Around 11 in the editorial department took the buyouts, possibly 2 writers, 6 or 7 in advertising, 2 or 3 in finance, and 1 in Prepress/Operations.
The source tells me morale is horrible. "Everyone is sad, angry and on everyone's throats basically for any little mistake." Employees feel things will get worse. Some departments thought they were immune from layoffs and were shocked when they realized their jobs were in jeopardy. Oddly, the people who took the buyouts seem relieved because they don't have to worry about getting bad news every Friday or Monday. And people who stay take the risk they will be in the next "involuntary round."
Not long ago The Modesto Bee had 600 employees; soon the number will be below 200.
By the way, has anybody seen Gary Pruitt lately?Related:
Modesto Bee layoffs: buyouts offered to all full-time employees
List of McClatchy newspapers offering buyouts in August (bumped)
McClatchy implements company-wide wage freeze
McClatchy's rotten summer
5 comments:
I work for another MCClatchy paper that is doing the same thing.....we feel for you. Yes, it is time to go on with your life a forget it. Now if only Gary will have his do.
What will be next? let me take one guess. "Gannett freezes pension plan", will this be the next step McClatchy takes?.
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080611/gannett_pension.html?.v=2
If McClatchy froze the pension plan, that would really be a shock.
Bloody Monday brought the news that our department (press room) at the Mo. Bee was looking to be next and soon the news came that it was confirmed we were getting laid off. People treated us like we had the plague. The thought maybe was if I associate with them, then I'm next. Sorry to say, welcome to the club. Yes morale is bad...VERY VERY BAD...Some of my long time acquaintances have sincerely asked how we in the press room are doing and how it is affecting our lives. I know of a few who want to take the buyout, but want to wait and hope to get the layoff instead so they can collect unemployment pay.
The Modesto Bee building is only a few blocks away from the County Court house and County Jail. A recent article in the Bee was about how the Courthouse is in need of being replaced...what a prime location for the new county courthouse, with ample parking just across the street!
Yeah, where IS Gary Pruitt? Maybe he's hiding with Waldo.
Que Beethoven's Requiem Mass...too late to call the EMT's...Stock is on life support...What song you gonna sing now Pruitt? Will the Real Slim Shady Please Stand Up?
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