This blog is mainly about the spectacular train wreck at The Sacramento Bee and its parent company, the McClatchy Company. But I also post about current events, the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, politics, anything else that grabs my attention. Take a look around this blog, hope you enjoy it.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Tuesday March 24 -- Got news or a question? (bumped for afternoon info)
If you have news or a question, post it in comments. Afternoon rumors/updates are welcome. . . .
42 comments:
Anonymous
said...
Anybody know what kind of pay cuts Charlotte is giving its employees?
"Why the N&O won't be sold" - an explanation of McClatchy's predicament that clarified some things for me. At Words Assembled Well, http://www.gearino.com/
Today's the day that employees of the Olympian and the TNT will be told officially that they've been laid off -- I say "officially" because pretty much everyone who's going to be laid off knows they're going to be, just based on seniority and whether or not anyone took the voluntary layoff (no word if anyone did that I've heard). Friday will be the final day for those who are laid off.
While at NewsBusters I noticed this lead: --------- “-A Protest They Can Believe In After ignoring tea party protests, media eagerly cover anti-war lefties-” -------- The death of this crap can’t come soon enough!
You can see from this columnist's biting wit and keen observations why she is essential to The Kansas City Star (and has survived FOUR rounds of cuts):
Don't Let Your Job Define Your Life by Jenee Osterheldt March 22, 2009
While walking around Zona Rosa on a Saturday afternoon, I couldn’t help but notice all the teenagers and twentysomethings.
Not the ones walking around, carefree and shopping, but the working kids: the barista at Latte Land, the sales girls at Delia’s, the cashier at Forever 21.
Some are probably students, high school or college. Others are probably aspiring artists, entrepreneurs and young people with big dreams. No matter how different their paths, they all are working hard to get where they want to be.
I remember those days. Work meant money and money meant textbooks, clothes, food, dorm deposits and, eventually, a car....
I have to laugh about how I was laid off today... my job had been moved physically from one paper to another (although I was still working for the first paper), and my "handler" at the paper I'm working out of stopped at my desk to tell me that HR at the first paper needs me to stop by there on Friday to sign my final papers.
In response, I said, "OK, I guess this is my official notification that I'm laid off, eh?"
Fortunately it didn't come as a surprise to me at all... this is all too typical of what's been happening with this third series of layoffs.
I'm sitting here at The local Community College reading this as only 3 of the 16 pressmen at the McClatchy paper we worked for have found jobs. Retraining is better than sitting around looking for a min. wage job. To all the rest of you getting your notices, if you don't have something lined up...GO BACK TO SCHOOL! The sooner the better. The tech industries are opening up and as the older workforce retires these jobs are opening up. Look ahead and forget about what McClatchy has done to you. Get on with life and check in once in a while at McClatchy Watch to see the sad state of affairs, Known as McClatchy, is doing.
No chance of that. Most of what works at newspapers today are the leftover SCABs and Affirmative Action types who's method of fighting back consists of a temper tantrum, whining and name calling.
They're the soft byproduct of prosperity who believe that their Fine Arts degree is a ticket to entitlement in times of peace and the most formidable of weapons in war. Reality is they're the sum total of the dumbing down.
Just a comment......why don't most of us non McClatchy folks feel sorry for all the employee and ex-employee gripers and complainers and injustices being complained about. Now do you know how many of us felt about your product....and were totally ignored because you knew best. Maybe management now knows best by canning you. The unemployment line is so looooong. Take a book.
The Houston Chronicle today began layoffs of approximately 12 percent of its employees in an effort to reduce costs amid unprecedented change in the newspaper industry, Chronicle Publisher and President Jack Sweeney announced.
"As our newspaper continues to report the condition of the economy, we read about companies in all business categories adjusting their size to match current and projected revenues," Sweeney wrote to Chronicle employees. "The Houston Chronicle must do the same in spite of your diligent efforts."
The Chronicle will be providing severance packages, which include two weeks of pay for each year of service up to one year's pay, and career transition services to those employees affected.
New York Times sells TimesDaily in Alabama Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The New York Times Co. said Tuesday it is selling the TimesDaily newspaper in Florence, Ala., one of the smaller of 15 papers it counts in its regional media group.
Terms of the sale of the roughly 28,000-circulation daily and its Web site, TimesDaily.com, were not disclosed.
Among other papers in the Times' regional media group is the Sarasota Herald-Tribune in Florida and The Press Democrat in California.
