This is the email sent out by the Indianapolis chapter of the Newspaper Guild concerning layoffs at The Indianapolis Star - a consequence of Gannett's financial problems:
Aug. 19, 2008
Guild-covered employees Mark Koenig (sports design), Greg Fisher (picture editor), Kathleen Singleton, Jonathon LaRosa (both north bureau paraprofessionals) and Mark C Morrow (sports desk) were let go this afternoon, per an announcement from Dennis Ryerson. Also let go
today were 2 newsroom employees exempt from the contract: Kelly Kendall, features editor, and Jim Herman, community editor.
The stated reason these positions were eliminated was due to financial pressures faced by Gannett. The Indianapolis Newspaper Guild regrets these layoffs and is working with our CWA-TNG (international) representatives to address contractual concerns, especially seniority.
Thanks to the contract, these exiting employees have first preference for re-employment within 2 years, but we are disappointed they are being forced to exit in the first place. We are also disappointed that our proposal on Aug. 15 to explore the idea of "volunteers" for buyouts was rejected by management.
Guild officers have scheduled a meeting Saturday morning at 10 a.m., 325 N. Delaware St. to discuss what support role we can play for our departing coworkers, one of whom (Mark) was on his second day on the job. Keep them in your thoughts, please.
– Abe Aamidor, president; DuJuan Carpenter and Vic Ryckaert, vice presidents; Sylvia Halladay, secretary; Tom Spalding, treasurer.
3 comments:
That stinks. They laid off two people here at the J&C ... not sure who, but no one from the newsroom.
Unless there is some conspicuous deadwood in the newsroom, that's the last place you should cut because it has the greatest impact on the quality of your product.
But then Gannett doesn't seem all that concerned about the quality of the product.
They're an excellent example of predatory beancounter-driven journalism.
Ironically, The Indy star is covered with help wanted ads for Gannett...
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