Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Desperation, anger at the Modesto Bee...

I'm getting more feedback from readers in Modesto about the despair engulfing the Modesto Bee since the most recent buyout program was announced 2 weeks ago.

Modesto Bee employees are reporting morale has sunk so low, some employees wonder if somebody will "go off."

The atmosphere is like a morgue. "Those of us 'locked into working our last month' are hoping that the transition to the Sacramento plant happens sooner than the 29th." Vehicles that need fixing aren't getting repaired, staff have to take out their own trash due to janitorial cuts. The potted plants inside the building have been taken back. Staff have to deal with rumors and backstabbing.

Employees have zero confidence in Modesto Bee editor Mark Vasché or Modesto Bee president Margaret Randazzo. McClatchy CEO Gary Pruitt is persona non grata.

You want to know how Bee employees feel about McClatchy CEO Gary Pruitt? Here are some quotes from the comments over the last week:

"What a sorry mess Gary and his bandits have left."

"Look at what the CEO has done AND how much he is getting paid to do it. HEY GARY...It's BUY LOW AND SELL HIGH...NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND, EVEN MY 10 YEAR OLD KNOWS THAT!!! Fire the bum!"

"He has in the past given us a rosy picture of how the company is doing... it is more like Nero... He's fiddling while "Rome" burns."

Your thoughts? Sound off in the comments section.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

KC Star feels the same. They have laid off so many the ones left are working 16 hours a day.......the India folks can't get the jobs done on time. It dosen't matter only head count and getting rid of long timers with good pay. They have ads in the paper now for some replacements $7.00 hr. That's Gary and his bandits doing what they are good at.

Anonymous said...

Yep second that on the India ads...they don't know a Chevy from a Hyundai...ads come back only to be fixed by regular employees. Maybe we'll have a continental shift that will put India in our back yard then we can get new jobs that we are qualified at...oh, but low pay and high benefit premiums...unemployment sounds better!

Anonymous said...

...I, for one, am glad the Bee has pulled it's troops out of Modesto province and turned it over to the Iraqi's. The Liberal press is everywhere in retreat, and that's good for the country!

Anonymous said...

Wow, you have a great source. I just called the Bee this morning. I wonder if our ad rep will be leaving.

Anonymous said...

This is how I see the two articles the past two Sunday's in the Modesto Bee from Margaret Randazzo and Mark Vasché about the Modesto Bee. They remind me of Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf aka Baghdad BOB, remember him telling his country that there are no americans in Baghdad the colorful Iraqi diplomat we seen on television many times. Well that's Mark Vasché we will call him Modesto Bee Bob
He is trying to make everything look like things are changing for the better and we will be around for many days to come. Well just like the american Soldiers came knocking on the Baghdad's doorsteps that day when Baghdad Bob was talking to his people. The Sacramento Bee "Sept 29" is knocking on the Modesto Bee's Doorstep. Well be prepared for the changing of the guard. It's going to be a sad day for the Modesto Bee its employees and the Modesto Community

Anonymous said...

Hurricane Gustov should have been named Hurricane Gary...in honor of the mass destruction and devastation he has left in his wake...KC Star anon has some insight as to the most vulnerable...those with long time service and bigger paychecks...that's what bloody Monday brought at the Mo Bee...too bad they didn't look in the right places, they could have done better. The McClatchy company has also a history of going after unions. When C.K. and Eleanore had the reigns, the unions were strong, company loyalty was also strong. Old timers tell of Eleanore walking the halls and visiting the departments, she knew most employees by name and their families too. McClatchy goes and the bean counters take over...company goes public...stupidity, greed and egos ensue and WHOOPS... there goes the company. Hey Gary...here's a song for you...The Beetles classic...(You're) a real nowhere man...

Anonymous said...

Hey Gary, take some advice from your old friend Lenny Kravitz Where are we Runnin'...
Fast lane
High speed
On the grind
24/7
No time
Always runnin' here and there
Chasin' the money
So much jibber jabbers
Cloggin' up our soul

In style
Profile
Got to buy
The new Cavalli
Keep the skin tight
And the booty in the air
Don't stop the party
The road is paved but narrow
I hope we all get home
...Gary, STOP runnin' and start runnin' the company before it's too late, or just suck it up and step down with your tail between your legs!