The TimesDaily buyer is the Tennessee Valley Printing Company Inc., which publishes The Decatur Daily in nearby Decatur, Ala., and is owned by the Shelton family.
Decatur Daily general manager Clint Shelton said in a statement the transaction would "strengthen both newspapers through the synergies that we will achieve."
New York Times spokeswoman Catherine Mathis declined to comment on what would be done with the proceeds of the sale.
Like several other major publishers, the Times has been marshaling its cash to repay debts that have become more cumbersome amid a jarring decline in newspaper advertising sales.
What? The Houston Chronicle is laying people off? If one were to read this blog, one would think that it was only the evil MNI that was laying people off. There's no problem with the economy - it's just the general mismanagement and evilness of McClatchy that is causing all this. I'm so confused.
Heard on the local news today that the KC Star signed a printing deal with the Riverfront Times in STL. Still don't think that deal will help their financials much.
If one were to read this blog, one would think that it was only the evil MNI that was laying people off. .... I'm so confused.
--------------- You certainly are, but that is to be expected from someone who is stil a McClatchy bot at this late date.
Let me clear it up for you. "McClatchy Watch"
Do you see anything in that name that remotely resembles, "Houston Chronicle Watch", "Hearst Watch" or "The We Deflect for Mclatchy Lackeys Blog" I didn't think so.
On the brighter side, you'll soon be unemployed and forced to get up to speed. Might I suggest a class in spatial awareness?
If you're still working at a newspaper, you should really be training for another profession - especially if you're age 25-45. There's no future for you and a lot of heartache ahead. If you're older than 45ish, you're in worse shape. Higher-paid, experienced people are an endangered species and will be laid off in droves in the coming months.
6:24, you totally miss the point. Yes, McClatchy is dying and my job will probably end at some point. But it's not just this publishing company. It's not just this industry. The nation and the world economies are in the tanker and we're not the only company failing. People keep complaining about bad managers and how they've been around for ages.... yet, it's only been in the last 18 months or so that these inept managers are being blamed for sinking the company. Stop blaming a singular company for your job loss - it's more the blame of the housing bubble and short term investors on wall street.
2:47 How dare you call me a "SCAB" I worked in production, oh my God the low life, for almost 21 yrs. All of that in Press Maint., at S-T, most of that as supervisort to make sure the news got and we did'nt care how we felt and what was in the paper it had to go out. I lost may job in March. I don't Like Mcclatchy But don't you ever call me a SCAB
Just remember, if you lend a friend $1000, it is a liability until you are repaid. If a bank or mortgage company lends $500,000 on a property worth $200,000, it is considered an asset in the way that they are allowed to do their bookkeeping. Sort of like Confederate script during the Civil War. And people wonder where the economy went!!!!!!!!!
7:19 PM Which part of, "Most of" passed you by? If you never crossed your brother's picket line, good on you.
Actually the majority of the SCAB's reside primarily in the California papers and of course the infamous KC Star. If you're not one you know it, but, you know the old saying..."The lady doth protest too much, methinks."
8:43 Thanks I understand. But I wanted it understood this about prouction too and we did whatever it took to get the paper out the door. Now the equipment is going down hill. Once again Thxs.
If you're still working at a newspaper, you should really be training for another profession - especially if you're age 25-45. There's no future for you and a lot of heartache ahead.
March 24, 2009 6:29 PM
-------------------------
In case you didn't know this there are a lot of different positions at a paper. You have Janitors, secretary's, marketing, ad services, programming, IT, sales, and many more.
Many of these people do not have to retrain as their "professions" are still viable. You should rephrase to, if you are still working in the newsroom, you should retrain.
There are a lot of business in this area that have left instructions that no one with a job history with the local paper need apply.
Education looks better as your last place of employment than does the newspaper.
You want to transfer your skills, plan on being limited to government jobs because your history will net you a polite thank you and directions to the exit.
"There are a lot of business in this area that have left instructions that no one with a job history with the local paper need apply"
That's illegal.
Some of you haters just kill me. Do you hold all McDonald's employees responsible because McDonald's damages the environment? Are Keebler employees responsible because their products make kids fat? I bet not. But all McClatchy employees, even those in IT, finance, or payroll, are responsible for McClatchy's "liberal bias"? Bull.
7:04 you are an idiot. Look folks there are idiots on here who are prety bitter and are just looking to piss people off. Just ignore them.
I work in production also and have done it for over 15 years. It has been heart breaking not only watching all that work get torn apart but seeing friends go.
