MORE from Hartford

I need to know a little more about the specifics here. They had to be sued by CURRENT employees? Or by people who had buyouts and got stiffed? If it's the former, every employee should have left the building and never come back.

 

Every employee or just every employee who didn't get paid?

I don't see much chance of every employee doing much of anything together anymore. Everyone is rightfully scared shitless for his own job and paycheck.

Oh, wait, maybe we'll see another byline strike someday somewhere. That's always powerful.

 

Heard from a reasonable source that "this" is supposed to happen within the week. Hope I'm wrong. Hope.

 

Regarding the ratio, you have to think in modern terms. At our shop, one of our "editors" is an artist who creates the graphics and fancy layouts that are part of our redesigned paper. Another "editor" is in charge of getting our stories and wire copy on the web site.

I don't know that nine for nine is a good ratio in any case, but nowadays we are past the simple layout, wires, rim and slot makeup on a copydesk.

 

I'm a little surprised that when the bean counters start mandating cuts, they don't start with the guys making the most money. I'm no Harvard economist, but why can two guys making 30K instead of one guy making 60K??

 

Better yet, can themselves, since they're making even more than 60K. Yeah, that's the ticket!

 

Well, the theory is right, but those are two benefits packages instead of one, in that scenario.

 

Meetings are starting today with management, who will be announcing "a smaller newspaper." Don't know if that means less people, smaller Web size, fewer sections, less newshole or all of the above.

Staffers there say the managing editor told employees last week that nobody's job was safe.

 

What about the ME's job?

 

M.E.'s have been cut at a pretty fast clip, too.

Fort Lauderdale ...... Newsday .......... Many others I'm sure.

 

Courant to cut 100, not sure about sports:

http://www.courant.com/business/hc-web-courantcuts0225,0,7696606.story

 

Well, shit I didn't see the other thread resuscitated.