it down.

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  33. Please do buyouts at usa today. Youll clean house of dead weight eight quick.

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  34. 4 offered in St. Cloud Newsroom, only 1 is taking. Guess that means layoffs?

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  35. In the layoffs will the first targeted be the ones that turned down the buyout offer, the most recent hires, or the least favored? If the layoffs impact the folks that turned down the buyout offer, will it represent age discrimination?

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  36. Send off party set for Phoenix!No numbers or names yet except for about half in news have said yes to the buyout offer.

    Here's info from Randy Lovely sent to employees on 3/28: "We will plan an appropriate send-off to thank these talented individuals for all their contributions. Tentatively, mark your calendars for 3 p.m. on Friday, April 27. Confirmation of that date and more details to follow."

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  37. Is Der Bingle (not Crosby) at the APP taking the buyout? If his books sold as good as he claims, he's got the nestegg to say buh-bye.

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  38. Any body know about Life Ins. After you take buy out ?. Or retire

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  39. Last page of the EROP FAQs says "Life Insurance coverage terminates at the end of the month in which your active employment ends and will be subject to the plan's conversion/portability provisions".

    No details beyond that.

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  40. Iowa City: 1 of 2 known to have requested buyout. Other was still deciding until the last minute.

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  41. We just got told that the three of us here at our newspaper were accepted effective today. Our last day of work in Friday the 13th. (how appropriate)

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  42. 11:27 - I'm sorry. Seems like a cruel joke by those planning this buyout. Adding more insult to the experienced employees impacted by this "opportunity". Would have been easy enough to avoid that day.

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  43. Waiting on word from the Shreveport paper regarding who is going to get a buyout and also on the advertising department reorganization fiasco from a few weeks ago.

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  44. In response to 9:38's very clear - and scary - analysis: Only Gannett could consider selling what amounts to a 3% paycut to employees as a "benefit"! Yes, stop going for style points. No one still in Gannett (I am not) has any illusions about excellence or employees being your greatest resource. Get on with it. Yank the band aid off, and let the employees you are going to get rid of anyway get on with their next careers.

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  45. I just asked two people in Phoenix who didn't take the buyout if they were given extra time to decide and they both said indepently that that rumor is BS.

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  46. Democrat and Chronicle in Rochester, NY reports 18 long time employees taking the buyout
    http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20120402/NEWS01/120402005/18-D-C-employees-including-3-columnists-accept-retirement-offer?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Home

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  47. Courier-Journal newsroom loses several hundred years of institutional knowledge when buyouts take effect over next two weeks. Confirmed departures: husband-wife team of Sports Editor Harry Bryan and Features Editor Arlene Jacobsen; photog Pam Spaulding; Metro and state desk editors Mark Provano and Mike Upsall; biz reporter Pat Howington; projects reporter Ralph Dunlop; features writer Ken Neuhauser; Indiana columnist Dale Moss; editorial board members Steve Ford and Keith Runyon leaving one editorial writer); Unconfirmed: several more long-time reporters and several on copy desk. Anyone who has followed the C-J over the years knows that this is the damn close to the final nail in the coffin...

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  48. Buyouts have started in Wilmington. Everyone in the newsroom accepted so far. Among them, a designer, 2 copy editors, religion reporter, photographer who has been here 53 years.

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  49. For the record, spreadsheet says 8 maximum for Wilmington. Number will be a lot higher.

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  50. Yeah, that CJ newsroom is pretty much destroyed.

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  51. Oh my . . . when you see the list with all of those years of experience, it takes my breath away and makes me sad.

    Best wishes to each person that has accepted. Others have posted that life after Gannett is sweet! May it be that way for you.

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  52. Features editor, editorial page editor and photo editor in Shreveport going via buyouts.

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  53. Michael Kane should be the one retiring. An ass-kissing arrogant buffoon.

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  54. Any word on who's going in Phoenix?

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  55. Sharon Vega – IT
    Frank Theilacker - IT
    Beth Lyons – Advertising
    Julian Price - Advertising
    Mark DeCotis – News
    Sonna Shook – Admin

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  56. Last post was for Brevard.
    13 0ffered, 6 took it...

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  57. I see many familiar names among those forced into early retirement. Cold-blooded. The journalistic equivalent of euthanasia. I suspect that those who refused the buyout will next be blamed for layoffs and furloughs and a plague of locusts.

