Tierney & Co. Move Towards Spin Control As Heads Roll
The announcements began last night as editors called employees at home. The news will become official today when top editors begin a series of meetings with each department. With The Inquirer’s advertising revenue and circulation down, employees have known for months that layoffs were coming and have been finding their place on the seniority list so that they could try to make plans.“The guillotine has finally fallen,” said Dawn Fallik, 36, a medical reporter for The Inquirer who has been at the paper for four years and will be laid off. “In a way, it’s kind of a relief.”
Ah, yes, that sweet relief. But what about the fact that one of the layoffs was ‚Äî get this for irony ‚Äî the Inky’s gambling reporter? Nah, they won’t be needing that guy.
NYTimes: What Happens In Philly Stays In Philly
And after the jump, the latest Guild memo, which among other things, gives you the number you need in case ‚Äî you know, just in case ‚Äî you’re an Inky staffer who wants to be laid off.
The following message went to Newspaper Guild members Wednesday morning. I am told the layoff number is 71 (in the Inquirer newsroom). The Guild is seeking volunteers for voluntary layoff.
For futher information, contact Frank Santafede or Bill Ross at the Guild office at [REDACTED], as they are close to the situation and I am not. — Stu Bykofsky [REDACTED]
Layoff notices to go out
Wednesday 8 A.M.
The Guild was told late today (Tuesday) that the Company will present it with layoff specifics at 8 a.m. tomorrow (Wednesday) . The Guild will then begin the process of comparing the Company’s layoff lists for possible discrepancies with the Guild’s own data on members’ hire dates and their seniority. The layoffs are expected to take affect approximately 15 days later.
Just as the Guild stepped up and provided the company with the relief it sought at the bargaining table in the recent contract negotiations, it expects the company to step up and honor the Guild’s request to achieve as many reductions as possible through voluntary separation.
As stated under Article 27.8 of the contract, “In the case of a reduction in the force, any employee who would not be displaced may volunteer to be dismissed …. In such cases, severance would be paid.”
Employees IN ANY DEPARTMENT interested in a voluntary layoff are urged to call the Guild office immediately at [REDACTED] and ask for either Frank Santafede or Bill Ross. In the event Frank or Bill cannot be reached, please leave your name and contact information on their voice mail.
