Star-Ledger N.J.: buyout of 200 or bust

We'll see if Kushner's a tire-kicker, or something more.

 

So let me get this straight: Regardless of years of service, everyone will have the opportunity to take one year's salary and one year's health insurance to walk away?

Sign me up!

 

With my paper we're told that if we don't get 25 people to take the buyout, the Ledger doesn't get the union concessions and their 200 voluntary buyouts, then no buyouts will be accepted.

 

Are the 200 throughout the paper? Or only editorial?

 

Both figures -- 200 and 25 are throughout the respective papers. Each newsroom has a target number, but I don't know what that target is.

 

lopping 200 people is a matter of survival, Arwady says they'll lost $50 million this year, yet "Team Star-Ledger" is in Beijing...3 writers, 2 photogs/vidoegraphers.

Some one please justify this to me.

http://www.nj.com/olympics/index.ssf/2008/08/team_ledger_goes_to_great_wall.html

 

If my shop had that deal, I'd sign up in a heartbeat. And then hopefully find a new career.

 

Me, too.

 

It's a secret plot to keep them employed at the Ledger, with a hope that they become political prisoners and then get released Oct. 2, a day too late to sign the buyout.

 

UPDATE:

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003848262

The first part of the article:

 

This will not fare well. There is plenty of newsroom deadwood but when heads begin to roll, the deadwood won't be touched. Of all the cash cows in this industry, there's absolutely no reason for the Star-Leger to be in such dire straights as the publisher wants everyone to believe.

 

I guess i'm surprised more people are taking the buyout. I know everyone hopes they would be spared, but if they're threatening to shut down the paper, why stay aboard the Titanic if the crew is escorting you to one of the lifeboats.