Some of these folks are right in that if you can get out and get some schooling it will help you. If school is not for you dont sweat it, production is the same concept no matter where its at and the biggest challenge will not be looking for work but accepting change.
12:08: Let's stop with the name calling. Perhaps in production, schooling is the answer to future employment. It isn't that much of an issue in my field. ~7:04
is your life that sad that you have to belittile other folks? if your so secure about your future why do you come to mcclatchy watch?
your a piece a shit man, most people see you for what you are. go ahead and hide behind anonymous blogging, im sure the folks that work with you already see you for what you are. i supose this is all you got to get you through the day. feeding off of other folks hardship.
One shoe still up in the air writes: “Stop blaming a singular company for your job loss - it's more the blame of the housing bubble and short term investors on wall street.” ---------- Let the other shoe drop man, blame the 2006 election and the Democrats for the housing bubble, forcing banks to give 100% home loans to unqualified buyers, started this whole ball rolling. Komrades Frank and Dodd available to service you.
BTW: Did everyone see the news article about Mrs. Dodd? @ Real Clear Politics "Dodd's Wife a Former Director of Bermuda-Based IPC Holdings, an AIG Controlled Company" By Kevin Rennie
is your life that sad that you have to belittile other folks?
You just don't like the message but it is you that were belittile (lol) other folks, not him.
What he/she said it true. We have that policy in effect where I work. Not for the same reason though. We got three applicants from our local paper who's educational backgrounds were complete fabrications. We were forced to face the fact that our local paper was either not verifying their employees qualifications or simply didn't care if they were lying.
We also do not hire MBA's under any circumstance. It is too expensive having to explain that "Yes, you do do that" more than once per day.
42 comments:
Anybody know what kind of pay cuts Charlotte is giving its employees?
"Why the N&O won't be sold" - an explanation of McClatchy's predicament that clarified some things for me. At Words Assembled Well, http://www.gearino.com/
Today's the day that employees of the Olympian and the TNT will be told officially that they've been laid off -- I say "officially" because pretty much everyone who's going to be laid off knows they're going to be, just based on seniority and whether or not anyone took the voluntary layoff (no word if anyone did that I've heard). Friday will be the final day for those who are laid off.
While at NewsBusters I noticed this lead:
---------
“-A Protest They Can Believe In
After ignoring tea party protests, media eagerly cover anti-war lefties-”
--------
The death of this crap can’t come soon enough!
You can see from this columnist's biting wit and keen observations why she is essential to The Kansas City Star (and has survived FOUR rounds of cuts):
Don't Let Your Job Define Your Life
by Jenee Osterheldt
March 22, 2009
While walking around Zona Rosa on a Saturday afternoon, I couldn’t help but notice all the teenagers and twentysomethings.
Not the ones walking around, carefree and shopping, but the working kids: the barista at Latte Land, the sales girls at Delia’s, the cashier at Forever 21.
Some are probably students, high school or college. Others are probably aspiring artists, entrepreneurs and young people with big dreams. No matter how different their paths, they all are working hard to get where they want to be.
I remember those days. Work meant money and money meant textbooks, clothes, food, dorm deposits and, eventually, a car....
http://tinyurl.com/dgz7t3
I have to laugh about how I was laid off today... my job had been moved physically from one paper to another (although I was still working for the first paper), and my "handler" at the paper I'm working out of stopped at my desk to tell me that HR at the first paper needs me to stop by there on Friday to sign my final papers.
In response, I said, "OK, I guess this is my official notification that I'm laid off, eh?"
Fortunately it didn't come as a surprise to me at all... this is all too typical of what's been happening with this third series of layoffs.
Third? The Star-Telegram just did round four.
I'm sitting here at The local Community College reading this as only 3 of the 16 pressmen at the McClatchy paper we worked for have found jobs. Retraining is better than sitting around looking for a min. wage job. To all the rest of you getting your notices, if you don't have something lined up...GO BACK TO SCHOOL! The sooner the better. The tech industries are opening up and as the older workforce retires these jobs are opening up. Look ahead and forget about what McClatchy has done to you. Get on with life and check in once in a while at McClatchy Watch to see the sad state of affairs, Known as McClatchy, is doing.
I'm surprised there has been no violence by the laid off employees for their shoddy treatment. Perhaps some kind of vandalism?
No chance of that. Most of what works at newspapers today are the leftover SCABs and Affirmative Action types who's method of fighting back consists of a temper tantrum, whining and name calling.