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  58. That is interesting, 7:42, since there are no HR people who actually work only in Phoenix. Their responsibilities transcend sites, divisions and states. In essence, it has been outsourced internally. Call the 800 number, etc.

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  59. Courier-Journal newsroom in Louisville takes a 17-person hit. That's a torpedo.

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  60. What's the word from the APP? Are the last of the pre-Gannett newscrew taking the offer?

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  61. 8:01 and others: Has management said anything about replacing these folks with less costly hires?

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  62. Wait-and-see approach in Shreveport with a newsroom reorg coming this summer. Remaining employees will take over the day-to-day editing/planning/copy flow work previously handled by the managers on top of other responsibilities.

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  63. Exec editor in Louisville says only 1 of 18 newsroom jobs will be replaced. It is a total disaster for the CJ.

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  64. Louisville originally said it would limit buyouts to 20 but ended up accepting all 26 who applied. Just another sign that the ship is sinking faster than people can be tossed overboard.

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  65. Staff meeting in Louisville today was so depressing. Nothing to indicate this won't keep happening. At the end, editor was asked if this saves us from layoffs. His response was, for today it does.

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  66. At least the publisher of the Democrat & Chronicle had the decency to publicly acknowledge the people who were leaving. Wonder if any other publisher will do same.

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  67. A tourniquet couldn't stop this hemorrhaging. Damn you Gannett.

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  68. The loss of veteran sports columnist Bob Matthews may very well cost the Rochester rag 5,000 subscriptions between now and baseball's all-star game in July.

    Bob and the "Doonesbury" strip were just about the last two reasons to buy the paper, and baseball was Bob's specialty, filling in the gaps on the USA Today-supplied page of daily boxscores.

    No one is indispensable, but in Rochester Bob is damn close.

    Just a matter of time before someone in town hires him to write a daily blog.

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  69. Thanks for posting, Bob. But shouldn't you be out looking for work?

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  70. Jim, to answer your question about replacing those opting for early retirement (buyout), experience tells me, that few, if any, will be replaced.

    The obvious reason for offering buyouts were so those positions could be refilled with a younger and less expensive hires, without opening the company to age biased lawsuits.

    The Gannett way is like a person falling off the roof of a 100 story building. First thought that goes through his mind is that this will end very badly. Halfway down he thinks to himself, so far so good...
    No vacated position has been filled within days. Most times months passes before there is any talk about posting it, and if or when it happens, more weeks and months goes by before interviews and finally hiring someone.
    Life will go on for those who are left, and they will do their best to pick up the slack (professional pride is an evil bitch), and larger departments are better off than the smaller ones, which can't absorb the added workload in the same way. It will be hell for some, but they will get through it, as long as they don't believe in the Easter Bunny.

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  71. Iowa City: 2 buyouts requested, both accepted. Jim Tvedte in IT (our only IT guys), Dave Sorenson in ads/production.

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  72. From Greenville. They wanted 17 of 23 offered to take buyouts, got 11

    Dear Greenville News Media Group colleagues:

    On February 9, Bob Dickey, president of Gannett’s U.S. Community Publishing division, announced that the company was offering a voluntary Early Retirement Opportunity Program to 665 eligible USCP employees, including 23 here in Greenville.

    Eleven of our colleagues decided to accept this offer and will be retiring in the next two weeks. They are:


    Rhonda Carey
    Til Shipman
    Sudie Gambrell
    Anna Simon
    Abe Hardesty
    Ralph Jeffrey
    Rudy Jones
    Gwinn Davis
    Jenny Munro
    Jan Phillips
    Ed McGranahan

    Words cannot fully express our gratitude to these colleagues for their huge contributions to our work over many, many years. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with each of them.

    I hope you will join me in the third floor meeting room on Monday, April 9 at 3:30 p.m. for a reception in honor of our retiring colleagues.

    In the meantime, please join me also in wishing them every happiness and continued great success as they move into a new phase of life

    Steve.

    Steven R. Brandt
    President & Publisher

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  73. From Louisville

    Courier-Journal grants buyouts to 26 employees — most in news


    http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/news/2012/04/02/courier-journal-grants-buyouts-to-26.html


    It’s unclear specifically who all accepted buyouts, however Business First has confirmed Keith Runyon, Larry Muhammad and Steve Ford are among those in the newsroom who accepted the buyouts.

