Thursday, October 8, 2009

Charlotte Observer laying off employees?... update: announcement at the end of the month?

Update: the latest word I have by email is the announcement will come at the end of October.

A reader emailed me that the Charlotte Observer is pink-slipping several dozen people.

I don't have confirmation. But if true, layoffs at the Observer don't come as a surprise: Jeff Taylor reported that a visit by Frank Whittaker the end of last month sparked layoff rumors.

If you have info, email me or post info in comments.

Update: one reader has only heard about a change in the way presses run at night.

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12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Only heard of a change in the way the presses run on most nights.

Anonymous said...

I remember when Gary Pruitt would visit the newsroom in Fresno. He hasn't had the balls to come out of his hole in awhile. You have a better chance of seeing Osama Bin Laden.

Anonymous said...

Interesting. Now that you mention it, the number of Gary's appearances are almost identical to the number of Osama's (not ours) released tapes. Coincidence?

Anonymous said...

The interactive VP fired the charlotte obsesrver last week too...he is moving on.

Anonymous said...

they need to do something about that guy who pretends to be the finance vp. he is the one who can't figure out what the financial picture will look like tomorrow, let alone for the month..he is a joke. that should a big savings maybe 4-5 jobs..

Anonymous said...

Thank God for Frank Whittaker..he is a breath of fresh air compared to Lynn Dickeson..she was weak, very nice but weak. Hopefully, Frank can set the observer straight and get these people in order and get a business plan..Some new leaders would be nice, the ones we have currently are all a joke..Guess everyone needs a job..LOL. These manager and VP's all complained about how much they hate it here and wish they could leave and get another job..well why don't they..because they can't, don't have any options...

Anonymous said...

ok here is a rumor
yep the press runs will be diffrent,
the big rumor is that they will be printing the WALLSTREET JOURNAL till they get the new upgrades on there presses,
also,the obs, has been looking for some one to out source the printing of the observer for
some time an the WSJ woulnt do it because McClatchy was to close to insolvent, for them to make the commitment for press up grades to accomidate the obs,
now i have hear there is two buyer for the property, an after the up grades are done at the WSJ the obs, will be outsourced to them, it makes sence now that the WSJ is doing the up grades

Anonymous said...

yeah..sure the presses will be run differently...with less people..get a clue

Anonymous said...

McClatchy would be much better off it they cleaned house of all top news managers at all its papers. They are no longer relevant in the digital age and most are burn-outs hoping to hang on until their kids are out of college. That is not the recipe for success and survival.

Anonymous said...

@6:29..Hanging out is an understatement. Some are such worthless and they know it. But it is a paycheck and no other business would hire them. The VP of fin is worthless and has caused so many financial problems and ethical issue at the paper that it is ridiculous that NO ONE has done anything but put up with it, my boss complains about him all the time. Why do we have a circulation department?? All we need a publisher and an operations vp, how much do you think that ads up to? McClatchy is such a joke.

Anonymous said...

Hey..I thought Rick was in charge..LOL Ask him, he will tell you what's going on.

Anonymous said...

Is someone buying the WSJ's property from the WSJ, is that what you mean by saying two buyers for the property? When will the Observer start being printed there? Will this effect more jobs at the Observer? When will the cost cutting end?