They're the soft byproduct of prosperity who believe that their Fine Arts degree is a ticket to entitlement in times of peace and the most formidable of weapons in war. Reality is they're the sum total of the dumbing down.
Just a comment......why don't most of us non McClatchy folks feel sorry for all the employee and ex-employee gripers and complainers and injustices being complained about. Now do you know how many of us felt about your product....and were totally ignored because you knew best. Maybe management now knows best by canning you. The unemployment line is so looooong. Take a book.
Yes its really shoddy treatment to give people 2 weeks severance for every year of service. Up to 6 mnths pay. What a dirty deal!
anon 3:44 Your right.
But where your an idiot, is it's your lousy lib news that no one buys that got them the two weeks per year of service.
Never forget, YOU did it to them
Houston Chronicle laying off 12% of employees
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 3:51:09 PM
The Houston Chronicle today began layoffs of approximately 12 percent of its employees in an effort to reduce costs amid unprecedented change in the newspaper industry, Chronicle Publisher and President Jack Sweeney announced.
"As our newspaper continues to report the condition of the economy, we read about companies in all business categories adjusting their size to match current and projected revenues," Sweeney wrote to Chronicle employees. "The Houston Chronicle must do the same in spite of your diligent efforts."
The Chronicle will be providing severance packages, which include two weeks of pay for each year of service up to one year's pay, and career transition services to those employees affected.
7:16 we are between 2.5 and 5% for regular employees 10% for over 1ooK
Anybody know what kind of pay cuts Charlotte is giving its employees?
I don't know for sure, but I'd guess they will be the cruelest cuts.
New York Times sells TimesDaily in Alabama Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The New York Times Co. said Tuesday it is selling the TimesDaily newspaper in Florence, Ala., one of the smaller of 15 papers it counts in its regional media group.
Terms of the sale of the roughly 28,000-circulation daily and its Web site, TimesDaily.com, were not disclosed.
Among other papers in the Times' regional media group is the Sarasota Herald-Tribune in Florida and The Press Democrat in California.
The TimesDaily buyer is the Tennessee Valley Printing Company Inc., which publishes The Decatur Daily in nearby Decatur, Ala., and is owned by the Shelton family.
Decatur Daily general manager Clint Shelton said in a statement the transaction would "strengthen both newspapers through the synergies that we will achieve."
New York Times spokeswoman Catherine Mathis declined to comment on what would be done with the proceeds of the sale.
Like several other major publishers, the Times has been marshaling its cash to repay debts that have become more cumbersome amid a jarring decline in newspaper advertising sales.
(Excerpt) Read more at finance.yahoo.com ...
What? The Houston Chronicle is laying people off? If one were to read this blog, one would think that it was only the evil MNI that was laying people off. There's no problem with the economy - it's just the general mismanagement and evilness of McClatchy that is causing all this. I'm so confused.
I love my job!!! I know it may be gone one day but The Charlotte Observer has been very good to me for the past 20+ years.
Heard on the local news today that the KC Star signed a printing deal with the Riverfront Times in STL. Still don't think that deal will help their financials much.
If one were to read this blog, one would think that it was only the evil MNI that was laying people off. .... I'm so confused.
---------------
You certainly are, but that is to be expected from someone who is stil a McClatchy bot at this late date.
Let me clear it up for you. "McClatchy Watch"
Do you see anything in that name that remotely resembles, "Houston Chronicle Watch", "Hearst Watch" or "The We Deflect for Mclatchy Lackeys Blog" I didn't think so.
On the brighter side, you'll soon be unemployed and forced to get up to speed. Might I suggest a class in spatial awareness?
If you're still working at a newspaper, you should really be training for another profession - especially if you're age 25-45. There's no future for you and a lot of heartache ahead. If you're older than 45ish, you're in worse shape. Higher-paid, experienced people are an endangered species and will be laid off in droves in the coming months.
Yup, citizen journalism is already here and they work for free.
6:24, you totally miss the point. Yes, McClatchy is dying and my job will probably end at some point. But it's not just this publishing company. It's not just this industry. The nation and the world economies are in the tanker and we're not the only company failing. People keep complaining about bad managers and how they've been around for ages.... yet, it's only been in the last 18 months or so that these inept managers are being blamed for sinking the company. Stop blaming a singular company for your job loss - it's more the blame of the housing bubble and short term investors on wall street.
2:47 How dare you call me a "SCAB" I worked in production, oh my God the low life, for almost 21 yrs. All of that in Press Maint., at S-T, most of that as supervisort to make sure the news got and we did'nt care how we felt and what was in the paper it had to go out.