    Runyon, editor of The Courier-Journal’s opinion page, as well as its books editor, confirmed to Business First he did accept Gannett’s offered buyout.

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  74. Those are a lot of great journalists leaving Rochester. Hard-working, smart professionals. Marcotte, Hare, Schwar, Zeigler, McNamara -- they were great, great colleagues. I hope they really & truly are in a position to take the buyout and enjoy life, rather than being pushed out and have to scramble to buy cat food.

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  75. The CJ is just destroyed and in a few months the exec editor is gonna walk out the door too and leave us with a newsroom on life-support.

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  76. The Rochester list is an impressive cord of really dead wood.

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  77. http://www.weku.fm/post/more-newspaper-cutbacks-lou

    More Newspaper Cutbacks in LOU
    By Gabe Bullard, Kentucky Public Radio

    WFPL has confirmed that the following Courier-Journal employees have accepted buyouts:

    Keith Runyon – Opinion page editor

    Steve Ford – Editor of editorials

    Ric Manning – Online Production Manager

    Larry Muhammad – Features writer

    Harry Bryan – Sports editor

    Mike Upsel – Metro Editor

    Patrick Howington – Reporter

    Arlene Jacobson – Special publications editor

    Ken Neuhauser – Features reporter

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  78. What's the buyout hit in Cherry Hill? Someone last week said more than a dozen, I think. Advertising? Newsroom?

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    1. 21 is the number being mentioned. Most in newsroom and a couple of long term folks in advertising. Unfortunately several of the useless ines that should go from advertising apparently will remain. Afterall, someone has to keep arranging the bar parties and word with friends games in company time!

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    2. Like Tom and Melissa and Stephanie?

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  79. Bob Matthews has hosted the #1 radio show in Rochester since at least the mid 1980s, and will continue to do so. I suspect he may write a blog for the radio's website,

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  80. Going cheaply-numerous, well used desks at the Greenville News 'Information Diminishing Center.'

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  81. So people are railing against Gannett for having the teremity to supply several hundred people who wanted to retire the means to actually retire?

    I suspect some, not all, but definitely some if not niost, of the people offered this opportunity were happy to take it. It's a good deal and it's likely better than what many if not all of the people upset with Gannett on this blog will receive. They are taking care of all of those who accepted for at least 40 weeks minimum. Several people not eligible wish they were eligible.

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  82. 1:41
    Well said, you could put me on the list who would have jumped all over this deal! GPS employees not involved I suspect because at our site and many other's were already short staffed and just barely have enough people to cover 2-3 shifts

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  83. This buyout is a lousy deal for anyone who doesn't have another job lined up, doesn't have a spouse to cover expensive health insurance and isn't close to getting social security benefits.

    Gannett gives a shit about older workers the way Mitt Romney cares about poor people and the unemployed. You are just a cost item on the ledger sheet who can be cut at anytime, no matter how productive you are.

    Nice management style you've initiatives, Gracia. Keep lousy executives in chagre and don't hold them accountable. Stop focusing on quality content. hire unproven wonders who don't deliver. And keep cut cut cutting away.

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  84. 3:09 - You are right. Retiring this much earlier than planned, particularly when most investments are just back to where they were in 2007, means a different kind of life in retirement than had been we'd worked to achieve. They can spin the "opportunity" any way they want but it's a shove out the door. It's clear that it will be better than staying around though.

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  85. Any news from Phoenix? What is taking so long now that we know the additional 10 days time wasn't a fact?

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  86. 2:51, that's what they told me with the buyout round before these: "We can't spare you, so while everyone else at your age is eligible you are not." And later just laid me off.

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  87. Phoenix had 70 offers. Why no news on who is going? Letting people twist in the wind a little longer, I guess.

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  88. There are more important things to see to in Phoenix-like what mood altering colors to paint the walls on floors 3-9 to boost morale and get your creative juices flowing along with what properties they can sell,though those are dwindling.Selling property , consolidations, reorganizations,buyouts and layoffs-very soon the well will be dry!

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  89. Pat Schwar -- the only man I've ever known who could smoke an entire cigarette in 3 drags. Amazing.

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  90. I think a lot of us who took the offer would have rather stayed because most of us aren't actually at retirement age yet. But looking at what our site has become and hearing rumurs of pending layoffs and 2Q furloughs, it was the best choice to make.

