Sun-Times newsroom staff faces 35 layoffs

[flashl]

Source: Chicago Tribune

Plan is part of move to save $50 million

Chicago Sun-Times executives told the union representing reporters, copy editors and columnists at the paper that it intends to eliminate 35 union positions in the newsroom. Five non-union management jobs also may be cut, sources said.

The newspaper's plan was outlined in a hand-delivered letter Thursday from Sun-Times labor relations chief Ted Rilea to the Chicago Newspaper Guild.

The proposed cuts, which would be one of the worst newsroom purges there in recent memory, are part of a plan the newspaper's parent, Sun-Times Media Group Inc., announced in December to reduce operating costs by $50 million this year as the company's financial picture worsens.

...

Within the six groups of job classifications affected, only photographers and writers of "major sports" appear to be spared, according to the letter.

...

Sources said that the union may try to offer to cut back the number of days some employees work as an alternative to layoffs, though that couldn't be confirmed Friday. Another alternative may be proposed buyouts.

Chicago Tribune - Read Full Text

Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-sat_suntimes0105jan05,0,2557209.story

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Less news more sports it seems.

[MADem]

1. Is that paper a fishwrapper? What's its bias? nt

[flashl]

2. I am not sure about the paper, the layoffs is what my attention.

[MADem]

6. The reason I asked is because sometimes, if the views of the periodical aren't resonating, that

can cause a decrease in circulation. That, then, leads to layoffs.

[Paulie]

4. The Trib is the fish wrap

The Sun-Times is trying to remake itself to it's original progressive voice. Read this from the Editor: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20070715/ai_n19369715

Here's a snip:

Our progressive voice of reason and passion reflects city's strength

Cheryl L. Reed
he word liberal carries a lot of baggage, so I'm discovering.

On Tuesday, I announced our new initiatives on the editorial and opinion pages, which include diversifying our board, adopting signed editorials, adding new columns and saying good-bye to others while introducing a more modern format.

Our motive is to engage readers by offering a contemporary commentary section, and part of that involves a return to our progressive roots.

Most of you applauded this move in this very blue city in a very blue state. Like us, you wanted more diversity of opinions, more vigorous debate about the important issues facing our city and nation. Some pleaded with me not to let our editorial board become a collection of knee-jerk ideologues who push "tax-and- spend" solutions. You pointed out that many "liberals" don't agree with "working-class" folks and wondered how I'd be conjoining these points of view.
<...>

[LaStrega]

3. the Star Tribune ...

has offered a buyout to nearly 60 journalists, editors and columnists (all union). The company total number of layoffs and buyouts (union and non-union) is over 500.

I fucking hate my career decision. But how could I have known, all the way back in 1984 when I first began working for the Des Moines Register, that it would go soooooo far downhill?

*fumes*

[ohio2007]

5. Nobody is buying what they are selling. How many workers and staff do they employ

that are also going to be yesterday's news?

Separately, the company said Thursday that it was parting ways with John Martin, its vice president of advertising. The paper's top advertising executive had been in the post only since January 2007