I lost may job in March. I don't Like Mcclatchy But don't you ever call me a SCAB
Just remember, if you lend a friend $1000, it is a liability until you are repaid. If a bank or mortgage company lends $500,000 on a property worth $200,000, it is considered an asset in the way that they are allowed to do their bookkeeping. Sort of like Confederate script during the Civil War. And people wonder where the economy went!!!!!!!!!
At least H-C is giving a years pay fot those who have the time in.
7:19 PM Which part of, "Most of" passed you by? If you never crossed your brother's picket line, good on you.
Actually the majority of the SCAB's reside primarily in the California papers and of course the infamous KC Star. If you're not one you know it, but, you know the old saying..."The lady doth protest too much, methinks."
8:43 Thanks I understand. But I wanted it understood this about prouction too and we did whatever it took to get the paper out the door. Now the equipment is going down hill. Once again Thxs.
If you're still working at a newspaper, you should really be training for another profession - especially if you're age 25-45. There's no future for you and a lot of heartache ahead.
March 24, 2009 6:29 PM
-------------------------
In case you didn't know this there are a lot of different positions at a paper. You have Janitors, secretary's, marketing, ad services, programming, IT, sales, and many more.
Many of these people do not have to retrain as their "professions" are still viable. You should rephrase to, if you are still working in the newsroom, you should retrain.
There are a lot of business in this area that have left instructions that no one with a job history with the local paper need apply.
Education looks better as your last place of employment than does the newspaper.
You want to transfer your skills, plan on being limited to government jobs because your history will net you a polite thank you and directions to the exit.
"There are a lot of business in this area that have left instructions that no one with a job history with the local paper need apply"
That's illegal.
Some of you haters just kill me. Do you hold all McDonald's employees responsible because McDonald's damages the environment? Are Keebler employees responsible because their products make kids fat? I bet not. But all McClatchy employees, even those in IT, finance, or payroll, are responsible for McClatchy's "liberal bias"? Bull.
That's illegal.
Just how do you figure that moron? Are newspaper employees a race now? hahahaha
7:04, your an idiot, plain and simple!
...er... it's "you're", not "your".
Sincerely, 7:04 (who is neither angry nor an idiot)
7:04 you are an idiot. Look folks there are idiots on here who are prety bitter and are just looking to piss people off. Just ignore them.
I work in production also and have done it for over 15 years. It has been heart breaking not only watching all that work get torn apart but seeing friends go.
Some of these folks are right in that if you can get out and get some schooling it will help you. If school is not for you dont sweat it, production is the same concept no matter where its at and the biggest challenge will not be looking for work but accepting change.
"There are a lot of business in this area that have left instructions that no one with a job history with the local paper need apply."
Who, other than your friend Jim Bob at the bait shop?
12:08: Let's stop with the name calling. Perhaps in production, schooling is the answer to future employment. It isn't that much of an issue in my field.
~7:04
why are you on here 7:04?
is your life that sad that you have to belittile other folks? if your so secure about your future why do you come to mcclatchy watch?
your a piece a shit man, most people see you for what you are. go ahead and hide behind anonymous blogging, im sure the folks that work with you already see you for what you are. i supose this is all you got to get you through the day. feeding off of other folks hardship.
what a sad life.
12:15...I (12:08) didn't call anybody a name. Nor do I work in production.
One shoe still up in the air writes:
“Stop blaming a singular company for your job loss - it's more the blame of the housing bubble and short term investors on wall street.”
----------
Let the other shoe drop man, blame the 2006 election and the Democrats for the housing bubble, forcing banks to give 100% home loans to unqualified buyers, started this whole ball rolling. Komrades Frank and Dodd available to service you.
BTW: Did everyone see the news article about Mrs. Dodd?
@ Real Clear Politics
"Dodd's Wife a Former Director of Bermuda-Based IPC Holdings, an AIG Controlled Company"
By Kevin Rennie
is your life that sad that you have to belittile other folks?
You just don't like the message but it is you that were belittile (lol) other folks, not him.
What he/she said it true. We have that policy in effect where I work. Not for the same reason though. We got three applicants from our local paper who's educational backgrounds were complete fabrications. We were forced to face the fact that our local paper was either not verifying their employees qualifications or simply didn't care if they were lying.
We also do not hire MBA's under any circumstance. It is too expensive having to explain that "Yes, you do do that" more than once per day.
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