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  91. Evidently announced today by Zidich himself, who is visiting (oh, joy!), I'm told that altogether Reno accepted six buyouts in the news room and advertising. Two in one department and four in the other, but I do not know which figure for which. And there is great consternation as to how any work by an already bare bones staff is going to get done. I suggested that perhaps that's the point: so they can just close the place.

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  92. Louisville production departments not offered any buyout packages as of yet. Some of the old-timers or dinosaurs are willing to take an early package opening up the way for less expensive labor and help those on fragile ground or low seniority the opportunity to keep their jobs and support their families. Even though production is now part of GPS, it still actually puts out production for the Courier-Journal. Some printing jobs are printed for other Gannett papers, and some special local independent papers, yet the bulk of other production is strictly for the Courier-Journal. Contracts are or have expired, and negotiations are taking place. No telling what will come out of this.

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  93. I have to give a hats off to Steve Brandt, publisher. He did the decent thing and informed his employees what employees accepted the buy out and is actually have a reception to show them their years of service actually meant something. That is what a publisher should do. But ours had said nothing, not even a memo to his employees. Go figure.

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  94. Yes, one supervisor was told that one of his employees who took the buyout would be replaced but could not be replaced until that person was no longer with the company. I can email you privately about this Jim.

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  95. In Shreveport, add a long-time IT guy and a classified ad person to the buyout list, for a total of 5 from the 10 eligible. Publisher Don Bailey sent out the official email today (the same boilerplate as those above) with the names and a note that we'll have a farewell gathering April 12.

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  96. I agree with 8:39. That publisher at least did the decent thing in a very bad situation. In my site's earlier case there was no such recognition by the publisher of those same qualities, no thanks, no nothing. After all those years and those identical qualities of commitment and service, it was like being taken out behind the barn in the wee hours of the morning and shot.

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  97. Last year people were laid off and people complained. Now folks are offered 40 to. 52 weeks if they wish to retire and people complain how unfair that is. Yet the complainers are still here because no one else will hire them. Coincidence?

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  98. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  99. Random buyouts with pay. Mass layoffs where they give you nothing. What a gem of a company.

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  100. Shreveport is losing some of its most beloved reporters. With what is happening in their advertising department and now their newsroom and IT department, God help this paper. It is on life support. I am thinking about all of my former coworkers and wishing you luck with your current situation.

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  101. In an e-mail, a reader writes:

    These are some of the folks taking buyouts at The Arizona Republic in Phoenix. It's by no means a complete list. I think it's about half. But the names here are correct.

    Pat Kossan (metro reporter)
    Edythe Jensen (metro reporter)
    John Stanley (metro reporter)
    Donna Colletta (library)
    Connie Midey (features reporter)
    Jim Gintonio (sports reporter)
    Richard Nilsen (arts reporter)
    Larry Rodgers (music reporter)
    Mike Ryan (community manager)
    Vinton Supplee (metro editor)
    Stu Jenkins (copy editor)
    Mike B. Smith (copy editor)

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  102. Eight at The Clarion-Ledger, Jackson, MS are taking the buyout. One sports writer, Rick Cleveland, also landed the job of director of MS sports Hall of Fame after his newspaper retirement takes place.

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  103. Another one leaving the Arizona Republic is Betty Beard, who covers the economy for the business desk. She announced her departure on Facebook. That, plus Jim's earlier list, makes 13 of the 22 leaving from the newsroom. Who else?

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  104. The Phoenix IC will officially loose 25 total. Not sure of how many from other departments.

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  105. Bill Hermann is another to add to the Phoenix list.

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  106. Someone asked about Wisconsin early retirements.

    The two editors who worked nights in Fond du Lac; two reporters in Oahkosh; three editors in Sheboygan, two of whom rotated night shifts; and five in the Post Crescent newsroom, one of whom worked a night and weekend shift.

    I haven't heard about Green Bay, Manitowoc or Central.

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  107. That would be "Oshkosh."

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  108. From: Washburn, Carolyn
    Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2012 8:39 AM
    To: CIN-News Users; ohiodaily
    Subject: saying thank you to our new retirees


    It's official now. In the next couple of weeks we will say thank you and best wishes to these colleagues who have decided to take the company's early retirement offer. The complete group is, in no particular order:

    Dave Caudill
    Greg Noble
    Jim Rohrer
    Sue Lancaster
    Pat Tolzmann
    Tim Vonderbrink
    Bill Thompson
    Michael Keating
    Mike Boyer
    Steve Kemme
    Howard Wilkinson
    Ray Cooklis

    Ray will be here until April 27. Greg's last day in the office was a week or so ago, before a furlough and vacation. Everyone else will have their last day next Thursday, April 12.

