The Kansas City Star, a sister publication of the Wichita Eagle, will lay off 50 employees throughout the company, Tracy Hazen, director of marketing, said Monday.
Hazen said that she doesn’t know how many of the layoffs are in The Star’s newsroom and that she doesn’t have a current count of employees at the newspaper.
This latest job reduction comes after The Star’s layoff of about 30 employees on September 17 in addition to roughly that many who had accepted the newspaper’s most recent early-buyout offer, Publisher Mark Zieman told employees in an internal e-mail on that date.
As noted earlier today, the layoffs are said to include some of the most talented and recognizable columnists at the KC Star.
.
Previous:
The axe is swinging at the Kansas City Star -- layoffs said to be "stunning"
65 employees leaving the Kansas City Star
.
.
.
29 comments:
If you went back to read what the marketing director was quoted to say last time, you will find that she did not know anything about the number of cuts and where they were. She didn't know how many employees the KC Star currently had. If somebody has the article that was posted in/on the Kansas City Business Journal this will confirm what I am saying. Why they quote somebody or have them speak on behalf of the Star when they claim to know nothing. THE REASON IS "THEY DON'T WANT YOU TO KNOW THE TRUTH".
Where this people given a buyout or lay off?
Tracy Hazan won't tell you anything. She is the same one they quoted last time. Please can't someone step up to the plate and be honest here. I bet Tracy Hazan still has her job.
Can you can believe it 'THE KC STAR WHITE ELEPHANT IS FOR SALE' per publishers letter to employees.
Does managment have a clue as to what their doing? I feel for the employees
They are layoffs as in involuntary. I.E. Notified, told to pack while someone hovers over you, and escorted out the door like a common criminal.
Leftist propagandist and advertising salesman Extraordinaire Mark Zieman et al states that no matter what, the the Star will continue to defend democracy. Thus, the only leftist hack to be canned was the one that only proselytized in pictures.
Of note, the only out of the closet Republican left at the Star, Laura Scott was canned after 30 years, but it is OK, she was a RINO at best. All the hard core leftists and race baiters responsible for the Star's demise remain firmly entrenched under San Francisco Doctrine.
The only thing they are trying to sell is what they call the circulation complex. It is really just an indoor garage. They installed a few tear down walls 30 years ago and called it a complex. It is a parking lot with running water.
Thanks 1:46 for the info. Can you give anymore information on other departments besides the newsroom on who the other 34.
...meanwhile, Jason Fatback, the Cheese Burger's nightmare will do double duty as, Clueless Sports Commentator, and Designated Editorial Race Baiter under direction and control of Louis Farrakan Disciple and VP in charge of Class Warfare Lewis "You can't call me socialist, I'm Black" Diuguid
1:46 I appreciate your infor but I think your wrong about the "Press Pavilion" it is for sale. I went back and reread employee's letter. Yes he talk about moving circulation back to headquarters main building but also said exploring sale of "press pavilion.
They don't have any intention of really selling their production plant. It is the only thing that they have worth anything, and, the only way that have of producing the paper. They gutted the press room under the original building and built the production plant (press pavillion) around the presses.
Their only hope would be if they could convince the Wall Street Journal or USA Today to buy it and then lease it back to them. They paid 250 million dollars for that plant when the entire corporation is worth under 200 million in market cap. No organization such as News Corp or Gannett is going to give them more than a fraction of what they paid.
Hell, they can't even sell the parking lots that they own.
> They paid 250 million dollars for that plant when the entire corporation is worth under 200 million in market cap.
Holy Shit.
They do want to sell the new "press Pavilion" then lease back the presses. Read the letter. They need the money!!!!McClatchy is about to go broke. They owe tons of money to the pension fund required by the government plus 2 billion for buying KR. They are broke.
Not only can they not sell the parking lot they can't sell papers either.
"They do want to sell the new "press Pavilion" then lease back the presses."
Incorrect, despite what the letter says. They want to sell the building and lease it back while maintaining ownership of the presses, which were custom built on site. It isn't going to happen.
No business person with even a lick of common sense is going to sink good money into such a situation where the tenet occupies 88% of the building and cannot be physically moved or kicked out. Especially one that in all likely hood will be in bankruptcy within a year.
You're right about the rest though. Over 50% of every single dime the company brings in goes to just paying the interest on their debt.
I agree 10:53 with your reason just shows you management can't even write a letter. I was just pointing out what he said in the letter. Sounds like a business opporunity that McClatchy would do. Like the one when they bought KR and didn't have the money to do it. Now the Star is having to pay the price.
Did each department have a cut?
How did the press people fair in the layoff?
I won't know until tonight or tomorrow who else got the ax, but the press room and mailing operation has been pretty much ravaged and loaded with part time incompetents and prison parolees for quite some time.
You want to know how the press room is. Today they shipped thousands of copies with a plate left over from the Sunday Star, in place of the daily TV Schedule. Uh huh, that is right. They left a plate on from two days previously. That would have been considered impossible not too long ago.
