Gannett buys Journal Media Group

At the Tribune paper in my area, there are several reporters in that age range who have made names for themselves over the years and would do quite well as freelancers, or possibly in PR. Might be tougher for copy editors and designers.

It also should be mentioned that those retiree health benefits are not a free lunch, although they're likely cheaper than most options on the individual market. A friend of mine who was laid off by a Trib paper at age 58 got to keep his retiree health benefits as part of the severance package. But the premiums were about $500 a month to insure him and his wife, and the insurer jacked up the premium after he had glaucoma surgery.

 

It's not only a threat that they may be laid off (presumably without getting similar severance package) it's also a threat that other, perhaps more vulnerable, staffers will get the axe if they don't jump.

You couldn't do a round of layoffs and target everyone over 55.

That would initiate a lawsuit that could be so damanging, it might cut into the executive bonuses.

 

He's just following the First Five Grafs training.

 

This is correct.

 

Chief People Officer.

Gotta write it again to let that digest.

Chief People Officer.

Who the fuck have we become?

 

Like the whole fucking "disrupting the news" meme.

 

It's not "We". It's Gannett. The company that renamed "newsrooms" as "Local Information Centers", then renamed them as "Newsrooms of the Future."

 

That isn't only Gannett.

 

The only reason to stay at a news paper when it's bought by Gannett is to write a book about corporate bloodletting. Not saying the book will sell, but you'll find out so much about how a clueless company will ruin a newspaper. It would be a very educational year if you don't care about having to endure your own firing/layoff. I mean if Gannett buys your paper, there's absolutely no reason to stay unless you want to experience first hand the ridiculous policies of a clueless organization ruining a news organization.

 

Paying the bills might, just might, be another reason to stay.

 

Gannett has essentially turned life into a reality show at the papers it buys. From the day the sale is final, everyone is on the block and sooner or later they're all going to be eliminated. Only thing is, there's no moment of glory or grand prize at the end.