    We will have a proper party in the 20th floor conference room on April 12 at 4pm.

    I'll meet with some small groups in the next few days and we'll have a full staff meeting the week of April 16 to talk about what's next, now that we are confirmed on who chose to retire. There is a plan. :)

    We will be very sad to say goodbye. But I am happy for these folks who decided this was the right thing for them.

    Thanks again to Dave, Greg, JR, Sue, Pat, Tim, Bill, Michael, Mike, Steve, Howard and Ray.

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  109. Word of those accepting buyouts in APP newsroom came out, long time Bonnie Delaney announced her acceptance in a gracious e-mail to co-workers. Other shockers, Fred Simmonds, the stalwart night side news editor who single handedly kept the APP competitive by turning hand stands to get breaking copy and last minute ads on line and Andrea Clurfeld, who was a Food critic and as of late on the Projects team, a very talented and smart journalist. All will be sorely missed, but who can blame them as content "evolution" is rolled out

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  110. The early retirement program is completed, and 24 dedicated news professionals will retire from our news team in the coming weeks. I extend a sincere thank you to each of these talented employees for their years of contributions to this profession. Their talents and skills will be missed.

    I apologize for the delay in sending out this note, but it was important that we communicate individually with each staff member before sending out information to the full organization.

    Please join me in congratulating the following journalists for their remarkable careers as we wish them well in retirement:

    Betty Beard
    Greg Beihl
    Donna Colletta
    Jim Gintonio
    Bill Hermann
    Kathleen Ingley
    Max Jarman
    Stu Jenkins
    Edythe Jensen
    Dan Kincaid
    Pat Kossan
    Connie Midey
    Penny Nichols
    Richard Nilsen
    Jean Novotny
    Larry Rodgers
    Michael Smith
    Tom Spratt
    John Stanley
    Vinton Supplee
    Art Thomason
    Pat Underwood
    Vic Vogel
    Ken Western

    Most of these individuals will retire as of Friday, April 20, with a several more leaving at various points into mid-May as we work with them to complete outstanding projects or make the necessary staffing adjustments.

    We're planning a retirement celebration for this group on Friday, April 27. More details to come in the next few days.

    Also, in the coming weeks we will move forward quickly to roll out our reorganization aimed at fully integrating our news gathering efforts with 12 News while also accelerating our digital efforts. At the center of the new structure is a steadfast commitment to watchdog reporting, storytelling and providing unique content on the topics of most important to Arizonans.

    The goal is to discuss the reorganization with each of you individually throughout the month of April so that everyone is clear on their roles and responsibilities going forward. In early May, we plan to host a series of staff meetings to share the full picture and answer your questions.

    As I have said before, I appreciate your patience while we work through this transition.

    Thanks.

    Randy

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  111. I'm impressed to see so many managers/editors announcing names of those getting buyouts.

    For some reason, USA Today kept a lid on all that information when we were cut loose in 2008. The paper wouldn't even tell those getting buyouts who the other "early retirees" were.

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    Replies
    1. Usa today has always lacked top down class. ever since quinn and dubill left.

      Delete
  112. Appleton employees who will be retiring are:

    Ruth Gilkay – Classified Sales Assistant

    Stan Feavel – Key Account Sales Executive

    Dan VanderPas – Assistant Sports Editor

    Tom Goff – Sports Reporter

    Bernie Peterson - Night Digital Content Editor

    Susan Draves - Editorial Assistant

    Mary Elfe – Credit and Collections Clerk

    Mary Kay Schroeder – Advertising Finance Clerk

    Steve Wentzel - Business Systems Specialist

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  113. 2 editors in fond du lac

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  114. Jackson, MS Clarion-Ledger accepted all eight of 11 employees who took buyout. Seven were from the newsroom, excuse me, "Information Center."

    Rick Cleveland -- Lead Sports Columnist

    Bobby Cleveland -- Outdoor Editor

    Bill Zimmerman -- Copy editor

    Jean Harris -- News Clerk

    Jim Ewing -- Editorial Writer

    David Hampton -- Editorial Director

    Earnest Hart -- Asst. Managing Editor

    "This week, eight employees of The Clarion-Ledger chose to accept an early retirement package offered to long-term employees," said Leslie Hurst, president and publisher of The Clarion-Ledger. "We are happy to have been able to give them a choice of continuing in their roles or moving on to new adventures."

