FROM: Orage Quarles III
DATE: October 13, 2009
SUBJECT: Voluntary Separation Program
As we have communicated over the last several months, we continue to operate in a time of great challenge and change at The News & Observer, at The McClatchy Company and within the newspaper industry. As you know, we have implemented a number of cost-control and reorganization measures including reducing our workforce, implementing a wage freeze and managing down vacation liabilities. Unfortunately, despite our progress, there is continued softness in our classified "Big 3" categories. While it does not appear that revenue is getting worse, we still are falling short of our projections. As a result, we must now look for additional expense reductions.
Today, The News & Observer is announcing a voluntary reduction program for several areas of our operation. As in the past, we have reviewed all positions in workgroups throughout the company and identified positions that may not need to be replaced if vacated, or where work can be consolidated, reorganized or streamlined. This selection is not a reflection of the value of anyone's work or personal contribution; it is a measure of changing technology, consolidation, and necessity.
Eligible employees will receive individual information packets later today and have until 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, to apply for the voluntary program. Employees chosen for this program will work through Friday, November 6, 2009, unless otherwise notified because of business needs.
We know these types of programs can be disruptive, so we respectively ask for your ongoing patience. If you have questions, please call or set up a time to talk to a member of Human Resources at 829-4854.
Thanks to the readers who sent this in.
.
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20 comments:
Whoa.
Don't know how you avoid bone with this round. The N&O tries to cover all of state govt, and ranges pretty for east -- as does circ -- for local govt coverage.
Moreover, if Raleigh is doing this, can Charlotte be far behind? They combined ops as much as possible I thought.
God help us all. I expect we're going to be hearing something similar on Wednesday in Rock Hill.
This does not sound good at all. These papers are cutting down to where they can go all-online with a skeleton staff. It's coming people - and soon.
What happened to "We cut too deep" after the layoffs a few months ago?
Watch out fellow McCrappy working stiffs. When they start sending out the corporate fill-in-the-blank form letters every McCrappy paper will also be in a world of shit. More layoffs coming at all papers. The question is when will the other corporate puppets known as "publishers" send out their permanent holiday greetings.
Still take the paper out of nostalgia mostly and love for the friends who continue to work there and are trying to a decent job with a skeletal staff. But if the paper keeps shrinking -- what's the point?
There's basically very little to read of interest. You can go through the paper in 10 minutes or less and most of it is stuff you already read online or saw on local TV. They need to address offering us something that we don't already know!
I still subscribe, too. It used to take 3/4 of the Sunday paper to line my kitty litter box. Now, it takes the Saturday and Sunday paper! They'd better not get rid of A.C., Ruth or Barry. Then, I'm done.
They need to reallocate some of their personnel to the website. Not enough bodies on that staff. Could do without some reporters still though. Merger with charlotte should've eliminated a few more features folks.
Hey 2:29, what do you have for cats? Mountain Lions?
It's funny how the folks who know the least about how to fill the news with information and stories and get it out there (i.e. do the work) will be the last to go. And what? They also have the largest salaries too? What a scam... It's the American (business) way.
2:52 PM Shit son, this is North Carolina where the Deer are the size of Dogs, Cats the size of Coons and Hogs the size of Cattle and the main ingredient of BBQ sauce is vinegar.
You never know what you're going to come up with in this state.
Two observations:
1. Apparently the word respectfully isn't in McClatchy's dictionary, to wit: "so we respectively ask for your ongoing patience." And neither is respect for employees.
2. The devious minds at corporate have cooked up a PR strategy: Cut jobs ASAP instead of waiting for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. That way the execs won't look like the heartless, lump-of-coal bastards that they really are. Happy Halloween, Now get your asses out in the street and in the unemployment line. Brilliant strategy guys. That will inspire confidence in the economy and convince your former employees to patronize your best advertisers during the Christmas season. Pru and his ship of fools and assorted "publishers" are doing their best to prolong the Great Recession while destroing newspapers from coast to coast.
Jat, The N&O pulled out of downeast long time ago. The last lone reporter was gone in the first buyout. Sad, really. Folks downeast loved the paper but N&O pturned its focus toward richer climes westerly years ago. But you're right.
What kind of job can it do covering local - and state - government?
Pity the people left behind. Alas, I speak from personal knowledge that there are still flakes there who do nothing, while the majority are working twice as hard. Management, of course, fails to see/ address this imbalance.
You're right 5:53. Linda Williams still has a job. But heck, she DOES, write a one or two sentence daynote once a week. I'm sure that taxes her beyond belief. But, at least she hasn't spelled any staffers names wrong in the past few months.
folks..the goal is keep their jobs because the upper management folks need to make the $150 plus to keep their families fed and in private school..Don't you understand.
charlotte observ has about 10 on our management team that probably make over that but the finance guy will give you loan from the paper if you beg or have a good story.
yeah..I heard those guys in production got a loan.Maybe we should line up before no one takes the buyouts that are coming..Hey at least the really good employees are getting out like silvestein, feosch, and russell. Hey guys if you have any openings where you are going maybe you could post them for us.
Rock Hill is a dump and the publisher is a joke. Is she really a publisher..probably not but she makes a good babysitter. If we get any more buyouts at rockhill there will be 2 people working here, the publisher and the ad manager.
why didn't charlotte just copy the letter from raleigh and send the darn thing out, we all know its coming.
The guys leaving are Silverstein, Foesch and Ferrell. All important players in their departments.
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