Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette (South Carolina) to lay off 17

Two more of McClatchy's South Carolina newspapers announced layoffs Tuesday.

The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette are eliminating about 11 percent of their staff positions and reducing pay for all employees because the recession has cut into advertising revenues, the newspapers’ publisher said today.

The cuts are part of company-wide layoffs and cost-cutting measures announced Monday by parent company McClatchy Newspapers.

The two newspapers eliminated 17 positions, eight of which were open, publisher Sara Johnson Borton said. The papers had employed about 150 people.

The papers are also cutting wages for both hourly and salaried workers and making a host of other cost-cutting moves, Borton said.

Wage cuts range from 5 to 10%. Hourly employees cut back from 40 hours to 37.5 hours. Possible unpaid furloughs for all employees.

Other McClatchy newspapers in South Carolina who have announced layoffs: The State (Columbia) cut 38; The Herald (Rock Hill) cut 6; and The Sun News (Myrtle Beach) which cut 20. For a list of other McClatchy layoffs, click here.
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