Hey 4:19 thanks for the information just kinda wanted to know about the press room and prepress. If you get any names would love to have them. I agree with you it is a mess. Hope you came out ok.
Do you know what kind of separation pay they got (how many weeks).
While ALL this is going on ASK how many VP's were chop? How many managers were chop? There you have your answer as to why they can't make a decent product for a decent price. There you got get "The good Old Boy Network Survives The Cut". Sad, and who makes the most money????
Loved reading the OBITS today.
Yesterday I told you all that The Star would not print in it's own paper the WHOLE story about the cuts of 50. I was right. Yes they had a story but not one mention of the individuals name or column cut. So the readers have NO IDEA what went on there yesterday.
Hate to say it but " I told you so". They don't care. No matter how you describe it they don't care. Just buy the damn paper and let the dead people (obits) write your story.
Hazan is a joke she never knows anything. The question is why does she speak for the Star.. You got it they don't want you to know anything. Hazen is just like them a loser.
Hey 4:19 yesterday any more information?
No word at all last night. Everyone is paranoid and the rumors are just running wild. There are a whole boat load of people off on Monday nights. Especially supervisors who would know the deal, so, everyone who is normally off are canned according to the rumor mill. Have 3 calls out to day side people but no word yet. Hmmm, might go hit the bar across the street. It is almost lunchtime.
Thanks 9:38 keep us informed.
Any news 9:38?
http://bottomlinecom.com/currentnews/bloodbathatkcstar.html
http://bottomlinecom.com/currentnews/bloodbathatkcstar.html
OK, the link I've been trying to post to a story on this mess is 'truncating', click on this:
http://bottomlinecom.com/
On the webpage that comes up, click on 'current news' and there's a story called 'Bloodbath at KC Star'
Hearne Christopher, Lee Judge, Flanagan and Laura Scott are gone.
From the site (above)
11-10-2008 (UPDATED REGULARLY)
HEARNE CHRISTOPHER, FLANNY, LEE JUDGE GET AXE AT STAR
The Kansas City Star is currently undergoing its fourth round of layoffs (terminations) this year and the cutbacks implemented today involve some of the most veteran and recognizable folks at the area's largest newspaper.
One reporter referred to it as a "journalistic bloodbath" in Kansas City with about 16 out of the 50 let go from the editorial side of the paper. For an excellent commentary on the sad situation check out the State of the Line site.
Reportedly officials at McClatchy Company, parent of the Star, have said many of the cutbacks can be attributed to the failure of the ill-fated RiseUp publication founded under former Publisher Art Brisbane and current Publisher Mark Zieman (see related story of RiseUp complaints from freelance writers).
Heading the list of editorial employees given pink slips included Hearne Christopher, Jr., who has written one of the most read columns at the newspaper for several years.
Jeffrey Flanagan, who wrote a "Top of the Mornin'" column in the Sports Department since 1996 (and most recently a blog), spent 19 years at the paper, including as a beat reporter for the University of Missouri, Kansas City Royals and as National Baseball reporter. His popular blog has already been taken down.
Laura Scott, Assistant Editorial Page Editor, who spent more than 30 years with the paper, including as an editorial columnist.
Lee Judge, who was nationally recognized as the Star's acerbic political cartoonist, was also given his walking papers. Judge was hired by the Star in 1981.
Others reported to us include:
Angela Curry ("At Your Service" columnist)
Greg Clark (Indep. Bureau Chief)
Les Weatherford
John Shultz
Tony Balandran
Monroe Dodd (former Managing Editor)
Jeanne Meyer
Mike Casey (Bus. Desk)
Kevin Hoffman (Indep.)
Stan Austin
Allen Holder (travel editor)
Kit Wagar (statehouse reporter)
From a blog called 'Another KC Blog' a list and some shadenfreude:
Most satisfying: Hearne Christopher Jr. A pretty good read, but when the first reaction of all respondents in my unscientific poll is “couldn’t happen to a more deserving bastard,” perhaps its time to reassess how you manage your personal relationships.
Least satisfying: Lee Judge. Entertaining & talented. Obviously not watchwords at the Star as evidenced by the continued employment of Jeneé Osterheldt. Seriously, she makes my eyes bleed.
Jump for the full list.
Hearne Christopher, Jr.,
Jeffrey Flanagan
Laura Scott, Assistant Editorial Page Editor
Lee Judge, Editorial Cartoonist
Angela Curry (”At Your Service” columnist)
Alan Holder
Greg Clark (Indep. Bureau Chief)
Les Weatherford
John Shultz
Tony Balandran
Monroe Dodd
Jeanne Meyer
Mike Casey (Bus. Desk)
John Schultz
Kevin Hoffman (Indep.)
Stan Austin
Allen Holder (travel editor)
Kit Wagar (statehouse reporter)
http://anotherkcblog.wordpress.com/2008/11/10/bloodbath-at-the-star-abouhalkah-hoopz-osterheldt-still-employed/#more-823
How about some names from different departments we all ready have the list from the newsroom. Thanks
Post a Comment