    Then she goes on to say: "Also, we will be adding staff so we can continue to be the state's news leader and provide readers a more-enhanced experience on various media platforms."

    They have already started a "community voices" program where people from the "community" can tell their stories and feel better about themselves. No kidding!

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  115. Re: Wisconsin, I've heard that some of the day editors at the sites that are losing night editors are freaking because they might actually have to work nights now themselves.

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  116. How about someone in corporate letting us know what will happen to those who turn down the buyout?

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  117. Geez, does anyone think that HT at the APP will send out a gracious email about the staffers who are leaving? Better question, can he even recognize the people who are leaving?

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  118. 3:56 - Suggest you try to have one of your colleagues that received the EROP offer share the document with you. Looking at the lists by department will tell you a lot. For example, in Phoenix 44 out of the offers made will be accepted in News. In other departments, more offers were made than will be accepted. Acceptances are assigned by seniority so except in cases where the numbers are bigger and you may not know the people, you should know where you stand.

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  119. Also at APP - managing editor Gary Schoening and photographers Tim McCarthy and Pete Ackerman.

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  120. Has anyone that accepted the buyout actually gotten final paperwork? Were there any suprises?

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  121. APP folks -- did Der Bingle take the offer?

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  122. Gary Schoenig wow who gonna follow Hollis around? Maybe he can go to Kansas and follow his boy Skip around.

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  123. Gary Schoenig? Doesn't Hollis value yes men as much as Skip did?

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  124. I heard that Sam Siciliano, long of the APP ad dept., took the buyout. I worked in a different dept, but all I know is that this man spent his life trying to build up the APP. Good luck and best wishes to you, Sam.

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  125. To all the folks who were accepted good luck and God be with you.
    For the rest,when do the layoffs begin with no lifeline or benefits?
    More intense bloodletting to follow!

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  126. The Des Moines Register actually posted a brief online with names. Some big losses. http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20120405/NEWS/120405015/11-Register-employees-accept-retirement-offers

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  127. Any news on who got buyouts at the Desert Sun in Palm Springs?

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  128. The Des Moines losses are devastating to readers. It looks very clear that "information centers" and "content" have won out over quality reporting. The Register has now become fully Gannettized and its history as an award-winning, beloved, respected institution will be over on April 13.

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  129. I have heard of five APP newsroom employees taking the buyout, including Gary Schoenig, as well as the ad VP.

    Parsippany had two offers, one reporter and one not. The reporter, Abbott Koloff, has accepted and will be gone Friday, April 13.

    But Gannett New Jersey is supposedly hiring new web people ahead of the digital subscription model.

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  130. Abbott is gone! Words cannot express my joy.

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  131. Today's announcement at the Des Moines Register:

    FINANCE:
    Karen Zepeda, Administrative Assistant, 40 years
    Advertising:
    Ramona Fritz, Sales Account Manager, 35 years
    Janice Karnes, Outside Account Executive, 34 years

    NEWSROOM:
    Tom Alex, Sr. Reporter, 33 years
    Joanne Boeckman, Reporter, 23 years
    Dan Carr, Sr. Copy Editor, 30 years
    Dave Elbert, Columnist, 36 years
    Marc Hansen, Columnist, 33 years
    Tom Perry, Sr. Reporter, 36 years
    Sandy Walter, Editorial Page Asst., 27 years
    Tom Witosky, Investigative Writer, 33 years

    DESIGN STUDIO:
    Jody Horning, Designer III, 33 years
    Dave Rhein, Designer III, 40 years

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  132. Bingle as you call him is not leaving the APP.

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  133. 3:55 design studio people are leaving? Isn't that place the best thing since sliced white bread?

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  134. Great Falls Tribune accepted buyouts of six long-time newsroom employees, including its top editor, Gary Moseman. Link: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20120405/NEWS01/204050311/6-longtime-Trib-employees-taking-early-retirement

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  135. In Wilmington, Del., The News Journal accepted buyouts of 14 employees, including seven in the newsroom.

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  137. @3:38 p.m.: My, my it seems as is Abbott Koloff ruffled your feathers -- one sign of an excellent investigative reporter. I am filled with joy that Abbott will be able to take his talent where it may be appreciated. The Daily Record just had another nail driven into it's coffin by his departure on the 13th.

