Gannett Buyouts

I’ve been told no layoffs today (the layoffs that were promised in early December), only buyouts to “help” decrease the amount of layoffs. Layoffs will happen in the next couple of weeks.

 

Press release about Gannett being excited about the future despite challenging times in 3....2....

 

Thought the new policy on staff reductions was a kind of a don't ask, don't tell kind of thing.

 

Not all the Gannett papers are on the same cycle as far as acceptance of early-retirement packages and last days. There's probably going to be a single, stock-boosting layoff date.

Those who chose to take the buyout in Louisville, Indy, New Jersey, and a few other sites left yesterday. But those in Detroit have until Jan. 9 to accept the package, and it looks like those folks will be working until Jan. 23.

Cuts Coming to The Tennessean?
Layoffs and more buyouts planned at Detroit Free Press, Detroit News

 

Damn. They name a replacement?

 

At least three gone in Knoxville, including a 40-year veteran photographer. Paper's editor also announced his retirement a couple of weeks ago.

 

Got to be able to pay bonuses to the suits.

 

In Lafayette, Indiana, the lone photog and the news director took buyouts. Newsroom staff down to eight total people. (Edit: We also were told our open reporting position will remain so indefinitely, possibly permanently.)

 

I'd be interested in how many sites are losing open positions, too, which obviously has less of an impact than buying out or laying off people, but still has the same effect on the news organization going forward.

My local Gannett shop (and former employer) has had 4 news reporters leave in the last 9 months, and they have left those spots open. I'm told they are hoping, best-case scenario, to be able to fill 1 of those spots.

Currently, they have 8 news reporters, a 1-person sports staff and 2 photographers. Before the whole "apply for jobs" thing in late 2014, they had 17 news reporters, 4 sports reporters and 4 photogs. Plus a couple of part-time sports clerks and news assistants, which they no longer have.

Not to go all Fredrick, but manager (coach) staffing has remained the same - 4 managers overseeing a newsroom of 12 content creators.

 

One problem in Detroit is so many have taken buyouts, there aren’t a lot of candidates left

 

Three creators per manager? That's crazy.

 

Bill Vilona, who covered Florida State for many years, accepted the buyout in Pensacola.