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  138. 11 accepted in Ft Myers. Too bad I wasn't one.

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  139. Hey i am in Ft Myers. If you aren't on the train towards what we will be in the future jump off this train. We need people that want to be successful. It is hard but we need to pick up and move forward with the right attitude!

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  140. His highness, G. Roger Strathbaum needs to go.

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  141. Here's the (casualty) list from Nashville:

    You are invited to a reception to honor our long term employees who recently accepted early voluntary retirement offers. Please come to wish them well and to recognize their important contributions to our company and the communities we serve.



    April 10th from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm

    2nd Floor Conference Room



    Honorees



    Executive Office:

    Tasoula Gaddis



    Finance:

    Jeanette Marshall

    Don Connor

    Wilma Hall

    Robert Raymer

    Joyce Richardson

    Brenda Morgan



    Advertising:

    Debbie Tyler (Dickson)

    Brenda Cook (Gallatin)

    Hugh Braddock (Robertson County)

    Christie Cherry

    Jackie Cooper

    Jean Clarke

    Wendell Pedigo



    IT:

    Pat Cannon

    Bill Harrison

    Rick Baldwin



    Operations:

    Bob Thompson

    Robert Edmondson “Speedy”



    Information Center:

    Larry Taft

    Susan Fink Frazier

    Anne Paine

    Tom Wood

    Fine people, all. We'll mis them.

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  142. Could we still call the newsroom the newsroom? Please?

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  143. RE; Phoenix Services staff being outsourced...that would be an incredible, short sighted, terrible decision. The building is clean and the staff has pride in keeping it that way. The electricians are the best and have incredible legacy knowledge..same for the rest of the services staff.

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  144. As someone who was not offered a buyout (despite 35 years with Gannett), I wonder how many who wanted one got turned down, and how they felt about that. I think I would rather be not offered at the very beginning than making a life-changing decision and then getting turned down. To me, that is morally corrupt, as is offering to many but not all who were qualified. Any thoughts?

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  145. 12:41 my wife who has 34 years with Gannett and is 61 years old was not offered the buyout in spite of the fact that she would have taken it. The method of picking who was offered the buyout just continues the way Gannett does things. Every time there is a layoff the package is different. They have not been consistent with their layoff package. So now if you do get laid off you have no idea what kind of deal you will get. The one thing you can count on is that it won't be as good as the ones previously. My wife will retire at the end of the year. Tired of dealing with no raises, pay cuts and furloughs. Gannett's answer to all of this. Just be thankful you have a job.

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  146. When does the bloodletting start?You hapless people who didn't take buyouts are digging your own grave,there's no end in sight.Why don't you leave on your own before Gannett makes the choice for you?I got out two years ago and now make six figures running my own business.

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  147. If you got a boyout and been told that yours was accepted, have you gotten anything in writing?

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  148. 8:33, that's insulting to every employee who busts their butt every day for a company that could care less about them.

    They want to be successful. Only Gannett doesn't have a clue how to be successful.

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  149. In Louisville, if you got the buyout, you received a manila envelope with a letter saying your offer had been accepted accompanied by a sheet of quick hit information. The signing was done when the offer sheet was turned into HR.

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  150. 1:29 - Oh my . . . and if you didn't get that manila envelope what does it mean? Was it handled differently in different places?

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  151. Gannett does not want to be successful. How can you not see the truth. The success they get is from bleeding the company to death.

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  152. Same at my site as in Louisville.

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  153. Nice note from John Zidich to Gannett Phoenix with the list of EROP employees leaving KPNX/Channel 12 and the Arizona Republic. In Phoenix, 70 buyout offers were made and there are 43 names on this list.
    ________________________________________
    From: Zidich, John
    Sent: Friday, April 06, 2012 5:04 PM
    To: Gannett Phoenix
    Subject: Thank You So Much

    Folks,

    As many of you know throughout this week managers met with each employee who volunteered for early retirement to confirm acceptance to this program. Those meetings and the days ahead will be bitter sweet as we begin to say goodbye to long term colleagues but celebrate their significant contributions and next phase in their lives.

    Earlier today I joined a group of folks for a farewell lunch. The stories they shared would make a great book. Even better was listening to the plans they have for the future. At least in this group no dust will gather under their feet. Travel will be a priority, back to school for a new career in healthcare, lots of family time and in one case several new career offers from existing clients. I look forward to more of these celebrations.

    Below are the long term employees who will leave us shortly. I want to recognize and thank you for the many years of service. Along with all your friends and associates at Republic Media, we wish you well! JZ


    Albert Sass
    Jacqueline Rossell
    Thomas Harner
    Ann Lane
    Candy Burkhart
    Darla Housner
    Anja Leah Johnson
    Janet Udall
    Linda Scott
    Ray Wong
    Coralee Scott
    Jeff Unger
    Mike Ryan
    Jim Guy
    Fred Heskett
    Donna Colletta
    Vinton Supplee
    Gregory Beihl
    Stephen Underwood
    Stuart Jenkins
    Daniel Kincaid
    Jean Novotny
    Michael Smith
    Victor Vogel
    Tom Spratt
    Kathleen Ingley
    Penny Nichols
    Max Jarman
    Connie Midey
    Larry Rodgers
    John Stanley
    Betty Beard
    Jim Gintonio
    Bill Hermann
    Edythe Jensen
    Pat Kossan
    Richard Nilsen
    Art Thomason
    Ken Western
    John Leppla
    Ron Score
    Jay Visnansky
    Joe Seil

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  154. At The AZ Republic,it is sad to see so many faces,forced to call it quits,for no other reason than corporate greed.The clowns on the 10th floor hide out, while stirring their cauldrons,coming up with new ways to increase their blood money bonuses.Now they seem to have decided to wipe out 20 or so people in services by farming it out to a mgmt co. to lower their operating costs,thus increasing their bonuses.The mgmt at The Republic are a greedy and cowardly group and all I can hope for is Karma to rear it's ugly head on them all-they all have a shelf life at Gannett and hopefully it runs out soon after they are done with their bloodletting.I hope they enjoy their Easter and their shiny silver pieces!

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  156. For those of us left behind.
    Wake up..
    we are just a #.
    Lousy pay.
    lousy Health benifits..
    lousy hours..
    Power in #'s people..
    Unionize if you are not already ...
    Work slow down...
    OOps.. Qaulity problems...
    Call in sick when Realy needed...OOps..
    A little pay back..
    everybody cares about there jobs..
    Big players are screwing you..
    Look for a better job...

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  157. I'm really sorry to read about the folks in Phoenix. on this list are many good acquaintances, colleagues and even the guy who hired me there.

    There is life after Gannett. It may take a while, but it will work out. Wish you all the best.

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  158. What's going on with Westchester? How many newsroom employees want the buyout?

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  159. Check out one name on the Republic list -- Mike Ryan. He was the paper's vice president in charge of suburban operations and a longtime Gannett employee, including many years as a sports writer and editor elsewhere. Have any other papers included a member of the operating committee in the buyouts? I'd bet that he gets replaced, while most of the newsroom staffers are not.

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  160. 12:41 and 8:34, our understanding was that unless a specific person was designated as critical to the organization (3 were in Phoenix, metro columnist Ed Montini, humor columnist Clay Thompson, and editorial cartoonist Steve Benson), if you were 56 or older and had 20 years experience, you legally HAD to be offered the buyout. How was this explained?

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  161. Bring on the buyouts at USA Today. Solve our problems today.

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  162. In Port Huron (MI), Jim Whymer has accepted a buyout and written a testimonial column to culminate his long career as Times Herald sports editor.

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  163. 7:10 (0n 4/5) said it best. I worked with Abbott Koloff. He was a pro through and through. And lay off Gary Schoenig. Show a little class to these people who took the hit so those left might dodge a lay-off. (Yes, before you flame me, I know that is not a given.)

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  164. 4-7-12 1:20pm. Not everyone who was 56 and had 20 years with the company was offered the buyout. AND THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION FOR IT. NONE. My wife's boss said they would talk later when she realized she was not offered the buyout, but it never happened. The ones who were not offered the buyout were never offered any kind of explanation of how they choose or did not chose the people to go.

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  165. Green Bay announced 4/9 that eight had accepted its buyouts, including two who joined up when Gannett bought The News-Chronicle and its sister papers.

    http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20120409/GPG03/204090440/Eight-opt-Gannett-buyouts?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

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  166. 1:18 Gary sat by as long time co workers got fired and mistreated and did nothing besides nod. He isnt taking a hit for anyone he is bailing because he hung on as long as he could.

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